Cal-State Auto Service

I am rejecting this response because: we asked for a diagnosis, this man tore down my vehicle and refused to put it back together! I refused to puck up a vehicle in pieces and I brought in a vehicle in one piece.Attached is my receipt*** and I are the registered owners! *** nor I authorized a tear downI refused to take the car until he put it back together! He refused, and I left it is there! I am in Sacramento, the repair shop called *** in Southern California to inform him of the break in, why when I was 2, blocks awayNone of this would have happened if 1) shop owner would've spoken to meHe never talked to me! I wanted my car reassembled and he didn't, now the car has more parts off and I believe he took the parts see the schematic in the hood, wasn't there prior, he is totally responsible for thisThere's no battery, all the parts in the box are gone major parts also are missing! I didn't take possessions because that's not how I brought it into the shopHe's not telling the truth, I have witnesses to the contrary! He is totally responsible for the trucks demise

I am rejecting this response because:I brought the vehicle in for a diagnosis the fact that they're stating the battery was dead it was a brand new battery I had just placed in the vehicle due to the maintenance that was already done on the vehicle is the reason I needed the diagnosis now my brand new battery all the parts that I have purchased prior to bringing the vehicl are parts that we didn't even need to be removed are removed this shop needs to be held accountable he's lying saying that the battery was dead subsequently my vehicle was vandalized at his shop because he tore my vehicle down and all I asked for was a diagnosis if necessary we will go to courtI want my vehicle or a another vehicle in running condition with all the parts because they tore down my car, and I paid for a diagnosis and didn't get itthe repair shop needs to be held accountable because they tore my vehicle down and that is not what I request it I needed two codes

Business states that vehicle was towed to establishment with a dead batteryEvery time a battery dies codes are erased, therefore no codes were availableBattery needed to be recharged and vehicle components removed to properly diagnose vehicleAfter inspecting the vehicle, a fire hazard was found and customer was informed of the findingsBusiness let customer know all actions were for the safe operation of the vehicleCustomer stated that they did not have the necessary funds to make the needed repairs at the moment so they were informed to tow vehicle home and come back when they had the funds availableThey decided to leave the vehicle in a nearby alley and it was broken into a month laterCustomer was informed and approved of diagnostic work done to the vehicleUnfortunately, for safety reasons the necessary actions were taken

Thank you for the opportunity to tell you my side of the story. Here is what happened. Prior to 10/16/14, *** (registered owner) called and asked for the cost of a diagnosis of a Oldsmobile. I told him that the diagnosis would cost $95; *** said ok On 10/16/
*** towed the car in and signed the agreement for the diagnosis. On 10/20/14, I performed my diagnosis by removing the spark plugs and found gasoline flooded the engine cylinders. I suspected a leakage in the fuel injector assembly so I removed the upper intake manifold to confirm the fuel injector leakage problem. So I called *** to inform her of the fuel injector leakage problem and let her know that the estimate cost of the repair would be around $700. *** said that she has no money for the repair and wanted me to put the leaked fuel injector back. I told her that the leaked fuel injector could cause fire if you try to start the car. Therefore, I did not put the leaked fuel injector back due to the potential fire hazard and for the safety of the customer. On 10/22/14, *** came in to pay for the diagnosis and picked up the car. I gave the customer the receipt for the diagnosis and her car key. *** and her two friends decided to push the car to the adjacent property. *** told me that she would be back in a few days when she has the money for the repair. I told *** that I am not going to be responsible for her car. *** acknowledged it and left the car at the adjacent property. The car was left unattended over one month at the adjacent propertyOn 11/25/14, I called *** to tell him that the car got broken in and suggested that he should tow the car home before the adjacent owner property tows the car away. The car was not resided on my property, and I did not have the key to it either. *** did not come to tow the car until 11/28/These are the facts The customer towed in an inoperable car for a diagnosis. I performed the diagnosis and found a leaked fuel injector problem. I did not put the leaked fuel injector back due to a fire hazard. As you may know, the leaked fuel injector could cause fire if the customer tries to start the car. The customer agreed with the diagnosis and declined the repair. *** took possession of the car on 10/22/and left the car unattended on the adjacent property over one month. It was unfortunate that the car got broken in. The car was not in my possession since 10/22/14. Thank you very much for your time!

Review: I had my vehicle towed into the repair shop and before they would even give me a diagnosis which is what I asked, I had to pay $95.00, when I went in to talk with the owner, he said that the vehicle had a fuel injection leak and it would cost $700.00, I said that I could not afford that right now, go ahead and put my vehicle back together and i'll come back once I get the money. The owner refused to put my car back together and I told him that I wasn't going to take possession of the car until he puts it back together, besides no one told you to take the car apart I asked for a diagnosis. The owner looks at me says something in his native language, and calls [redacted], the other registered owner (in southern Cal) and tells him the same that he wasn't going to put it back together claiming it was a "fire hazard". Now the vehicle has been broken into on his property and now the man want to tow my car! HE NEEDS TO FIX MY CAR! I didn't authorize a tear down of my vehicle and now my vehicle has be vandalized because of him. I want someone to call me on this ASAP.Desired Settlement: I want him to put my vehicle back in the same condition it was in prior to it being vandalized and prior to him taking my car apart making it in inoperable. This man has ruined my car, caused me undue stress and now I want justice

Business

Response:

Thank you for the opportunity to tell you my side of the story. Here is what happened. Prior to 10/16/14, [redacted] (registered owner) called and asked for the cost of a diagnosis of a 1998 Oldsmobile. I told him that the diagnosis would cost $95; [redacted] said ok. On 10/16/14 [redacted] towed the car in and signed the agreement for the diagnosis. On 10/20/14, I performed my diagnosis by removing the spark plugs and found gasoline flooded the engine cylinders. I suspected a leakage in the fuel injector assembly so I removed the upper intake manifold to confirm the fuel injector leakage problem. So I called [redacted] to inform her of the fuel injector leakage problem and let her know that the estimate cost of the repair would be around $700. [redacted] said that she has no money for the repair and wanted me to put the leaked fuel injector back. I told her that the leaked fuel injector could cause fire if you try to start the car. Therefore, I did not put the leaked fuel injector back due to the potential fire hazard and for the safety of the customer. On 10/22/14, [redacted] came in to pay for the diagnosis and picked up the car. I gave the customer the receipt for the diagnosis and her car key. [redacted] and her two friends decided to push the car to the adjacent property. [redacted] told me that she would be back in a few days when she has the money for the repair. I told [redacted] that I am not going to be responsible for her car. [redacted] acknowledged it and left the car at the adjacent property. The car was left unattended over one month at the adjacent property. On 11/25/14, I called [redacted] to tell him that the car got broken in and suggested that he should tow the car home before the adjacent owner property tows the car away. The car was not resided on my property, and I did not have the key to it either. [redacted] did not come to tow the car until 11/28/14. These are the facts. The customer towed in an inoperable car for a diagnosis. I performed the diagnosis and found a leaked fuel injector problem. I did not put the leaked fuel injector back due to a fire hazard. As you may know, the leaked fuel injector could cause fire if the customer tries to start the car. The customer agreed with the diagnosis and declined the repair. [redacted] took possession of the car on 10/22/14 and left the car unattended on the adjacent property over one month. It was unfortunate that the car got broken in. The car was not in my possession since 10/22/14. Thank you very much for your time!

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: we asked for a diagnosis, this man tore down my vehicle and refused to put it back together! I refused to puck up a vehicle in pieces and I brought in a vehicle in one piece.Attached is my receipt. [redacted] and I are the registered owners! [redacted] nor I authorized a tear down. I refused to take the car until he put it back together! He refused, and I left it is there! I am in Sacramento, the repair shop called [redacted] in Southern California to inform him of the break in, why when I was 2, blocks away. None of this would have happened if 1) shop owner would've spoken to me. He never talked to me! I wanted my car reassembled and he didn't, now the car has more parts off and I believe he took the parts see the schematic in the hood, wasn't there prior, he is totally responsible for this. There's no battery, all the parts in the box are gone major parts also are missing! I didn't take possessions because that's not how I brought it into the shop. He's not telling the truth, I have 6 witnesses to the contrary! He is totally responsible for the trucks demise.

Business

Response:

Business states that vehicle was towed to establishment with a dead battery. Every time a battery dies codes are erased, therefore no codes were available. Battery needed to be recharged and vehicle components removed to properly diagnose vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, a fire hazard was found and customer was informed of the findings. Business let customer know all actions were for the safe operation of the vehicle. Customer stated that they did not have the necessary funds to make the needed repairs at the moment so they were informed to tow vehicle home and come back when they had the funds available. They decided to leave the vehicle in a nearby alley and it was broken into a month later. Customer was informed and approved of diagnostic work done to the vehicle. Unfortunately, for safety reasons the necessary actions were taken.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:I brought the vehicle in for a diagnosis the fact that they're stating the battery was dead it was a brand new battery I had just placed in the vehicle due to the maintenance that was already done on the vehicle is the reason I needed the diagnosis now my brand new battery all the parts that I have purchased prior to bringing the vehicl are parts that we didn't even need to be removed are removed this shop needs to be held accountable he's lying saying that the battery was dead subsequently my vehicle was vandalized at his shop because he tore my vehicle down and all I asked for was a diagnosis if necessary we will go to court. I want my vehicle or a another vehicle in running condition with all the parts because they tore down my car, and I paid for a diagnosis and didn't get it. the repair shop needs to be held accountable because they tore my vehicle down and that is not what I request it I needed two codes.

Review: Car completely broke down after $1900 repair at Cal State Auto.

I went into Cal State Auto early August and asked for a diagnostic to be done on my car (2005 Mazda 6) to assess why the check engine was on in the car; after the diagnostic, [redacted] (the owner) proceeded to tell me that my car needed a new catalytic converter and it would be fine. I asked him if there was ANYTHING else wrong with my vehicle and his answer was no, once the catalytic converter is replaced the light will go off and run nicely. I told him to go ahead with the repair since there was nothing else wrong and the parts were ordered. The catalytic converter was $1198 and with labor costs, plus and oil change I paid him $1900 to repair my car. Once paid, I picked the car up and drove as normal eacj day. After a week and 2 days I noticed the car began to make a very loud noise under the hood so the following day (day 10 after picking the car up) I took the car back to [redacted] to ask him what was wrong with the car and to tell him that it now sounds much worse than when I initially took the car in. He concluded that the car needed a new engine which at this time is another expense of $1300-$1800. I asked why this information was not disclosed upon my first request when he did the diagnostic and he did not say. The very same day after leaving the auto repair (still day 10) the car stopped on highway 80 on an off ramp and would not start again. It had completely given out and had to be towed off of the freeway which incurred additional charges to me. I would have never paid him $1900 to fix the catalytic converter if he would have informed me that the engine also needed to be replaced. I feel that I was swindled out of my money and that I could have saved myself the cash and heartache of dealing with the whole scenario (breaking down on the freeway...) I have a brand new part on a car that is just sitting now because it does not drive, start up or do anything. Desired Settlement: I am seeking a refund of $1800 since it was a waste of money to repair a car that no longer runs. I do not care to even keep the $1200 part that was put on my car, the car was running fine before the repair I only wanted the check engine light off (for good). I believe that I am owed money back due to the fact that [redacted] failed to inform me of the engine problems once he had done a full diagnostic on my car. I am starting to wonder if he even did the diagnostic at all and how he could not tell that there were other issues going on with the vehicle. Also, if those issues were not there when he did the initial disganostic then why did they appear after the repair? What happened to my car during repair that would make the engine go out so soon after being fixed? Please refund my money.

Business

Response:

Initial Business Response

She came in asking for a smog diagnostic. So, we did a pre-test inspection. (attached) on 07/27

She told me she had a check engine light on and hears a bad knocking noise. After I did the diagnostic, I found the check engine is on because her catalytic converter is bad. After my findings I gave her an estimate for parts & labor for $1900. (attached)I told her that it's kind of not worth it to pay so much, as it will still need more work which will be more money because the engine is still knocking.

She said she didn't care, she had to get it to pass smog for DMV. So, she said to go ahead and do ti. Then she told me she to go ahead and order the part(catalytic converter)- I showed her the order form.

Now, there are three areas within a smog test that a car must pass. Her car failed 'functional check' part, and passed the 'visual inspection' and 'emissions test'. When I go the part I called her to come have the work done. When I finished she only paid $1353., then a week later she paid the remaining $550. Then about 10 more days she came back with the engine knocking really bad. I told her she needs a new engine. She has known this for a long time.

Final Consumer Response

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)

The response from the business is dishonest. I did go in asking for a diagnostic to check the reason behind the check engine light being on. After having the diagnostic done I asked for the results at which time I was told my catalytic converter was bad; before agreeing to pay for any further service to be done, I wanted to be sure that there were no other problems related to the engine and I specifically asked about them. This statement from the mechanic is completely false "After my findings I gave her an estimate for parts & labor for $1900. (attached)I told her that it's kind of not worth it to pay so much, as it will still need more work which will be more money because the engine is still knocking."

The car did not have a knocking noise until AFTER he completed the work for the catalytic converter. There would have been no reason to get the catalytic converter fixed if it would still need engine work. The fact that the car broke down a mere 10 days later has proven to be a waste of my $1900 paid for the repair. The car is now now non-operable and had the mechanic actually told me EVERYTHING going on with the vehicle and explained to me that it will need an engine soon I would have opted to not have the service done and saved the $1900. This mechanic blatantly lied to me for a profit and now I have an $1198 new part (catalytic converter) on my car that is going to waste. I am highly dissatisfied with the business response and I will continue to seek my requested refund amount even if I need to take this to court. I feel taken advantage of as a woman and this shop will never receive my business again.

Final Business Response

Per Case #XXXXXXXX:

Ms. [redacted] claimed that her car did not have a knocking noise until we worked on the catalytic converter. This is a lie. Ms. [redacted] is lying about the pre-existing conditions of her car. When Ms. [redacted] brought her car in our shop on 7/27/13 and asked for a smog diagnostic, she told us that the check-engine light was on all the time and she heard bad knocking noise from the engine. We have documentation of Ms. [redacted]' statement about her car. Please see customers' statement on repair sheet for details. Ms. [redacted] is lying about the pre-existing conditions of her car. The engine knocking noise existed before Ms. [redacted] brought her car in our shop.

We diagnosed Ms. [redacted]' vehicle (2005 Mazda 6) as requested and informed her of the conditions of her car. The check-engine light was on due to a bad catalytic converter. The bad knocking engine noise was an indication that she might need a new engine soon. Ms. [redacted] wanted to get her car to pass the smog check for DMV but we recommended that it would not worthy her money for the fix because she would need a new engine soon. Ms. [redacted] insisted on getting her car to pass smog and ignored our recommendation. We replaced the catalytic converter and her car passed the smog check as expected.

Furthermore, Ms. [redacted] claimed that we told her after replaced the catalytic converter, her car would run nicely. Again, this is a lie. We never make such statement. Please show us the proof that we make that statement to you.

It is not our responsibility that Ms. [redacted] chose to ignore our recommendation. In fact, after we replaced the catalytic converter, we continued to warn her of the engine problem on the repair sheet. We clearly noted on the final repair sheet that engine knocking problem. Ms. [redacted] signed final repair sheet and acknowledged it. Although we have sympathy for Ms. [redacted]' situation, it is not our responsibility that Ms. [redacted] chose to ignore ours recommendation.