Dave's Auto Truck & RV

Review: I brought my 1999 BMW to have a smog check done. They told me they could not do the smog because the check engine light was on. They gave me a written estimate to run a diagnostic test for $127. I agreed to do this and signed the estimate. They called me 3 days later and said the diagnostic showed a problem with the timing chain and that this was typical for this vehicle. They gave me an estimate over the phone of $392.00 to tear it down and put it back together. This price did not include any parts or work needed once it was torn down. A few days later [redacted] with Dave's Auto called me and gave me another price of $1395 plus parts to do the necessary repairs. She said this price already included tear down and put back so she would deduct the original $392. She then called back the next day and gave me another quote of $2600 total price. I told her I could not afford to fix it so I would have it taken out by tow truck. She told me it would be better if they didn't put it back together so I didn't have to pay the entire $392 quoted. I agreed. She said she would call me back when it was ready to pick up. She then called back within 10 minutes and asked me if I was willing to sell it. She said the technision was interested in buying it. I said yes, I was just going to advertise it for sell as is. She said to figure out how much I wanted for it and let her know when she calls me back. I did not here back from her until the following week. The girl [redacted] told me I needed to come get it or they would start charging storage fees. I asked her how much I owed and she told me The $392 plus the $127. I told her I shouldn't have to pay for put back since they didn't do anything. She said it was a quote just for tear down.Desired Settlement: I believe I should pay the $ 127 plus half the $392 since they did not do a put back. Total cost $323.00

Business

Response:

In regards to this repair, we have a signed authorization for the original diagnostic for $127.00 as well as a verbal authorization for the additional teardown/Inspect/estimate for $392.00 . The customer declined the necessary additional repairs to fix the problem at hand due to lack of funds. Customer owes the shop a total of $522.00. These are the facts...Thank your for your correspondence

Review: I took my vehicle to repair and error light coming on in the car. The next day they told me the work was completed. I paid a fee of $176. Ten minutes after I left the shop, the error light came back on. I called them to take the car back in but they indicated they were too busy. I also wondered why they didn't bother to test drive the car after they supposedly repaired it. I have enough knowledge to understand an error light can be shut off temporarily with a meter but if the problem isn't repaired, the light comes back on after driving the car. This seems to be what happened in this situation.

I finally got an appointment the next Friday morning. I left the car there and went to work. Since I work across the street, I was able to see they had not even moved the car all day. The next morning I called to see what progress had been made. I was told they were working on the problem. I drove by and my car was still sitting in the same place it was the day before. I called about an hour later and was again told they were working on it. Another hour passed and I called again. They indicated they tested the car and it had a completely different issue than before. However, I drove by again and the car was sitting in the exact place it was when I left it there. At that point I just picked it up. I did put my hand on the hood to see if it was started or driven and it was stone cold. This is a typical scam these auto places do to siphon money out of you without doing the workDesired Settlement: I demand a refund of my money as this business is dishonest and did not complete the work I paid for. Furthermore, they fraudulently claimed they were working on my car and never did so.

Business

Response:

First of all I appologize for not responding in a timely manner, my daughter was in the hospital, we

welcomed my first grand daughter July 21st. So I am a first time grand mother and have been with my

daughters growing family.

Regarding a complaint filed by [redacted], on his 1998 Infinity QX4 going back to the first

repair 03/10/2011 for smog Invoice #[redacted]. The smog/master technician

diagnosed the rough run issue to get the vehicle to smog, we had to abort the test it was

running poorly, The customer authorized a diagnostic for the failed smog. The master

technician discovered timing was off as well as modified wiring going to knock sensor (the customer

had tried to fix themselves) causing many issues. In the automotive Industry "Cause & Effect" are

the rule. When customer's (that are not educated technicians) try to repair the problems themselves,

these problems occur. Prompting other issues such as Engine Light/Service Engine Soon lights to come on.

The repair was performed as well as completing the California State required smog certification. The customer

was advised to drive to reset the OBD II computer readiness monitors. The customer called to inform us that

the engine light came on 571 miles later. On 04/05/2011 the customer brought in the vehicle and the engine

light was diagnosed, the vehicle was running rough (same symptom different Issue) with (5} codes stored in

the computer (see attached Invoice #15312) all codes Indicating problem with an 02 sensor, also found the

air filter plugged and the MASS air flow sensor contaminated. The technician attempted to clean the air /liter and

sensor, it was then recommended to replace both the air filter and MASS air flow sensor, the customer declined.

On 05/11/2013 the customer brought in the same Infinity QX4 with and engine light on and the

vehicle symptom was lurching (see attachached Invoice #24321) the diagnostic showed multiple codes

Indicating MASS air flow sensor and Purge volum control function issue the same issues as before

that were declined to repair. Further inspection found the MASS air flow sensor harness modified/damaged on the

power side, it was recommended to attempt to repair the harness as MASS air flow sensor is expensive, the harness

would have to be repaired first anyway. The repair was performed, the codes were cleared and did

not return, the vehicle was operating normally when It left the shop.We Informed the customer if the engine light

comes back on the MASS air flow sensor would most likely have to be replaced.

On 05/17/2013 The customer's daughter came to the shop on a Saturday with the lnfiniti, the service

writer informed the customer as a courtesy the smog/master technician would diagnos for no charge,

until determined if related or not. The Tech. began his diagnostics and determined the engine light

was on due to the secondary code previously diagnosed Invoice #[redacted]. (2) codes were stored #1)

Purge flow/evap canister problem.and #2) 02 sensor circuit issue. As the customer was aware and previously declined

the repairs. The customer was aware of the prior code as many problems con prompt another code. The tech.always

repairs the "Cause" first. There Is no need to replace parts if not needed as these are extremely expensive. We simply are

customer advocates and are always aware and try to save the customer$$$. The Saturday the vehicle was brought in (with no

appointment) the customer was informed that Saturday's are 1/2 staffed with only {1) smog/master

tech. and the law is clear smog/emission repairs must be done by licensed smog techs. The daughter

waited on the Saturday as the service writer informed them of the schedule, the daughter said she

would wait. The father Mr. [redacted] kept calling, frustrated wanting the car done. The smog tech.

finished with his scheduled work and started to diagnos the Infiniti as he began the customer

called again and insisted on removing the vehicle from the shop.

So in closing we at Daves Auto does strive to be the best we can. The State of California is VERY

CLEAR as to smog requirements, "engine lights " that are on, are emissions related and are design

to help the California have clean burning emission cars. The issues this 1998 lnfiniti have, have

been a problem for the customer for awile, it was evident the problems had been chased for a long

time, with unprofessional repairs/modification and damages to the vehicle, it is regretful that the

customer felt the need to bypass and not communicate with us and file a complaint with the Revdex.com,as it

was evident they have been chasing a problem for a long time,and unfortunately the damage was done

prior to bringing the vehicle here to us.

Sincerely,

[redacted] (Owner)