Firmin's Garage Inc

Review: I dropped my 2007 [redacted] off at Firmin's Garage for an oil change on 12/12/2013. When I went to pick my car up there was a large dent/hole in my bumper, a scrape on my headlight, and fresh paint on the side of the car. I informed the owner that my car did not look like that when I dropped it off. He stated it is not his problem and became aggressive and swore at me (I have a witness). I then called the police and filed a report. I did not file a claim. I do have photos and a copy of the report. The police officer asked him to show camera footage, he refused.Desired Settlement: I took my 2007 [redacted] to [redacted] and had an estimate done. The total cost for a new bumper is $1,200.

Business

Response:

As known, on 12/12/2013 Ms. [redacted] dropped her vehicle off at my repair shop for an oil change. Ms. [redacted] has never been in my place of business before. When she dropped her vehicle off it was nosed in. My mechanic pulled her vehicle in, performed an oil change service and backed her vehicle out, with the nose facing our building. Immediately after walking out of my place of business, Ms. [redacted] claimed that her vehicle had been damaged. My two mechanics and I all inspected the vehicle and saw scraping and slicing damage to the lowermost portion of the left side of the front bumper cover. From our experience and obvious signs, the damage was not fresh, nor were there any signs on the ground to indicate the vehicle had been backed into. In our opinion, it looked to have been created as if the vehicle had previously run over something. The damage was too low for another vehicle to have hit hers.

I believe Ms. [redacted] is a scam artist who is trying to set us up. First off, none of us swore at her. She was very surprised when I said we would be calling the police. Moreover,now, almost three months later she is claiming that there is additional damage to the headlight and fresh paint, which was not in her statement to the police nor visible at the time. We also do not have cameras on our property as she seems to think. We will now be installing them in the near future. Ms. [redacted] is unaware that fellow customers have informed us of her slanderous bashing at [redacted] After over 30 years in business and honest service, if we had legitimately damaged Ms. [redacted]'s vehicle we would have gladly taken care of it.

Sincerely

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

This is unacceptable.

Sincerely,

In response to Mr. Firmins message:

I am merely a scam artist. A scam artist would not have solid proof. You claim that you did not curse at anyone, yet the supervisor at my job, [redacted], [redacted], is a witness. She is willing to write a notarized statement saying so. Also, I have two other coworkers that will come forward to say that my car did not have the damage that morning of the incident right before I dropped it off. The reason why I was so surprised after you suggested calling the cops was because your behavior was so uncalled for; I did not think you had it in you to do such a decent thing.

There was scraping on the bottom of the front of my vehicle. I told the police officer that. But after something slammed into the front of my car and turned the underneath of it outwards, you can obviously notice it more. This is a fact, and the owner of the business in which I took the car to for an estimate will write a notarized statement stating so as well. Also, I told the police officer about the damage to my headlight and the fresh paint on the side of my car. I would be happy to send photos that the officer, myself, and my supervisor took that day with three separate cameras.

I took my car to T[redacted], Ct. for work two days prior to this incident and I spoke to the gentleman who worked on my car. I took my vehicle back after the incident and let him examine the damage for himself. He is also willing to write a notarized statement letting it be known that my car did not look like that just two days before.

I would like to end this response with how I am entertained that you think I am slandering you. I am simply stating facts. The entire reason I took my car to your business was because of a referral from a coworker I respect at [redacted]. I told her what happened because I was upset and her response was that she felt terrible, she would never take her car there again, and that she would inform others. The person at [redacted], who I did business with, had informed me that was not the only complaint he had heard about Firmins, and that the people who work there have a reputation for being dishonest. I will release names if necessary. I have a witness to that as well.

When you do not perform quality work, why would I not complain? And if you hadn't done me so wrong, why would I be so eager and persistent to let people know about your bad business? How could you not have cameras at a business that works on other peoples vehicles all day?

I will tell you again like I told you on the day of the incident: I did not say that the person who worked on my car at your shop did it, and I did not point any fingers. For all I know a customer could have done it while leaving, but when I handed you the keys to my car for work on your property, you resumed responsibility for my vehicle and what happened was unacceptable.

I understand that you're concerned as to why it took me so long to address this. It took me three months to get this going because I hired myself a lawyer.

Your attention in this matter is appreciated,

Business

Response:

To reiterate what was previously documented. Ms. [redacted] dropped her vehicle off on 12/12/13 for an oil change service. That service was performed to the highest quality. No damage was done to her vehicle by my staff. As stated multiple times, if we had damaged Ms. [redacted]'s vehicle Firmin's Garage Inc. would have taken responsibility. There were no signs that any vehicle copuld have hit her car as low as the damage proved. In addition, the damaged headlight, "fresh paint" and lack of evidence on the ground proved her car was not backed into. Ms. [redacted] gave a written statement to the police where she admitted the car already had minor damage. Her "solid proof" is all hearsay.

Ms. [redacted] can continue to bash our business all she wants. Our loyal customers and community know better. What she claims has nothing to do with the quality of work performed, or the actions of. or on this establishments.

Sincerely