Foreign Tech

Review: When I took my 1995 Mercedes Model S420 to your facility on May 22, 2014, I requested that the spark plugs be replaced. On June 26, 2014, when I arrived to pick up the car, I started the engine, however; it quickly quit running. I reported the problem to you, and you then started the car for me and told me that the driving technique required that I keep the fuel pedal depressed part way at all times to keep the engine from stalling. You further said that the car runs better when it is warmed up. This technique required any driver to use the brake as needed but at the same time use partial fuel pedal depression, at least until the engine warms up. I have determined, in consultation with others, that this technique is dangerous and the car cannot be used until corrected.Following your work, the car is more difficult to drive than when I originally took it in to you for repair. As you explained, the car is old; however the fact that you were unable to fix the problem is not my fault. If you would have explained to me prior to the start of the additional repairs for which you charged me $1,504.64 that the repairs may not be successful because of the cars age, my agreement to pay for additional repairs would have been different. I had told your staff that I did not want anything done except to replace the spark plugs. During another conversation, your staff advised me that additional repairs were necessary, and that following these repairs you had test driven the car and it was ready to go.I have since asked another auto repair garage for an opinion. They told me that it did appear that the throttle body would be the next part to replace, which is what you suggested, however; because of the general deterioration of the wiring which they pointed out to me; they said that replacing the throttle body may not be effective since the malfunction could be due to a fault in the wiring harness serving the throttle body. I was charged only $20.00 for their opinion and I believe them. They further suggested ways to optimize the recycle value of the car.I received no value from the repairs you made. On the contrary, the failed repairs created a negative value to me. I am not approaching my request lightly, however; in view of the foregoing, I believe that an adjustment to my invoice of a 50% refund is fair and appropriate. This 50% adjustment is $752.32. If you agree, please forward your check in this amount. If not, please advise me in writing.Desired Settlement: I believe that an adjustment to my invoice of a 50% refund is fair and appropriate. This 50% adjustment is $752.32.

Business

Response:

In response to [redacted] on May 22, 2014;

Mr. [redacted] came to our facility “Foreign Tech, Inc.” with a 1995 Merceeds S420 with 251,000 miles and requested specifically to replace his spark plugs. The customer even brought his own parts, obviously he diagnosed his own problem. We took the job and the customer left.

After replacing the spark plugs we determined that this was not the only problem with Mr. [redacted]’s vehicle. Upon further evaluation we found the car also had bad ignition wires, caps and rotors. At this point we contacted the customer and told him of our findings. The customer agreed to the additional work. The customer also had a computer shipped to us from eBay because “he knew the one in the car was bad.” We installed the computer (at no charge). After installation of the computer we were able to scan the car (which we were not able to do prior to computer installation). Using the information from the scan we determined the throttle body was bad and needed replaced. When the customer came to pick up the car we told him about the throttle body, the customer’s response was,” he would look for one on eBay.”

At the time the customer picked up the car it did not idle properly due to the above mentioned bad throttle body. He was told he would need to feather the gas to attempt to make it idle until he replaced the throttle body. Mr. [redacted] then told us he would check eBay for the part and come back. We also made the customer aware this model car was known to have a problem with the wires and harness for the throttle body.

Mr. [redacted] left Foreign Tech, Inc. and instead of getting the part and returning to us, he got the same answers elsewhere. He then chose to write us a letter requesting half of the paid invoice with us be returned to him. I stand behind my diagnosis, and am disappointed he felt unsatisfied with our service.

Consumer

Response:

This is a response to your correspondence from Foreign Tech, Inc. dated October 1, 2014.

Foreign Tech, Inc. begins the response by stating ‘obviously he diagnosed his own problem’. In fact, Mercedes recommended the spark plug change. Foreign Tech, Inc. also says that the mileage was 251,000 miles. I understand this, however; more importantly, the expert Foreign Tech, Inc. was aware of this. It was because of the mileage and age situation that I wanted to limit my repair costs to replacing the spark plugs.

When I next contacted Foreign Tech, Inc., I was advised that additional parts needed replacing. Upon hearing the Foreign Tech, Inc. diagnoses, and with the understanding that the installation of these additional parts would solve the problem, I agreed to the additional work.

Latter on I was told that the parts were replaced and that the car had been test driven extensively and performed normally. I use this sentence as my own, however; it does indicate the testing as it was described to me.

I relied upon this information and arranged transportation to pick up the car. Upon leaving Foreign Tech, Inc., the car started to fill with smoke and simultaneously perform more and more poorly. I returned the car to Foreign Tech, Inc. and parked it away from other vehicles. Foreign Tech, Inc. uncovered the engine, bought up a garden type hose, and thoroughly flooded the engine with water. Foreign Tech, Inc. told me that I could not drive the car and they would do a further diagnosis. I was told that the vehicle needed an ASR Module EA/CC/ISC. Foreign Tech, Inc. asked me if I wanted them to supply this part or if I would supply the part. I advised that I would supply the part. I had the ASR Module shipped directly to Foreign Tech, Inc.

Foreign Tech, Inc. then advised they had installed the ASR Module. I was once again advised that the car was ready for pick up. The car actually ran worse at this point than when originally taken to Foreign Tech, Inc. to have the spark plugs replaced.

I then wrote a letter to foreign Tech, Inc. asking for an adjustment to my bill. I received no reply to the letter, however; I recalled that Foreign Tech, Inc. advertised in multiple locations their accreditation by the Revdex.com. At this point, I contacted the Revdex.com.

None of this would probably have occurred had not Foreign Tech, Inc. advertised their membership in the Revdex.com and the Chamber. Latter research of the web sites of both indicates non-membership. I relied heavily on these affiliations when I went to Foreign Tech, Inc. I understand the credibility implied by membership in both, including at the least, addressing a customer complaint.

I have no indication that Foreign Tech, Inc. has ever had a problem with another customer’s car. They may have a perfect record up to now. I simply requested an adjustment to my bill, which I thought reasonable.

Foreign Tech, Inc. says that ‘I stand behind my diagnosis’. In light of this statement, I am willing to have the car towed back to Foreign Tech, Inc. to allow them to replace the throttle body part. In advance I need a cost, and an agreement that if the repair is unsuccessful, the car to be returned without additional billing and, if successful, I will pay the bill and we can both move on. I am not willing to invest more money in the car only to be told that just one more part will solve the problem.