JLM Auto Repair

Review: 54th Street Auto performed unecessary repairs on my car totalling 1088.45. These repairs did not fix the problem which was that the battery was being slowly drained and the car kept dying. Just a few days after the repairs were done and I paid, the battery was drained again and the car died just like before. Once again my car was towed to this repair shop. They kept the car for a few days and pronounced that there was no problem and I needed to take my car back. Sure enough the car died again and again. I took the car to a different repair shop and they discovered that the problem was an electrical short in the radio/dashboard. This mechanic kept the car for a number of weeks while he searched for a part to replace this part of the dashboard. Once the part was replaced, the car was fixed and has not died out since - 8 months later.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund to my credit card in the amount of $1088.45

Business

Response:

[redacted]’ 1998 Ford Taurus was towed to our repair facility for a no start condition due to a faulty alternator and bad battery. These repairs were necessary to get the vehicle running correctly. We recommended replacement of the serpentine belt and belt tensioner at this time as well due to dry rot cracking of the belt and age of the tensioner. The repairs and services were completed on the evening of 7/**/14. The vehicle was running well when [redacted] picked it up later that night. There were no electrical shorts, drains, or draws present while the vehicle was in our care nor when she picked up the vehicle. On 8/*/14, 11 days later, [redacted]’ Ford Taurus was towed to our shop again. She claimed that the vehicle did not start. Upon checking the vehicle, we had found an interior light that was left on which caused a drain on the battery which led to the car not starting. Although this was negligence on [redacted]' behalf, we replaced the battery instead or recharging it as a goodwill gesture. The vehicle started and was running well. We checked the vehicle for other possible issues that could have caused the battery to drain. No other problems were found at this time. No shorts. No draws. No drains. The vehicle was running well when [redacted] picked up the vehicle later that day. Several months later, [redacted] apparently had taken her vehicle to “[redacted]” in Brooklyn where they determined that the vehicle had an “electrical short in the radio and climate control section in dashboard” . This “electrical short in the radio and climate control section in dashboard” is in no way related to the alternator failure that occurred several months prior. This electrical problem that [redacted] and [redacted] claim occurred is a completely different problem that was not present while the vehicle was being repaired at our repair facility. Evidence of this alleged electrical issue would have been found on the results from our testing equipment which it certainly did not. I’d like to point out that the repair invoice that [redacted] provided from “[redacted]” has no VIN (vehicle identification number), no odometer reading, no auto repair registration number, and no contact information. It is extremely vague, incomplete, and is most likely fraudulent. Not to mention [redacted]’ signature on the repair invoice from “[redacted]” does not match the signature on our invoice. The letter that [redacted] provided from “[redacted]” has no letter head, a scribbled out and handwritten date, and is most likely fraudulent as well. We had tried contacting both [redacted] and [redacted]. We left [redacted] numerous messages and are unable to get in touch with “ [redacted]” due to non working phone numbers. [redacted] has not returned our phone calls or messages. We are more than willing to answer any further questions or clarify any confusion that [redacted] has regarding her dispute [redacted]###-###-####

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

The facts as stated by 54th St. Auto are simply not true. The week prior to towing the car in for the repairs [redacted] sent 54th St. Auto to give me a boost as it was the first time the battery had died. The tow truck checked the battery, pronounced it ok and gave me a boost. A week later the battery was dead again and so I had it towed and the repairs commenced. A week later like clockwork the car was dead again. To claim it was my interior light when there was now a pattern of the battery dying is disingenuous. In addition, when the now familiar tow guy came to get my car we specifically checked every single light in the car including pushing the seats down and looking inside the trunk. No lights were on. Clearly since this was the third time the battery died the repairs did not fix the problem and the battery was being slowly drained. The car died again and again after I retrieved the car when they refused or simply could not figure out the problem. I took the car to [redacted] shortly thereafter but it took [redacted] a few weeks to find the proper part at a reasonable cost. It was the exact same problem and any suggestion that there was another problem or that I fabricated the whole thing is just an attempt to deflect from their poor and shoddy service and fraudulent behavior. Finally, no one has ever called or left a message from 54th St Auto. In addition, I am always able to get [redacted] on the phone. It is a legitimate business and they answer every time I call during business hours. They are closed Sat and Sunday.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

We have acknowledged and addressed the consumers concerns in great detail in our previous response. We have stated all the facts and findings. I’m sorry to hear that the consumer still feels that her complaint has still not been resolved. I’d like to mention that this consumer has been very persistent on this matter in which she has already attempted to stop payment on her credit card and file a complaint with the [redacted]. Both the credit card company and the [redacted] determined her case to be unfounded so she is now pursuing the Revdex.com. I’m afraid the consumer is having trouble understanding the fact that it is indeed possible for an automobile to have more than one problem that can cause the same symptoms. Any professional in the automotive industry would agree. We fix hundreds of vehicles every month that have bad batteries, bad starters, bad alternators, electrical problems, computer problems, parasitic drains, etc. all different problems that cause the same symptoms. This consumer owns a 1998 Ford Taurus that has less than 30,000 miles on it. At least half of the automobile owners in New York would agree that not driving the vehicle enough will also result is “dead batteries”. The consumer’s vehicle apparently developed a different problem (short in the radio) that was allegedly diagnosed by “[redacted]” several months after we had repaired her vehicle. This “short in the radio” had caused the same symptom she had experienced prior. This “short in the radio” was not present while the vehicle was in our care on both occasions. We guarantee all the work we do however we cannot guarantee every OTHER problem that occurs even if it may cause the same or similar symptom. I hope this response has provided more clarification to both the consumer and the Revdex.com community.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

The business refuses to acknowledge that they failed to diagnose the problem with my car and charged me for unnecessary repairs. My car would not start on July [redacted] On that date this company dispatched a tow truck that declared my battery in good working order and gave me a boost. The same thing happened a week later on 7/** so I allowed the tow truck to take my car to the shop. The disputed repairs were completed and I picked up the car on 7/**. On 8/* the car was dead again. Once again a tow truck was sent. When he charged the battery he and I checked every light in the car including folding down the seats to make sure that was not the problem. When we were satisfied that was not the issue I allowed him to tow me back to the shop. The car sat there for a few days and was returned to me without resolving the problem or determining the cause. The car died again a few days later, and I took it to a different mechanic who immediately determined that the cause was an electric short and I never needed all the parts I paid for. It took him a few weeks to find the part I needed at a reasonable price and the car has been fine every since (now a year later). The facts are very clear and this company simply refuses to admit they failed to properly diagnose the problem and charged me for unnecessary parts and labor. Consumers beware before you bring your car to this shop.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,