Mother Lode Motors, Inc.

Review: I just purchased a car from Mother Lode Motors in Sonora, CA. This was the first car I ever bought from a car lot. 2008 [redacted]. I returned the vehicle after a week because after having my mechanic look it over, it needed a tie replacement. The dealership refused to do anything about it and refused to help me in any way.Desired Settlement: Just replace the tie rod.

Business

Response:

After reviewing the issue with the Bureau of Automotive Repairs, all parties have concluded that there are no further repairs to be made at this time. Thank You

Review: On December 17, 2013 I had my car towed to Mother Lode Motors due to it had been overheating.

I drove up to Mother Lode Motors and spoke to thier mechanic [redacted].

I signed papers to spend up to $1,500.00 if the engine needed to be sent out. I asked for copy of the diag test which I could not get. I agreed to pay up to 1,000.00 to have a head gasket and water pump replaced.

On December 18th, 2013 at 10:58am from the mechanic [redacted] at Mother Lode Motors saying the lower end was damaged and he could get me a used engine for 4,500.00 or a new one for 5,500.00 but he could give me a 500.00 rebate. I needed time to asked others I know, so I said I'd call back.

I called my friend [redacted] who's family had owned a wrecking yard and I knew he is a good mechanic and he spoke with [redacted] at Mother Lode Motors. I tried to get hold of other licensed mechanics but had no luck. But I and a few others didn't think it was that right price.

For this reason, I called [redacted] back at Mother Lode Motors and told him I was not going to buy a motor. I told just to put my car in the parking lot till December 19th (the next day, since I was ill on the 18th) and I would come and pay and have it towed home. He said that would be fine since he still had parts to put back on.

I still was sick on December 19th and AAA agreed to towed it back to my residence from Mother Lode Motors. I paid the bookeeper by phone with a mastercard. The cost was 432.60 which I definitely thought was labor and head gasket since he tore it down and never did I dream it would come back nor was told that [redacted] was leaving parts off and they were put in the back of my car.

The fact and truth is the car was driveable it ran like atop but was overheating. There was no noisy such as clunking, grinding or any.

I believe parts left loose my be lost per tow. [redacted] should have at least told me.

I have asked to but a stop payment for the time and a licensed mechanic and all legal rights will be sought by me. I understand at least 3 others have already contacted you and at least I will as I will proceed in court.

Business

Response:

On 12/17/2013, one [redacted] had her 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser towed by AAA for head gasket failure. (NOTE) "Customer did not drive her vehicle in". Repair order was opened with customers concern and an estimate was given in the amount of $1,531.00 which was signed by [redacted]. The technician ([redacted]) performed the diagnosis and found the engine block test had failed. (This is performed by a liquid test kit.) Further diagnosis was needed to determine what repairs would be needed. I [redacted] Reedy tried to make contact with [redacted] on 12/18/2013 @ 1059 hours. I left a voicemail and waited for [redacted]'s return call. [redacted] did call back and I advised what we had found to this point but further removal of engine parts would need to be done. [redacted]'s estimate of $1531.00 did not change for the further diagnosis. [redacted] agreed and we had continued to move forward.

The technician removed all the parts from the top as needed to proceed to the bottom. As the technician was removing parts from the bottom of the engine he had to remove the crank bolt and had found someone had damaged the crankshaft by using a grinding type tool to cut off the crank pulley. Due to the damage that was found the engine block would need to be replaced. The technician had stopped all work until further approval was given.

The technician provided a parts and availability in two different ways. One used motor (parts & labor $4,117.00) and one remanufactured motor (part & labor $5,400.00). [redacted] was called once again and advised the concerns but wanted me to speak with one of her friends.

I spoke with one [redacted] and explained the concerns for the vehicle. He asked the pricing for the repairs which was given to him. [redacted] stated that [redacted] is not going to have the vehicle repaired due to the cost.

[redacted] called back and advised me not to make any repairs to the vehicle and they were going to have it towed to another location. I explained to [redacted] what damage was found and the vehicles engine parts were removed. [redacted] was given the opportunity to have the parts reinstalled and pay for the technician's time or we could put the removed items in a box and place them in the car since the repairs were taking place somewhere else and could save her money instead of having them removed again.

[redacted] did not want to pay additional money to have the parts reinstalled. The technician boxed up the following items and placed them in the vehicle.

Power steering pump, upper & lower intake, thermostat housing, upper radiator hose, and radiator fan. The exhaust system was secured to the vehicle.

The vehicle was then removed from the shop. The repair order was turned in and all facts were inputted to include a notation about the parts that were note installed. [redacted] was contacted and advised her vehicle was ready to be towed and that I also reduced the charges from $741.00 to $432.60 which [redacted] was happy about.

According to the flagged times by the technician has 7.2 hours. The amount of time charged is 4.2 hours @ $103.00 per hour. The repair order and the keys were given to the cashier.

[redacted] paid by phone and the copies were put in her vehicle. The vehicle was then towed away from Mother Lode Motors and no further contact with [redacted] has taken place.

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

In response to letter dated 1/17/2014 (I received 1/20/14) am sending my written response to buisness's reply (Mother Lode Motors) address 13411 Mono Way Sonora, CA 95370-5335.

According to them, thier statement says I signed only one agreed for the amount of $1,531.00.

This is not true. I signed first one for $1,000.00 as quoted per [redacted] before auto was towed. This was at same time and only meeting. On December 17, 2013 at thier desk in garage with a Dr Pepper I got from thier soda machine. I asked at that time for copies of both agreements and diagnois test results. [redacted] did not give me I only signed 2nd agreement in case a cylinder needed work and only for $1,531.00. I wanted to take a liscened mechanic, whom did not have the time to do until at least a month (but I wanted trust) so he could give me advice. I said no to the new or used engine but [redacted] said it was fine. I came on 12/19/13 since he had parts still to put back on. This to me (and many I've asked) would atleast mean 1 or 2 head gaskets and parts at least replaced to brig it to the condition it had been prior. Drivable but running but at a hotter temp then wanted. The car had no lack of power never had been towed. Only liscenced moblie mechanic [redacted] worked on before 2010. Others who drove car know.

AS you requested I am sending all pages 1 & 2 plus this. To date I have not heard back from anyone from Mother Lode Motors since on December 19, 2013 when someone when I called and only got out the questions Why didn't you put my car back together? I was abuptly (rudely) hung up on.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

I have read the response from [redacted] on 02/18/2014 and found the multiple statements are incorrect. Per my last email to you with signed documents by [redacted] it shows what took place. [redacted] stated that she signed for an estimate of $1,000.00 and her vehicle was not towed. Unfortunately [redacted] facts are incorrect. Supporting documents show otherwise. [redacted] was also asking for a diag test resul.t Its impossible due to its a liquid test and does not record findings. She was made aware of all tasks with the vehicle. Per my last email all facts are shown except for towing due to AAA is the one who towed the vehicle from her location to Mother Lode Motors and was paid by AAA Member or cash. For these reasons I stand by my last letter and all documents that were sent to you.

BUYER BEWARE -- DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY

I've been in business a long time, and have taken responsibility many times, when I or my people screw something up.

When I was younger, working for others, I was lucky--my bosses had integrity, and empowered me to do the right thing by our customers.

Later, when I encountered business that did not--operate with integrity, I realized that it was because of the people at the top. That ethic, trickles down from the owner--who creates either a company that builds its fortunes by treating customers the right way; or by screwing them, and moving on to the next.

From my recent experience, I can only surmise that Mr. Stan Flake, and Mr. Nathan Flake, are people woefully lacking in basic business ethics and integrity.

If you are lucky and Google this outfit, before doing business with them, take this review to heart.

In the case of Mother Lode Motors, we aren't talking a downside potential equivalent to a lousy meal, or--maybe spending a few bucks on something we might not like.

With MLM, you're looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars in shoddy repairs, poor quality, unreliable parts--a good chance that you may find yourself broken down--needing to pay a second time, for work and parts that you paid Mother Lode for, not so many miles ago.

In September, I paid the full price quote, to have work done on my car. Mother Lode, sourced the parts, from their supplier--and did the installation. They marked up the parts, over what I could have bought then for myself at any auto parts store. I knew this, that the profit on the parts alone, to Mother Lode, was not insignificant. BUT, I feel like it's important to support local business, and I believe that sometimes, as a consumer, I have to pay more, so that a business can earn a profit, and stay...in business.

Less than 24 hours later, the part failed, and has now failed again.

I sent Nathan Flake, a detailed email explaining--to give him a chance to propose a suitable remedy.

I waited 5 days, and was ignored. Finally, I followed up with a call, and spoke to Nathan Flake personally.

What I experienced is an owner-skilled at talking in circles, and double speak; with an unwillingness to accept basic responsibility for a clearly documented mistake made by his service team; and a laughable and impractical attempt to resolve the situation--by proposing a solution that was onerous, unfeasible and condescending.

The bottom line is this; we are all consumers, even car dealership owners. We all work hard for our money, appreciate value, service, honesty and accountability.

We have this tool, called the internet, where, consumers can let other customers know when we have been cheated.

If dealerships like Mother Lode Motors, and owners like Stan and Nathan Flake, expect consumers to do business with them--and to pay more for it (instead of sourcing our own parts through Amazon or Wal-Mart, or a local parts store), then they have a responsibility to provide the service and value that we are paying for. They should have the integrity to stand behind their work.

BELIEVE THE "ONE STAR" reviews that you see here. Don't buy into the b.s. which are the 4/5 stars, posted by owners and employees and family friends, to offset bad reviews. There are plenty of places where you can bring your car, that have loads of positive reviews; with owners, who care enough, and work hard enough to resolve "one star" problems before they ever get this far--where they're written down.

You have information, so you can make an informed choice. Mother Lode Motors, Stan and Nathan Flake are NOT WORTH THE RISK, it's not just your wallet, or your time, or your energy, it's your life and the life of your family, that is at risk, when you choose a repair shop that does shoddy work.

So, DO NOT SHOP HERE. BELIEVE THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

(Motherlode Mother Load Motherload)