Orange Independent

Review: On 8/20/14, I had my car serviced at Orange Independent which required a new Distributor for which I paid them $814.60. Then the very next day on 8/21/14 my check engine and Active Torque Transfer System lights came on so I called Orange Independent and spoke with [redacted] (one of their mechanics) who advised me to take it back to their facility which I immediately did. [redacted] (mechanic) from Orange Independent informed me that I needed a new Catalytic Converter. I told him that I just had a new one installed 1 year ago on 8/20/13. So I immediately went to Anaheim Hills Tire who installed the Catalytic Converter last year, and the owner, [redacted] said that the Catalytic Converter was NOT faulty and that it was damaged by Orange Independent when they replaced the Distributor the day before. So I called Orange Independent and spoke with [redacted] (who relayed our conversation and my request for a FULL refund of $814.60 to the owner, [redacted], because he was apparently too busy to come to the phone) to ask for a refund of my $814.60 that I paid them on 8/20/14 and [redacted] told me that [redacted] said the best they can do is give me a $75.00 credit towards my next repair with them. This is totally unacceptable. They damaged my 1-year old Catalytic Converter, and I am seeking a FULL refund from Orange Independent for the $814.60 that I paid them on 8/20/14, plus $408.80 that I had to pay Anaheim Hills Tire for a new Catalytic Converter (as a result of Orange Independent's shoddy work on 8/20/14) on 8/27/14 for a TOTAL SUM OF $1,222.68.

I have all the damaged parts with me as proof of Orange Independent's shoddy repair work.Desired Settlement: I am seeking a FULL refund of $814.60 from Orange Independent, as well as $408.60 that I paid Anaheim Hills Tire (for a new Catalytic Converter) for a TOTAL SUM of $1,222.68.

Business

Response:

1 am writing this letter In response to [redacted] claim against Orange Independent for "shoddy

work'' (888 assigned ID [redacted]),

The repair In question had to do with [redacted] car not starting. Her car was towed In and after checking it

out, we diagnosed a distributor was needed {total for the distributer repair with tax: $393.60). On this

same visit she was also due for a lube, oil and filter (minor service) which was done along with a

replacement of the crankshaft pulley, which was worn out (the total for J!l this work is $814.60).

The day after her distributer was replaced she came in with a check engine light, one of our technicians,

Tom, scanned her car and noticed a code that Is related to a catalytic converter. She mentioned she had

It replaced within the last year. She had not been able to pass smos and needed government assistance

to get her aging car up to smog standards. She took the car to Anaheim Hills Tire, which was an

approved shop to perform this service under the government a$$1Stance program, and $he said that Is

why she didn't have Orange Independent do this service for her.

We recommended for her to return to them to have them check out the catalytic converter. After returnlns

to Anaheim Hills Tire she called our shop, speaking with [redacted], and told [redacted] that Vinnie (Anaheim Hills Tire)

had told her our distributer had caused the catalytic converter to go bad. our technician, [redacted], called VInnie

and spoke with him. He told [redacted] that Is .[redacted] what he said. He told [redacted] car was not running correctty

and something had caused the catalytic converter to go out prematurely. He replaced [redacted] catalytic

converter, which was under warranty, and charged her $125 labor; he also did other service repair on

her car.

He said he would call [redacted] and explain this to her. After this, [redacted] called Orange Independent

back and spoke with [redacted], when he tried to explain the situation again she demanded to speak to Rick

(who was busy and could not take the phone call) and demanded a refund of the bill from August 20,

20141n the amount of $814.60. If you look at what [redacted] Is asking for, she not only wants money back for

what she claims to have caused her car problems but over $700 more, her request for $1222.68Js

ludicrous. The distributer replacement, parts, labor and tax was $393.60 the other portion of the bill is

other service Items listed above. [redacted] charged [redacted] $1251abor for the replacement of the catalytic

converter, the other portion of his bill also dealt with other service Items. As for [redacted] "damaged parts"',

how Is this proof that we damaged them? It Is just proof that they are damaged.

[redacted]has been a customer of ours for several years. She has never Indicated any complaint to any wor1c.

we have done in the past but has complimented us on the fine work and honest service she has

received. It comes as a surprise to us that she would make these claims and demand this refund. [redacted]

drives a 1999 Honda Prelude. It has had various problems just due to Its age and also parts wear out just

like any other car. There was no "shoddy work11 done, neither Orange Independent nor Anaheim Hills

Consumer

Response:

Dear Mr. [redacted]

I am writing this letter with regard to the recent auto repair "facility performed on my client,

[redacted]'s, vehicle. On August 18, 2014, my client had her 1999 Honda Prelude - License

Number [redacted] towed'lo your repair shop, located at 187 S Main Street, Orange, California,

by AAA.as a result of her car losing power on the 91 Freeway in 'the city Of Anaheim.

On August 19, 2014, my client called your shop and spoke with you.regarding her vehicle. You

informed her that the distributor needed to be replaced- yet once again, as it had previously

been replaced by your shop three (:3) separate times. My client agreed to let you perform the

necessary work as she had always trusted the repair work by your facility in the past.

As you know, Ms. [redacted] pick up her car from your shop on August 20, 2014 and paid your

invoice of $814.60.

On August 2l, 2014 Ms. [redacted] was driving her car the-dentist when the check engine and Active

torque Transfer System lights went on. She immediately-contacted your shop and spoke with, one of

your mechanics, [redacted], who advised her to take the car back to your shop

immediately which she did. She spoke with your mechanic, [redacted], who informed her that the Catalytic

Converter went out and didn't need to be replaced immediately because she could still drive her

car until the her smog check was due on it. My· client then informed [redacted] that she had just paid over

$1.400.'00 for a new Catalytic Converter approximately one (l) year ago from Anaheim Hills

tire, located at 19721 Eperanza Road, Yorba Linda California.

On August 21, 2014, my client went to Anaheim Hill Tire and spoke with the owner, [redacted]

who, after inspecting her car, advised her that the repair shop that recently replaced the

Distributor damaged the Catalytic Convener, as well as the spark plugs and some wires, and that

the Catalytic Converter needed to - be replaced and he wasn't sure if it was still under warranty

because it was not faulty. My client agreed to let Anaheim Hills Tire install a new Catalytic

Converter, as she had no other alternative.

Orange Independent

Attn: [redacted], [redacted]

September 25,2014

Page2

On August 26, 2014, my client called your shop to inquire about seeking a refund in the amount

of$814.60 that she paid you on August 20,2014. She spoke with [redacted] who informed my client that,

according to you, the best you could do was give her a $75.00 credit towards her next repair job

which is unacceptable.

I am enclosing copies of all invoices for the time period 12114/11 thru 9/4/14 with regard to

the repairs made(b¥ your shop as well as Anaheim Hills Tire. I am also enclosing my client's

Timeline of-events for your review.

By way of this letter, I am asking you - to reimburse Ms. [redacted] the sum of$1,222.68 ($814.60

paid to Orange Independent-on 8/20/14 and $408.80 paid to Anaheim Hills Tire on 8127/14) for her

damages as a result of the services performed at your facility on August 20, 2014.

Please contact the undersigned within seven (7) days of the date of this letter.

Very truly yours,