In response to the complaint filed, upon the original entry of the car to the shop the customer (grandmother and granddaughter) came in to inspect the vehicleThe car showed minimal exterior damage a small rip in the bumper and a pushed in lower grille and the driver’s airbag had deployed The vehicle ran and drove with no leaks or any sign of further mechanical issues The customer stated that they did not have insurance coverage to take care of the damage on the car and they were only looking to replace the airbag and make the car drivable and they would handle the bumper damage at a later timeThe car was further inspected and an estimate was prepared for the customer consisting of a driver’s airbag and seat belts required to be replaced with the airbag deploymentThe estimate was provided to the son or father and his approval was given to commence repairsThroughout the repair process it was determined that the clock spring a component between the driver’s air bag and steering wheel would need to be replaced as well as an airbag computer module This was brought to the owner of the vehicles attention and he provided his approval increasing the cost of the repair by two hundred dollarsThroughout the time the vehicle was at the repair facility it was moved multiple times, driven around the rear lot, raised on a lift, and parked and idled for a period of time never showing any signs of leaking or further mechanical damageThe car was then cleaned and detailed and made ready for the customerThe car was picked up and repairs reviewed with the estimator at the repair facilityThe customer, after picking up the vehicle, called back to the shop and stated to the office personal that a light was on the dash of the carThe owner stated that his daughter was at a restaurant and would take the car home and bring it back to the repair facility to be checked Approximately two hours later the shop received a call from the owner of the car stating that they were on the side of the road and would need a towThe shops tow truck was dispatched and the car was towed backWhen the driver arrived to tow the vehicle there was a puddle of coolant underneath the vehicle The daughter and mother were present at the scene with the carWhen the car was received back into the shop the shops mechanic inspected the car and found that the car had a leak coming from a crack in the bottom of the radiatorThe car also showed no compression in the engine a problem caused due to it having been driven for a period of time after being overheated due to the loss of fluids from the crack in the underside of the radiatorThere was no leak present at the time that the car originally left the shop and it was determined that the new damage regarding the engine was directly related to the fluid loss caused by that crack and the continued driving of the car without fluidsThe owner of the car (father or son) was contacted and made aware that at that time to correct the issues with the vehicle an engine and radiator replacement would be required The vehicle owner (father or son) stated that after his daughter had originally contacted him stating that there was a problem with the car he brought the vehicle home into his garage at which time he himself had hooked up a personal at home computer diagnostic scanner and added coolant to the car prior to starting the car and driving it againIt was at that time expressed to him that if the vehicle had been towed from his home and had not continued to be driven the current damage would be much less severeThe customer would like us to pay for a new motor for the vehicleWe are not responsible for the motor as the vehicle was driven while over overheatingWe towed the vehicle from our location to Marlboro at the customer’s request
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
The business has taken the issues and completely distorted them to suit their actions. The original entry to the shop was NOT that I brought the car in because of an airbag that deployed the are was towed to the shop after being in a front-end collision.The following day when I went with my granddaughter to view the car I met with Anthony and our discussion was just that the only visible damage was the deployed airbag. The bumper was nothing and the car had a missing front fog light when purchased. I did tell Anthony that the car had no collision but I was going to pay for the repairs ... this is when Anthony said he would have to get the car into the shop before he could even give me any idea of actual damage and costs. I
NEVER told him to just repair the airbags and make the car drivable. This statement is ludicrous I would put my granddaughter back on the road in a car that we had no idea of any other damage? We were waiting on an estimate to determine when the extent of the damage and whether it was worth repairing. When Anthony called my son with the estimate and it turned out it was only the airbag we agreed to go ahead and repair. If what the business is saying was true then I would have been given a waiver to sign stating that I did no want them to inspect a car that had been involved in an accident. I checked with quite a few body shops and they all agreed that what took place was completely wrong. I have nothing from Branning disclaiming themselves from any further damage or that the customer stated this is all they wanted checked on this particular car. I question why Branning is putting so much emphasis on the fact that they drove this car around their lot, had it on a lift, and let it run for a period of time if there was nothing further for them to do but replace an airbag. I also find it very coincidental that the car was in such great shape (as John told my son when he picked the car up). My son specifically asked John when it had been check since it had been in a front-end accident and John assured him the car was good to go. It is also very coincidental that car was fine when it left the shop and minutes later my granddaughter was calling her father saying the check engine light came on. AT THIS TIME my son called the shop, spoke to a young lady who, again, specifically told my son to get the car back to the shop ASAP and that they closed at 5:00. Yes, my son did check the car with some computer he had for one of his cars and determined it was antifreeze. He added the antifreeze and drove the car back to the shop check engine light was not on at this time. This is when the car stopped and had to be towed. We were then told that there was a crack in engine and the engine was blown. How does something like this happen (radiator cracked) to a car that just came out of a body shop for front-end damage?Again, yes they did tow the car to a lot in Marlboro because I am certain that they just wanted to get rid of this car because they are fully aware that they did not follow proper procedures when a car is towed in from an accident We have taken this car to another auto body shop to have the engine replaced and, again, they cannot believe what Branning put us through. Branning has refused to take any responsibility and they definitely hold some responsibility. They are the auto body shop, not me. They new that this car was going back on the road with a teenager driving it, and they never inspected it for any other damage other than the airbag and are saying that they would listen to a customer and not cover themselves is ridiculous. There is absolutely way for someone like myself to know what was wrong with the car and there is no way that a reputable body shop would do what they did. They do hold responsibility for their actions or lack thereof. rds,
*** ***
In response to the complaint filed, upon the original entry
of the car to the shop the customer (grandmother and granddaughter) came in to
inspect the vehicle. The car showed minimal exterior damage a small rip in the
bumper and a pushed in lower grille and the driver’s airbag had deployed....
The
vehicle ran and drove with no leaks or any sign of further mechanical issues.
The customer stated that they did not have insurance coverage to take care of
the damage on the car and they were only looking to replace the airbag and make
the car drivable and they would handle the bumper damage at a later time. The
car was further inspected and an estimate was prepared for the customer
consisting of a driver’s airbag and seat belts required to be replaced with the
airbag deployment. The estimate was provided to the son or father and his
approval was given to commence repairs. Throughout the repair process it was
determined that the clock spring a component between the driver’s air bag and
steering wheel would need to be replaced as well as an airbag computer module.
This was brought to the owner of the vehicles attention and he provided his
approval increasing the cost of the repair by two hundred dollars. Throughout
the time the vehicle was at the repair facility it was moved multiple times,
driven around the rear lot, raised on a lift, and parked and idled for a period
of time never showing any signs of leaking or further mechanical damage. The
car was then cleaned and detailed and made ready for the customer. The car was
picked up and repairs reviewed with the estimator at the repair facility. The
customer, after picking up the vehicle, called back to the shop and stated to
the office personal that a light was on the dash of the car. The owner stated
that his daughter was at a restaurant and would take the car home and bring it
back to the repair facility to be checked. Approximately two hours later the shop
received a call from the owner of the car stating that they were on the side of
the road and would need a tow. The shops tow truck was dispatched and the car
was towed back. When the driver arrived to tow the vehicle there was a puddle
of coolant underneath the vehicle. The
daughter and mother were present at the scene with the car. When the car was
received back into the shop the shops mechanic inspected the car and found that
the car had a leak coming from a crack in the bottom of the radiator. The car
also showed no compression in the engine a problem caused due to it having been
driven for a period of time after being overheated due to the loss of fluids
from the crack in the underside of the radiator. There was no leak present at
the time that the car originally left the shop and it was determined that the
new damage regarding the engine was directly related to the fluid loss caused
by that crack and the continued driving of the car without fluids. The owner of
the car (father or son) was contacted and made aware that at that time to
correct the issues with the vehicle an engine and radiator replacement would be
required. The vehicle owner (father or
son) stated that after his daughter had originally contacted him stating that
there was a problem with the car he brought the vehicle home into his garage at
which time he himself had hooked up a personal at home computer diagnostic
scanner and added coolant to the car prior to starting the car and driving it
again. It was at that time expressed to him that if the vehicle had been towed
from his home and had not continued to be driven the current damage would be
much less severe. The customer would like us to pay for a new motor for the
vehicle. We are not responsible for the motor as the vehicle was driven while over
overheating. We towed the vehicle from our location to Marlboro at the customer’s
request.
In response to the complaint filed, upon the original entry of the car to the shop the customer (grandmother and granddaughter) came in to inspect the vehicleThe car showed minimal exterior damage a small rip in the bumper and a pushed in lower grille and the driver’s airbag had deployed The vehicle ran and drove with no leaks or any sign of further mechanical issues The customer stated that they did not have insurance coverage to take care of the damage on the car and they were only looking to replace the airbag and make the car drivable and they would handle the bumper damage at a later timeThe car was further inspected and an estimate was prepared for the customer consisting of a driver’s airbag and seat belts required to be replaced with the airbag deploymentThe estimate was provided to the son or father and his approval was given to commence repairsThroughout the repair process it was determined that the clock spring a component between the driver’s air bag and steering wheel would need to be replaced as well as an airbag computer module This was brought to the owner of the vehicles attention and he provided his approval increasing the cost of the repair by two hundred dollarsThroughout the time the vehicle was at the repair facility it was moved multiple times, driven around the rear lot, raised on a lift, and parked and idled for a period of time never showing any signs of leaking or further mechanical damageThe car was then cleaned and detailed and made ready for the customerThe car was picked up and repairs reviewed with the estimator at the repair facilityThe customer, after picking up the vehicle, called back to the shop and stated to the office personal that a light was on the dash of the carThe owner stated that his daughter was at a restaurant and would take the car home and bring it back to the repair facility to be checked Approximately two hours later the shop received a call from the owner of the car stating that they were on the side of the road and would need a towThe shops tow truck was dispatched and the car was towed backWhen the driver arrived to tow the vehicle there was a puddle of coolant underneath the vehicle The daughter and mother were present at the scene with the carWhen the car was received back into the shop the shops mechanic inspected the car and found that the car had a leak coming from a crack in the bottom of the radiatorThe car also showed no compression in the engine a problem caused due to it having been driven for a period of time after being overheated due to the loss of fluids from the crack in the underside of the radiatorThere was no leak present at the time that the car originally left the shop and it was determined that the new damage regarding the engine was directly related to the fluid loss caused by that crack and the continued driving of the car without fluidsThe owner of the car (father or son) was contacted and made aware that at that time to correct the issues with the vehicle an engine and radiator replacement would be required The vehicle owner (father or son) stated that after his daughter had originally contacted him stating that there was a problem with the car he brought the vehicle home into his garage at which time he himself had hooked up a personal at home computer diagnostic scanner and added coolant to the car prior to starting the car and driving it againIt was at that time expressed to him that if the vehicle had been towed from his home and had not continued to be driven the current damage would be much less severeThe customer would like us to pay for a new motor for the vehicleWe are not responsible for the motor as the vehicle was driven while over overheatingWe towed the vehicle from our location to Marlboro at the customer’s request
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
The business has taken the issues and completely distorted them to suit their actions. The original entry to the shop was NOT that I brought the car in because of an airbag that deployed the are was towed to the shop after being in a front-end collision.The following day when I went with my granddaughter to view the car I met with Anthony and our discussion was just that the only visible damage was the deployed airbag. The bumper was nothing and the car had a missing front fog light when purchased. I did tell Anthony that the car had no collision but I was going to pay for the repairs ... this is when Anthony said he would have to get the car into the shop before he could even give me any idea of actual damage and costs. I
NEVER told him to just repair the airbags and make the car drivable. This statement is ludicrous I would put my granddaughter back on the road in a car that we had no idea of any other damage? We were waiting on an estimate to determine when the extent of the damage and whether it was worth repairing. When Anthony called my son with the estimate and it turned out it was only the airbag we agreed to go ahead and repair. If what the business is saying was true then I would have been given a waiver to sign stating that I did no want them to inspect a car that had been involved in an accident. I checked with quite a few body shops and they all agreed that what took place was completely wrong. I have nothing from Branning disclaiming themselves from any further damage or that the customer stated this is all they wanted checked on this particular car. I question why Branning is putting so much emphasis on the fact that they drove this car around their lot, had it on a lift, and let it run for a period of time if there was nothing further for them to do but replace an airbag. I also find it very coincidental that the car was in such great shape (as John told my son when he picked the car up). My son specifically asked John when it had been check since it had been in a front-end accident and John assured him the car was good to go. It is also very coincidental that car was fine when it left the shop and minutes later my granddaughter was calling her father saying the check engine light came on. AT THIS TIME my son called the shop, spoke to a young lady who, again, specifically told my son to get the car back to the shop ASAP and that they closed at 5:00. Yes, my son did check the car with some computer he had for one of his cars and determined it was antifreeze. He added the antifreeze and drove the car back to the shop check engine light was not on at this time. This is when the car stopped and had to be towed. We were then told that there was a crack in engine and the engine was blown. How does something like this happen (radiator cracked) to a car that just came out of a body shop for front-end damage?Again, yes they did tow the car to a lot in Marlboro because I am certain that they just wanted to get rid of this car because they are fully aware that they did not follow proper procedures when a car is towed in from an accident We have taken this car to another auto body shop to have the engine replaced and, again, they cannot believe what Branning put us through. Branning has refused to take any responsibility and they definitely hold some responsibility. They are the auto body shop, not me. They new that this car was going back on the road with a teenager driving it, and they never inspected it for any other damage other than the airbag and are saying that they would listen to a customer and not cover themselves is ridiculous. There is absolutely way for someone like myself to know what was wrong with the car and there is no way that a reputable body shop would do what they did. They do hold responsibility for their actions or lack thereof. rds,
*** ***
In response to the complaint filed, upon the original entry
of the car to the shop the customer (grandmother and granddaughter) came in to
inspect the vehicle. The car showed minimal exterior damage a small rip in the
bumper and a pushed in lower grille and the driver’s airbag had deployed....
The
vehicle ran and drove with no leaks or any sign of further mechanical issues.
The customer stated that they did not have insurance coverage to take care of
the damage on the car and they were only looking to replace the airbag and make
the car drivable and they would handle the bumper damage at a later time. The
car was further inspected and an estimate was prepared for the customer
consisting of a driver’s airbag and seat belts required to be replaced with the
airbag deployment. The estimate was provided to the son or father and his
approval was given to commence repairs. Throughout the repair process it was
determined that the clock spring a component between the driver’s air bag and
steering wheel would need to be replaced as well as an airbag computer module.
This was brought to the owner of the vehicles attention and he provided his
approval increasing the cost of the repair by two hundred dollars. Throughout
the time the vehicle was at the repair facility it was moved multiple times,
driven around the rear lot, raised on a lift, and parked and idled for a period
of time never showing any signs of leaking or further mechanical damage. The
car was then cleaned and detailed and made ready for the customer. The car was
picked up and repairs reviewed with the estimator at the repair facility. The
customer, after picking up the vehicle, called back to the shop and stated to
the office personal that a light was on the dash of the car. The owner stated
that his daughter was at a restaurant and would take the car home and bring it
back to the repair facility to be checked. Approximately two hours later the shop
received a call from the owner of the car stating that they were on the side of
the road and would need a tow. The shops tow truck was dispatched and the car
was towed back. When the driver arrived to tow the vehicle there was a puddle
of coolant underneath the vehicle. The
daughter and mother were present at the scene with the car. When the car was
received back into the shop the shops mechanic inspected the car and found that
the car had a leak coming from a crack in the bottom of the radiator. The car
also showed no compression in the engine a problem caused due to it having been
driven for a period of time after being overheated due to the loss of fluids
from the crack in the underside of the radiator. There was no leak present at
the time that the car originally left the shop and it was determined that the
new damage regarding the engine was directly related to the fluid loss caused
by that crack and the continued driving of the car without fluids. The owner of
the car (father or son) was contacted and made aware that at that time to
correct the issues with the vehicle an engine and radiator replacement would be
required. The vehicle owner (father or
son) stated that after his daughter had originally contacted him stating that
there was a problem with the car he brought the vehicle home into his garage at
which time he himself had hooked up a personal at home computer diagnostic
scanner and added coolant to the car prior to starting the car and driving it
again. It was at that time expressed to him that if the vehicle had been towed
from his home and had not continued to be driven the current damage would be
much less severe. The customer would like us to pay for a new motor for the
vehicle. We are not responsible for the motor as the vehicle was driven while over
overheating. We towed the vehicle from our location to Marlboro at the customer’s
request.