Socal Automotive Repair Center Inc

Review: I took my vehicle (2006 Nissan Pathfinder) to Socal Carburetors Plus for an issue with a timing chain making noise. The owner/operator, [redacted] explained to me the issue and assured me he could correct the problem. The quote was originally for roughly $1800, upon his work he told me the water pump should be replaced due to the location and that, "why not replace it since he already had the engine apart." I asked him if it was necessary and he explained the pump was not broken, but may break soon. Hesitantly, I allowed him to replace the water pump. [redacted] also mentioned that this vehicle had a CVT which uses a special electronic valve that should be replaced when changing the timing chain, but then said I shouldn't worry and that he wouldn't replace it unless necessary. The vehicle was reassembled and he call me. Upon picking the vehicle up the noise that was originally concerned with was still present. [redacted] explained it was normal based on the nature of the design. After driving the vehicle for 2 days the car started making a terrible grinding noise. [redacted] asked me to bring the car back in, I did. The car was then taken apart and the "new" water pump he installed was completely destroyed, the metal was in the oil and being pumped around the engine. He had to take the vehicle for 3 more days, replace the water pump again, replace the timing chain assembly, and finally he replaced the CVT valve he originally said did not need replacing. The total was now $2400+ and the vehicle was returned to me. I drove the vehicle for roughly 3 weeks until the sound was again present. This time I refused to have him repair it and took the vehicle to the Poway Nissan dealer, the dealership disassembled the vehicle and reported incorrect procedures in changing the components, excess of silicon sealant that should not have been used at all, and extremely low quality parts. The repairs at the dealership were over $3000. This was the worst experience with an automotive mechanic I have ever experienced.Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund ($2400.00) of the money paid to SoCal Carburetors Plus; additionally, one quarter of the cost ($3000) of the dealer repairs due to additional components needed replacement due to faulty repairs resulting in damages. I am also filing a suit with the BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair). Total settlement request $3175.00

Business

Response:

January 24, 2014

Via E-mail to Revdex.com ID [redacted].

C/O [redacted] with Revdex.com ID [redacted].

I’m sending you a copy of the most recent certified letter sent to [redacted] on 01/21/2014 in defense to the complaint place with Revdex.com

against my Business.

Thank you for contacting Socal Carburetors Plus:

We recently received a certified letter from you [01/07/14] requesting

payment for the amount of $2796.72 for repairs not performed by our

shop. Your request was denied and expressed to you during our last

phone conversation on 10/29/13@ 5:04pm. The answer is the same as

before, it was denied for several reasons:

First,

Your vehicle was repaired to manufactures specifications; all the

aftermarket parts we use meet or exceed manufactures specification.

You agreed in our contract that during the warranty period you would

bring the vehicle back to Socal Carburetors Plus for all warranty

repairs and there was no other arrangement agreed upon. [redacted] [Boyfriend] and you were told by me that I was going to use

aftermarket parts because of the lifetime warranty benefits on the

parts vs. Original parts only provide 12 months warranty.

Second,

The very first time we became aware of your vehicle concern was on

10/14 /13 through an email you sent our business titled “Bad Repair

proof”. You alleged our repairs were not correctly performed. However,

all of these are speculations because your vehicle was repaired to

manufactures specifications at our facility. On 10/04/13 without our

knowledge about any of your vehicle concerns you decided to authorize

all suggested repairs to another Repair facility [Mossy Nissan Poway]

and excluded us from any decision making about possible warranty

repair coverage by our Facility. On 10/08/13 you had paid for the

repairs that you authorized Mossy Nissan Poway to complete. You did

not give us a reasonable opportunity to make the necessary repairs to

your vehicle.

Finally,

Your warranty was denied because of breach of express warranty on

behalf of you [[redacted]]. The warranty stated the conditions

under which warranty repairs would need to be performed at Socal

Carburetors plus at [redacted].[see

section K of Business Policy on repair order [redacted]] . You the customer

neglected to notify us on a timely manner and refused us reasonable

opportunity to be involved in any warranty repairs, even though your

vehicle was under warranty through SoCal Carburetors Plus, Inc. For

this reasons we are not responsible for any of your repair expenses.

You may want to call Bureau of Automotive Repair 1-800-952-5210

Sincerely,

Socal Carburetors Plus, Inc.

775 Greenfield DR, suite B

El Cajon, CA 92021

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The comments Shawn made are not accurate or truthful. I will pursue legal action from this point in small claims court and through the Bureau or Automotive Repair.

Regards,

Review: Owner, [redacted], was dishonest during our business transaction. He charged me $285 cash for inspecting my vehicle, which was overheating and had exposed wires that he described as a safety hazard. He stated that this payment would be applied to the repairs. The final bill was $1,100, which I paid in cash. When I questioned him as to an additional $285 for inspection on the invoice with no reflection of my original payment, he denied ever receiving my first payment. Additionally, the repairs were not done as he had promised and within two days of getting my vehicle back, new warning lights appeared on the dash and the wires were still exposed. I took it back to him and admitted that he temporarily disabled the warning lights, but stated they will eventually come back on and there's nothing more he can do.Desired Settlement: I am requesting a refund of the original $285 cash that I paid [redacted] on 8/24/15 since he charged me twice for the labor.Also, this business owner did not account for all of the money I paid him. I will report him to the IRS and request an investigation of his record keeping.