Sterling Star Automotive, Inc

Review: I paid in full w/ the help of my Aunt: [redacted] for a USED motor at Sterling Star Automotive for a 2003 Audi A4.. The full price for the used motor was $6,456.64 . I am disputing how much I paid. I was informed that the motor may be able to be repaired instead of replaced so I had it towed to this company. Upon looking at the vehicle they said it could not be repaired and to come get the vehicle or let them repair it w/ a used motor. The motor was torn apart there, so I felt I had no choice but to let them replace the motor with a used motor. I was then given a verbal quote of between $3,000-$4,000. I did not expect a USED MOTOR to cost as much as a new! If I would have been informed properly of the pricing I would have had Audi at FSK replace the old motor with a new motor and warrenty. I feel I was OVERCHARGED for this motor. I have the sales receipt stating: $3,265. for the used motor and $2,278. for labor. Parts of spark plugs, engine oil, filter, antifreeze, inner cv boot were around $220 plus around $90 for the labor on the cv boot.

I was given a quote of $6150 by [redacted] at [redacted], Volvo for a BRAND NEW motor intallled. This motor would have had a full new motor warrenty!!!Desired Settlement: Refund of $3,000 to my Aunt: [redacted] who made the final payment on the vehicle for the OVER charged amount. She has canceled the Credit Card used to make the final payment on the motor. A check will need to be mailed to her address @ [redacted] MD [redacted]

Business

Response:

December 5th ,2013

To [redacted] The Revdex.com

This letter is In response to [redacted]'s concerns about repairs to his 2003 Audi A4. Revdex.com Complaint ID # [redacted].The Vehicle was towed from Maryland to our shop for diagnosis. Customer was a cousin of a employee who performed all the repairs. Before car was towed to our shop the customer had stated that the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. . When the vehicle arrived at our shop the car was already partially disassembled from another shop that was checking the car over. The car was reassembled in attempts to make a proper diagnosis. We found that the car had been so badly overheated the plastic coolant outlet on the rear of the cylinder head had been melted and when the car was running had exhaust coming out of it. This told us at least the cylinder head and gasket were damaged. Advised customer of this and decided to remove the cylinder head for further inspection and to justify the need for engine replacement. The cylinder head was warpped beyond repair and at that time it became our recommendation to replace the engine. None of these diagnostic procedures were charged to customer as a good will because it was an employee's cousin. Estimates were given to the customer for replacing the engine with a used one and replacing with a new one. Also customer was advised of the needed repair for transmission & possibly be covered by manufacturer warranty. Customer approved the repairs for the used engine and not the new engine. Also the cost of repair was approved. A deposit of $3000.00 was made at the time the engine was ordered and remainder of balance was to be paid when the repairs were complete. Engine was ordered and installed per approval of the customer. When the repairs were complete and customer was advised they said they did not have the rest of the money and would have to try to get a loan to repay. The car remained at our shop for two additional months and the customer was ignoring our attempts to contact them. At that time we had the car in secured storage that is usually billed at $30 per day for over two months. When we contacted customer to state that we will have to file a mechanics lean on the car. Then Customer was able to get the rest of the money together at that time and her Aunt paid the remainder of the balance. No storage or additional Items were charged to the customer. She only paid what was approved. Even after one week of pick of the vehicle customer was contacted by the employee (the cousin). At that time it was told by the customer to our employee how much the help was appreciated & how thankful she Is for saving her the money.

None of the Issues were raised during the approval of the repair or at the pickup of the vehicle. All the work was done with the prior approval. I don't think we did anything unethical or unprofessional and **. [redacted] has no basis to make a complaint to the Revdex.com. I am sorry but the desired settlement is not possible. We "Sterling Star Automotive " respectively request that the B8B please disregard Complaint #[redacted].

Thank you for your time and if any additional Information is required please contact G.P. at [redacted] (Work) or ###-###-#### (Cell). Any email correspondence can be sent to [redacted].

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

Dear Revdex.com and Sterling Automotive,