Teton Thai Restaurant, Inc.

RE: [redacted]Revdex.com# [redacted]Vehicle #1 1989 Mitsubishi Montero 3.01 4wdVehicle #2 2001 lsuzu Trooper 3.51 2wd[redacted] initially brought to my facility a 1989 Mitsubishi Montero in fairly rough shape.  Major problems included significant oil consumption and smoke from the exhaust, brake hose...

and rotor problems, diagnostic issues, timing belt, and typical problems with a nearly 30 year old vehicle with 233000 miles.  We worked through the problems one by one and all work done was solid and reliable. [redacted] was happy with all the repairs done and results were achieved.Late in November a small coolant leak developed at a freeze plug. [redacted] explained that he needed to get funds together for the repair.  To help mitigate the coolant leak temporarily we used a cooling system sealer and carefully explained that he must actively monitor the coolant level until the repair could be made. If it appeared to overheat or the temp gauge reads abnormally high, [redacted] was advised to stop driving the vehicle and have it towed.  [redacted] freely admitted to me and my staff that he quote "should have had it towed".  He continued to drive it in the overheat condition and ruined what otherwise was a good engine. He did not listen to my advice and he did not stop the vehicle before permanent damage occurred.  The danmge done was caused by poor judgement on [redacted]s part as he should have stopped the engine before damage occurred.  I cannot be responsible for poor judgement.[redacted] is blaming me for his poor judgement. Claims on the Montero are categorically denied. The second vehicle, a 2001 lsuzu TrQoper was purchased by [redacted] for $1000.00 with a major transmission problem. I test drove this vehicle after he purchased it. It was immediately obvious that the transmission was slipping badly, the fluid was dark and burnt and had indications of entrained metal particulate matter. The only corrective action was to replace the transmission.  I quoted [redacted] on a transmission replacement using my most reliable builder. The transmissions I purchase come from ATE in Phoenix, AZ, approx. 100 miles away. I have used this supplier for over 10 years, and have over100 transmissions currently in service with no defects.  They also have a transmission dynometer  to hot-run test these transmissions for the highest level of quality control.  These advantages are not available from local transmission shops.  The only penalty to using this supplier is the transportation issue, which creates a delay.  In most cases my builderwill have a core transmission to build and can do an exchange.  The Isuzu Trooper transmission is somewhat Jess common and it was necessary to build the unit that came in the Trooper.  The time line for this scenario is 2 weeks.  Had a core transmission been available, the exchange could have happened in one day. This not being the case [redacted] was advised the job would take approximately 2 weeks.[redacted] decided to proceed and brought me a $2100.00 deposit on Wed. 12-21-16 and the vehicle was scheduled for the transmission removal on Fri. 12 23-16 [redacted] was advised when he made his deposit on the 21st  that it would take longer due to the Christmas, New Year holiday.  Many shops were closed during this holiday including theweek in between. Many suppliers were also closed on Monday January 2nd. On Friday December 23rd 2 days after approving the job, [redacted] came in and said he found another shop that would do it cheaper. I explained that it is too late to back out as his deposit was already sent to the builder and the project was already in progress.The transportation of transmissions back and forth to Phoenix is provided by the local Napa store as a favor to me and my company for $40.00 round trip.  They normally drive a supply truck from PrescottPhoenix to Prescott on Mondays.  My original intention was for them to transport the trans on Monday Jan. 2nd.  However due to the holiday the trans was not yet complete.  The next opportunity was Monday Jan. 9th and for reasons unknown it did not happen that day.  After expressing my disappointment they guaranteed I would have it for the 16th.  I kindly asked [redacted] to be patient as I was dependant on outside work.  There are transportation alternatives but are more than twice the price. [redacted] continued to stress he wanted the job done as inexpensively as possible. The work was scheduled to be completed and delivered to [redacted] on Monday Jan 16.  Not including the holiday this is 2 weeks (Jan  2 - Jan 16).  We were closed for the holiday from Dec. 24- Jan. 2.On Thursday the 12th at about 10:00 am. [redacted] entered the shop with his neighbor . His neighbor aggressively demanded that[redacted] get his vehicle and a refund.  Myself and my staff felt very uncomfortable and threatened by this man. I explained that the deposit had already been spent on building his transmission, the trans was complete and waiting for transportation.  They would not accept that and threatened to call the police.  I said go ahead.I immediately called the sheriffs office and explained the situation. Dispatch was taking my call and his call simultaneously.  Upon arrival of the sheriff and not feeling threatened anymore, I explained the time line and circumstances surrounding the work.  In an effort to calm the situation, I offered to go to Phoenix and get the completed transmission that same day. It was agreed that the job would be completed by Friday January 13th at the end of the day.  I then paid a courier $120.00 to bring the trans to us the afternoon of Thursday January 12th.  [redacted] was only charged the agreed $40.00 transportation fee, I personally paid the remaining $80.00 (a loss).  The transmission was here at 4:00pm  the same day.  We immediately began the install and worked 2 hours past close until 7:oopm.   We arrived Friday morning early and completed the job by 11:00 am Friday 6 hours ahead of schedule.  The vehicle was test driven to validate the repair.  All functions at the transmission •vere confirmed.  I called [redacted] and he arrived at about 3:00pm  Friday, paid the balance and took delivery of the trooper.  His grand total was $20.00 less than quoted. The engine/trans mount defects weren't even known prior to the transmission replacement due to severe slip.  The vibration was very minor, and to be expected with any vehicle that has over 200,000 miles. I suspect that the engine mounts are original, and the trans mount was replaced at some point in the past and was partially collapsed.  The engine and trans mounts were not quoted, were not on the estimate, and were not part of the job.Due to the pressure put on myself and my staff, we completed the transmission job and fulfilled the transmission replacement with no other work done to meet his demanded time line ( only 72 hours prior to original plan). [redacted] requested to test drive the vehicle prior to payment. I normally would allow this to occur, but given the circumstances and the fact that he unnecessarily got law enforcement involved. I did not trust him to take the vehicle without payment. I did perform an extensive test drive and confirmed perfect operation ofthe transmission and my judgement prevails. Evidently, [redacted] only found the trans mount problem, and no issues with the transmission itself.  All work performed and paid for is solid and reliable.The vibration he is complaining about has nothing to do with the transmission replacement itself and is due to other aging parts.  I obviously cannot stand behind parts I did not change.  [redacted]s claim for replacing the trans and engine mounts is without merit as we did not replace these parts.  The trans continues to be under the manufacturers warranty.We extended every kindness to [redacted], including a $100 card from a wine promotion, discounts on the services performed, and my employees allowed him to do repairs on some bicycles.The events that occurred working with [redacted] are ridiculous.  Due to the sequence of events and [redacted]s reaction by getting a possibly intoxicated neighbor to intimidate me and wasting the time of local law enforcement by calling 91lln a non emergency situation,  I must exercise my right to refuse future service to [redacted] ( posted in office ) and will no longer consider working on his vehicles.  I cannot be responsible for parts I did not change. Claim on the Trooper is categorically denied.Daniel K[redacted], PresidentFast Lane Performancenter, Inc.