The Auto & Tire Doctor, Inc.

Review: On June 13, 2015 I brought my dad's [redacted] to The Auto & Tire Doctor for a smog check. I witnessed the service manager while attempting to start the car repeatedly slam his hand against the key in an effort to insert the key into the switch. The action by the service manager jammed the key in the switch making it unable to fully insert or remove the key. After this it was not possible to start the car with the key. The switch was fully functioning prior to this incident. After the incident the service manager refused to engage in any verbal communication to resolve the switch damage. As a result of the Tire Doctor refusing to repair the switch My Father had to pay to tow the car from Truckee California to the [redacted] Dealer in Reno Nevada near my residence. The [redacted] dealer replaced the switch.Desired Settlement: I want my father to be reimbursed for towing from Truckee to Reno $340.00 and for replacement for a new switch and keys $747.39 for a total of $1,087.39.

Business

Response:

This 12 year old vehicle had known ignition problems when it came into our shop. The customer knew of the issue and even asked to be able to start the vehicle himself. We did not break this ignition, in fact, the customers written statement states that he himself jammed the ignition with a smaller key in an attempt to get the lock to release. When we stopped working in this vehicle, the key was not in it and the ignition did not have anything broken off inside it. For these reasons, I do not feel that we are responsible for these charges. Please see the attached letter we received on June 25, 2015 where the customer in fact states he himself jammed the key in the ignition. He also states he observed the vehicle trying to be started from inside the shop, I feel this would be quite difficult to see if at all possible.

Business

Response:

This 2003 vehicle had knownignition problems when it came into our shop. The customer knew of the issueand even asked to be able to start the vehicle himself. We did not break thisignition, in fact, the customers written statement states that he himselfjammed the ignition with a smaller key in an attempt to get the lock torelease. When we stopped working in this vehicle, the key was not in it and theignition did not have anything broken off inside it. For these reasons, Ido not feel that we are responsible for these charges. Please see theattached letter we received on June 25, 2015 where the customer in fact stateshe himself jammed the key in the ignition. He also states he observed thevehicle trying to be started from inside the shop, I feel this would be quitedifficult to see if at all possible.

Consumer

Response:

1) The 2003 vehicle was brought in for a "Smog check" (costs 70 bucks) and it ludicrous to assume that a customer would bring in a car for smog with a defective ignition and risk failing the test.