ComplaintsforGator's Garage

• Initial Complaint

  08/11/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I can provide dates and receipts at a later time or they said they have all the receipts as well. Took my car to Gators Garage over and over. Everytime they worked on it something else went wrong. Had them do an oil change and a month later our motor blew. Paid them to change the motor said our starter was bad. Changed the starter and it's sounded like it was grinding since we got it back. Said nothing was wrong just the starter sounds like that now. Serpentine belt broke because the ac compressor locked up after having it back only for 4 days. 2 weeks and 2 days later got it back. Had it 2 days and check engine light is on. They have no resolution other than they are done working on it. 3500 might not be a lot for everyone but me and my partner have been working OT to pay for car repairs and to keep our home afloat.

  Business response

  08/17/2022

  see attached

  We have received your letter regarding a complaint you received towards our business (assigned ID ********; Dated 8/11/22).
  Here is some history information regarding the vehicle/complaint the customer has made against us.
  1/5/22 - Vehicle was brought to us, customer complaint was that the heater was not working, Diagnosed, replaced blower motor resistor and did an oil change on the vehicle, (Invoice #****)
  2/7/22 - Vehicle was brought to us, customer complaint was heater was not working again. Diagnosed for free, faulty multi-relay switch. Replaced multi-relay switch. (Invoice #****)
  4/18/22 Vehicle was brought to us, customer complaint was loud exhaust. Repaired exhaust, only charged labor for repair. (Invoice #****)
  4/27/22 - Vehicle was brought to us, issues with vehicle overheating. Diagnosed needed a new thermostat. Thermostat replaced and antifreeze added to vehicle.
  (Invoice #****)
  6/21/22 Vehicle was brought to us, customer complaint vehicle was knocking loudly. Diagnosed for free, needed new engine. Recommended not replacing engine due to cost of repairs exceeds value of car. Customer called back later, decided to replace engine as they stated they could not afford a new(er) vehicle. Worked with customer on making payments until car repairs were complete. Used engine was purchased and put into vehicle, new oil & filter, antifreeze added. (Invoice #****)
  7/12/22 - Engine repair was complete, found faulty starter before customer picked up vehicle. Advised needed a new starter, Replaced starter, did not charge customer for labor on starter, only charged for part. Customer did not pay for starter when they took
  1
  P ***
  the vehicle, stated they would be in later the following week to pay, (Original invoice # ****, merged to invoice #**** see notes for 09/22)
  7/14/22 - Customer called, check engine light was on, Told customer to bring down and we will hook computer up to it. Customer told us light came on when he was accelatoring hard on the car. Advised needed a catalytic converter. Diagnosed & cleared code for cugtomer, free of charge,
  8/9/22 - Customer complaint - vehicle would not run, we picked up the vehicle roughly week, week and a half before invoice date of 8/9/22, we were unable to look at the vehicle sooner. Diagnosed, AC compressor locked up causing serpentine belt to breaka Algo advised to customer they had not paid for starter from 7/12/22. Customer wes upset that vehicle wag not running and was upset regarding having to pay more money to fix. Worked with customer, offered a used AC compressor we hed available for free.
  We did not charge them for labor on AC Compressor & we did not charge for the AC Compressor part. Customer was only charged for belt & labor to put belt on, Advised to customer check engine light was on, that the vehicle would need a catalytic converter soon but that the engine sounds and rung good upon inspection, Customer wanted vehicle back ASAP eg they were plenning to trade the vehicle in for another vehicle.
   
  8/10/22 Received call from customer, complaining about check engine light. Advised vehicle needed a catalytic converter which is why the check engine light was on. Customer was ven/ upset, did not want to pay for more repairs. Stated they were going to trade in.
   
  received wag too low. Asked us to reimburse for all work we have done to vehicle. We advised we would not, as the engine and other repairs äre still operable on the vehicle. Vehicle is still drlveabte and we did the necessary repairs that they requested us to do to the vehicle. Customer advised they were getting an attorney es well as contacting BBB to get a full refund back.
  8/12/22 Received multiple calls from customer throughout the day, asking if our business would buy the vehicle from them for the amount they have spent in repairs. We advised we would not purchase the vehicle from them. Customer was very upset and rude. Advised that we would no longer work on their vehicle as we felt this was in the beet interest of both parties.
  We have gone above and beyond what wo normally do for cuetomors to try and help this customer out. We have picked up their vehicle many times, to save them the cost of tow. We have picked up their vehicle from their job to bring to our shop for small repairg and return to their job so they had A vehicle to drive when their Bhift was over, leaving invoiceg in their car for them to come back and pay after their shift was over. We have worked with them on payments toward invoices as well, which we normally do not offer at our shop.
  We can provide copies of the above listed invoices upon request,
  Any further questions or concerns, please contact our shop at the above provided information.  
  

  
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩