ComplaintsforParks Automotive

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Taking my car in for repairs I was originally given a Work estimate of approximately $450 in less than three hours that Work estimate inflated to over $2100. The Vehicle was noticeably, not Repaired and I asked the agent for my old parts which they refused to give to me. I told them that they needed to look at their work because there were things that were not running even as well as before the repairs. Was told That I could go get a second opinion and tell them what they did wrong. I took my car to another mechanic who told me that they did not do some of the work that I was billed for because with my tire being loose, they could not have done and a wheel alignment and with no witness marks, there were bolts that they were supposed to move that had not been moved. This mechanic also made me aware of my frame that was visibly located in the exact spot. Their mechanics were working and they failed to tell me it was a major safety hazard. This mechanic also informed me that it was illegal for a shop to work on the frame damage.When I took my vehicle back to them, they said they would get the parts and they would do the alignment and at the very end they said they were sorry, but they missed the big crack in my frame and told me that they could not work on it, and it would be dangerous to continue driving the vehicle. I believe they were aware of this frame and that is why they continue to inflate. The price of the Work will not actually performing any of the work. They did end reparing some parts they told me they had previously done. I believe they were willfully negligent in their duty to inform me of the irreparable damage and serious safety issue the cracked frame & increased the work total knowing that I would not have any work done if I knew the car would be inoperable soon. This money should have gone to purchase a new, safe vehicle instead of shoddy repairs and incomplete work.

  

  Business response

  10/01/2024

  In April of 2024, this vehicle was towed in as it was not drivable due to damage to the drivers front.  Once vehicle was on the hoist, our Technicans inspected the vehicle and found the drivers lower control arm was damaged, the drivers front sway bar link was broke, and the drivers front C.V. axle shaft was broke.  Customer was called and given an estimate of $944.66 (Parts AND labor on the driver side)  Parts $445.71, labor $399.00, and the front wheel alignment $99.95.  Customer authorized the repair at 1:14 PM on 04/22/2024.  After the authorized components were installed, the vehicle was moved to the alignment rack.  At this point, the Technicans found the passenger front lower ball joint was loose, the passenger front outer tie rod end was loose, and the passenger front C.V. axle boot was torn and leaking grease.  Customer was called with an estimate of $970.11 (Parts AND labor on the passenger side)  Parts $571.11, and labor of $399.00.  Customer authorized those repairs at 5:31 PM on 04/22/2024.  The vehicle was completed on 04/23/2024 and customer paid for and picked up on 04/23/2024 (Part check and part credit card).  Customer then returned to have vehicle rechecked.  At that point, vehicle was put on another hoist and customer was shown that the parts she paid for were indeed installed.  Approximately 4 months later, customer calls and stats she thinks we didn't perform all of the job.  Customer stated she had vehicle looked at another shop and things were found to be loose/wrong.  Customer brought vehicle back on 08/27/2024 (4,761 miles later)  At this point, she was asked to provide documentation from the other shop but stated she was told to not give us that paperwork. Put vehicle back on the hoist to reinspect again.  We double checked all of the front suspension bolts.  At that point we found a small hole in the drivers side sub frame.  Customer came to the shop and was shown what we had found.  We also found that the new sway bar links that we installed in April, were tight but making noise.  We then replaced both front sway bar links with a different manufacturer (No charge) and rechecked the alignment (No charge) per her request.  Alignment was still in spec.  Customer picked vehicle up and as far as we know has been driving since.  At this point in time, with no shop to contact, or contact person, and no paperwork showing anything she stated, we feel there is nothing for us to do.  The job was completed (Car was towed in, she drove it out, and proceeded to put over 4,700 miles on it)

  Customer response

  10/08/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 22350374, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear : 

  The fact that they were negligent in their duty of care to report a sizable hole in the vehicle’s frame before doing thousands of dollars of work has not been remedied. 
  It is our position that they acted in bad faith And without regards for their guest safety; doing the repairs carelessly, failing to return requested parts, Not completing repairs until forced to do so with report from another master mechanic. 
  We are wanting to be made for the original cost of the repairs which would not have been authorized. Had they done their due diligence and reported to us the safety issue of an unrepairable in the frame
  
  Regards,
  
  Charly Rowe

  

  Business response

  10/09/2024

  First, can the customer provide any documentation proving that the hole in the frame was there or not there prior to us repairing the vehicle?  Customer keeps implying that we acted in "bad faith"  Customer's feeling do not trump facts.  The fact is, we have been in the DeForest area going on 52+ years, if we acted in bad faith and did not care about guest safety, there is a high probability that we wouldn't be in business at this time.  Second, if we did the repairs carelessly and/or not completed the repairs how could she put 4,700+ miles on the vehicle over the next 4-5 months?  Fact is, the vehicle came in not drivable, left drivable, and as far as we know, is still driving.  Third, failing to return requested parts is hard to do when parts aren't requested for at the time of repair/or pick-up of vehicle.  We do not store peoples damaged parts for unforeseeable amounts of time.  Forth, not completing repairs until forced to do so with report from another master mechanic.  Fact is, she was asked to provide documentation and didn't while stating "I was told not to give that to you"  Until we hear from this other master mechanic, receive written documentation from this other master mechanic or shop, or actually see anything that resembles a work order/repair order with accurate information that shows date, time, mileage, and diagnosis, no money will be refunded.  

*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. ↩