What would YOU do...?

[CRUZTAKER]

I recently had my car in a so called proffesional tranny shop dealing in high performance race cars....

Aside from them keeping the car nearly two weeks as they suddenly became busy and couldn't make my promise date....

Today I am told it is ready, but something happened. Something???

Here they drained the coolant to install the rear engine cooler mod, and promply backed out of the install for fear of screwing something up. Screwing something up????

Here when they took it for a drive, they forgot to tighten the radiator cap. Lost the cap on the road way somewhere....and sprayed my freshly detailed engine compartment with coolant!:fire:

Even they just said...it's really farked up now....and my $250 chrome valve covers are shot!!! He said, I may have to replace them.

I pick up the car tomorrow. Should I make them replace my covers if they are indeed riuned from scortching coolant....and what about having the motor cleaned?

I am really discusted by this error...WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

[Jeff]

Boil 'em in oil! :mad2:

[FiveO]

Talk to the manager and ask that it be returned to you the way it was delivered.

If not...take them to small claims court, or at least threaten it.

I would not put up with this type of service from any shop.

[FiveO]

Oh...and pictures, pictures, pictures.

Document everything.

[Mikeenh]

Barry....You should get your car back equal to or better than the way you left it with them.
BEND THEM OVER AND.......http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/d0/sex.gif

[Dr Caleb]

Like I said in the egging thread - Get a Rope.

I sure hope they aren't expecting you to pay for that 'work' . . .

[valkyrie]

I recently had my car in a so called proffesional tranny shop dealing in high performance race cars....

Aside from them keeping the car nearly two weeks as they suddenly became busy and couldn't make my promise date....

Today I am told it is ready, but something happened. Something???

Here they drained the coolant to install the rear engine cooler mod, and promply backed out of the install for fear of screwing something up. Screwing something up????

Here when they took it for a drive, they forgot to tighten the radiator cap. Lost the cap on the road way somewhere....and sprayed my freshly detailed engine compartment with coolant!:fire:

Even they just said...it's really farked up now....and my $250 chrome valve covers are shot!!! He said, I may have to replace them.

I pick up the car tomorrow. Should I make them replace my covers if they are indeed riuned from scortching coolant....and what about having the motor cleaned?

I am really discusted by this error...WHAT WOULD YOU DO?



Any professional organizations would be more than happy to resolve this issue. I agree that it should look the same if not better when picking it up.
I would have been ashamed of telling you. They should have just fixed it! :mad2:

[RF Overlord]

Barry:

I've been in your car and seen under your hood, so I KNOW how much effort you put into keeping it detailed...(WAY more than I do... :rolleyes: ) I can only imagine how galling this must be for you... :mad2:

I do find it strange that your valve covers would be ruined...I would have thought good chrome would be able to take a little coolant overspray... :confused:

From your description of events, I'm not sure I would want these ass-clowns trying to "fix" their screw-ups...although they should definitely pay for them, or compensate you somehow...

[martyo]

Call me, that's what I would do! Seriously.

[RCSignals]

What marty said.

If they didn't do the work on your car, what were they doing test driving it?
What is the milage difference between when you brought it in and now?

[jaywish]

I'm guessing someone tried to rinse the compartment with a hose or gentle powerwash?

They sure should give you a new ford radiator cap.

Did they actually do any work on the car or was the coolant mod the only work scheduled?

Don't you just hate this kind of crap.

[CRUZTAKER]

A bit of an update....

The shop installed my new T/C and did the j-mod. Trannys are their specialty.
I expect the labor bill to be nearly $500.

The rear cooling mod was an after thought, and I had it over-nighted to them from Dennis. I'm out the overnight fees as they never started on the tranny until 9 days after my dropping it off.

I also had the rear end lube changed out. Not sure what that fee will be.

I called around, and the average 'steam clean' job is $75-$100. What worries me more now, is all the coolant that may have gotten into crevices...ie....wiring harness', wire looms, and fuse boxes. Trouble may occur down the road if I cannot clean this out.

As I said, I won't SEE IT until tommorrow. Marty gave me some other advice, and I will be taking pictures, and driving the car before (IF) I pay them.

[Petrograde]

Damn Barry,.. that freakin' sucks!!!

I hope they sqaure you away! If not,... I'd sue,.. or arbitrate.. (again)

[Silver_04]

Walk in there with a lawyer.

[Ross]

I don't say this lightly, but SUE THE BASTARDS!

[jgc61sr2002]

Barry - If it wasn't for bad luck you would have no luck at all. Insist the your Marauder be returned in the condition it came in. Hope it works out. Good luck.

[Smokie]

Barry, start out nice and firm, give the shop the opportunity to make it right, if you believe that they will not do the right thing, withhold any moneys you may owe them or if you paid with a credit card you have the legal right to dispute payment, contact your cardholder and advise then in writing you are withholding payment until matter is resolved. If all that don't work than;:uzi: :shot: I am not qualified to offer advise after I become very angry, because it might not be nice.

[buckyboy]

I would like to think the car will be taken care of before you pick it up. If they are concerned for their reputation, and have any kind of business ethics, it will be taken care of. If not, you have everyright to force them to take care of the problem. #1 BETTER BUSINESS BUR

#2 CONTACT A LAWYER. l tranny shop dealing in high performance race cars....mOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU CAN CONTACT THE MANAGER, BUT YOU MUST CONTACT THE OWNER. ITS THE OWNER WHO WOULD BE MOST CONCERNED WITH YOUR PROBLEM.
]

[CRUZTAKER]

I hear ya Buckyboy....but it WAS the OWNER that made the mess!!!:shake: OK, I am hoping he takes AMEX, cause they will stick up for me the best. I will video tape what I find, and snap pics.

I will dig in and investigate, and take the car for a cruise before we square up. My wife will basically wait at the shop while I do this. If I find coolant inside the wire looms, or on the hood insulation, I will try my best to explain that there is a problem that needs to be resolved financially.....I am not so good with in-person problem resolutions.

Wish me luck, and I will continue to figure out from all of your input exactly how I will deal with this guy tomorrow.

The other issue here is the fact that it is a Holiday weekend, and there is no way in hell that I will leave my car with him to "make it as it was when I brought it in". He has had it 9 days and that is long enough. Besides, they would have to send it out to another moron as they do not have the capacity to clean this mess up. That would work at a dealership...but this is basically a two man operation here. The owner, and his assistant wrench.

[woaface]

Forget lawyers! No offense Marty, but I've got some big guy friends...that should be sufficent. ::Looks to Petro's avatar::

[Glenn]

I am very grateful to have an expert Ford Master Mechanic work on my MM at Team Ford and for reasonable prices. Gears, PI TC, ASB, UDPs, Stat, rear girdle, Ford alarm, and soon Cobra E/S headers and X-pipe. I shudder to hear these stories. All work has been done perfectly along with a good solid 272 RWHP - burn rubber on demand.

MM owners in Atlanta are really lucky.

Glenn

[HwyCruiser]

Barry,

I know you're pissed... I would be too.

My advice, for what it's worth, is too keep calm and objective when dealing with this shop. Let this guy show his hand first. If he makes good on his responsiblities, then great. The best case scenario is this just winds up being a hassle for you. If he turns out to be a jerk, then Marty can tell you what you should do.

You have the upper hand. Don't let your emotions make you fold it. Sorry man, now its time to deal with the risk taken. We've all been there because of something or other. It sucks. Good luck.

- JD

[Donny Carlson]

I am very grateful to have an expert Ford Master Mechanic work on my MM at Team Ford and for reasonable prices. Gears, PI TC, ASB, UDPs, Stat, rear girdle, Ford alarm, and soon Cobra E/S headers and X-pipe. I shudder to hear these stories. All work has been done perfectly along with a good solid 272 RWHP - burn rubber on demand.

MM owners in Atlanta are really lucky.

Glenn
I second that! And Glenn can tell you that he (and I) paid nowhere near $500 for our PI TC installs, even when you factor out the jmod labor cost.

[MARAUDER S/C #5]

Barry, sorry to here of this. It gives me a sick feeling inside to know you put your TRUST in someone ( or some business ) to work on your car and something like this happens. I hope everything works out for you, and that you will be compensated for any and all damages done to your car. :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: (

[cyclone03]

Well,I puked coolent all over my nice clean engine too,simple green on a cold engine cleaned it up very nicely.I redetailed it and all was well .

The only worry I would have with the shop is do they know how to BURP the cooling system properly?


Oh DO NOT USE that castrol super clean stuff,I used it ONCE all the bare aluminum now has a brown tinge,damn.

[CRUZTAKER]

I'm off to see the mess....

I can't thank you folks enough for all of the advice!
I think at minimum he will need to compensate for the time to clean this up as it was when I dropped it off. I can only hope they burped the cooling system correctly...I guess I'll find out during the long drive home. Atleast I have the resources here to figure out how to do it myself if it overheats.

[Fastronald]

Consult an attorney, review this with them. Have them send a registered letter to the shop informing them of you intenetion to sue. Let them settle it there or in court. I agree.pictures, pictures, pictures.

[buckyboy]

How did you make out, im curious....The reason i mentioned to deal only with the oqner is because i have owned several furniture stores, and believe me although i had some very good employees, i was always concerned with the reputation of my business. If one of my employees upset a customer, i made it right with the customer no matter what the cost to me or my business. Hope it turned out to your satisfaction. steve
I hear ya Buckyboy....but it WAS the OWNER that made the mess!!!:shake: OK, I am hoping he takes AMEX, cause they will stick up for me the best. I will video tape what I find, and snap pics.

I will dig in and investigate, and take the car for a cruise before we square up. My wife will basically wait at the shop while I do this. If I find coolant inside the wire looms, or on the hood insulation, I will try my best to explain that there is a problem that needs to be resolved financially.....I am not so good with in-person problem resolutions.

Wish me luck, and I will continue to figure out from all of your input exactly how I will deal with this guy tomorrow.

The other issue here is the fact that it is a Holiday weekend, and there is no way in hell that I will leave my car with him to "make it as it was when I brought it in". He has had it 9 days and that is long enough. Besides, they would have to send it out to another moron as they do not have the capacity to clean this mess up. That would work at a dealership...but this is basically a two man operation here. The owner, and his assistant wrench.

[Sactown]

In principle, everyone is right in saying that the shop should return it to you in as good or better condition, but I'd feel like I don't want the bozo near my property any more. What a frustrating situation! Sorry that you have to go through this!

[CRUZTAKER]

OK, Here's the deal. First off, the car did overheat almost immediately. Thanks to the plethera of information here, and a quick phone call to Mac....I personally resolved this issue in 10 minutes, as the high performance tranny guy had no clue, and even less desire to make another mess. BTW, I made no further mess.

The guy actually claimed to have spent 4 hours cleaning the car. It appears that the polished coil covers were buffed again, as they actually look BETTER than when I dropped it off. 90% of the coolant spill has been removed. There is a little here and there tucked under covers and such, but the wiring harness' are good to go, and the fuse boxes were dry.

The biggest mess is the insulating pad on the hood. I pointed out that there is no cleaning that back to original, as it was stained bad. He agreed to replace it, and I ordered a new one on the spot from the dealer and had $85 off the bill.

There is no way to put a price on my labor to actually reclean everything, and I didn't have the balls to push it any further. I did however make him write on the service order in detail of the incident.

The drive home was uneventfull, and I believe this is truley water...err...coolant... under the bridge at this point. I did pay my bill in full less the replacement cost of the insulating pad.

The new T/C is flippin crazy!!! The tires break loose 5x worse than before and the hole shot is incredible. I need to search, and perhaps start a new thread to help answer some of the new pecularitys (sp?) in the way it shifts now....:rock:

[martyo]

^^^Excellent news my friend!!^^^

I am glad it all worked out well.

[Petrograde]

^^^what he said^^^ :up:

[FiveO]

:up:

What they said!

My PI Torque Converter is sitting in its box 6 feet from me now...can't wait to get it installed!!!

[woaface]

My big dude friends would have worked too...:shot:

[Patrick]

Barry....You should get your car back equal to or better than the way you left it with them.
BEND THEM OVER AND.......http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/d0/sex.gif

I'M with this!!!!!!!!!!!1

[CRUZTAKER]

I have an idea of how to make a good thing out of a bad event.....

CHECK THIS OUT (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=148521#post14 8521)