What would you do if you dropped your perfect running FD off at a peformance shop on a saturday to get the downpipe tightened because it was leaking exhaust and get your brakes done. and they call back on on thursday telling you that "I was just driving the car and it started running shitty so i did a compression check and your rear rotor has no compression." to top it all off they put 225 miles on the car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now they want ME to pay for the motor.

Now what!

 

ummmmmmm.


Get a lawyer.


=Ben

 

Yeah, unless you've already signed a waiver of liability... which for downpipe work you should not have.... I'd start suing.

Work with them and have them replace it... if they refuse, take them to court. Check Small Claims in Florida.... sue them for the max.. probably 5k (what it'll most likely cost you at a reputable shop), and then take your car elsewhere to have it rebuilt and replaced.

They'll most likely settle out of court... if they start getting shady, report them to BBB as well.

I always try and work things out before making court threats.... not sure what type of shop they are running... however, it may be difficult to prove your car was fine before you took it in unless you had prior documentation.

HOWEVER... 225 miles on the car?!?!? WHAT THE F**K.

I'd be suing for damages like a ****.... file a claim... 225 miles, I could see 5-10 to test the brakes... 225... you have to be out of your damn mind.

Anytime I've taken my car to a shop which is questionable (only did this once or twice long ago) - I would have them sign off on the mileage as well as condition. I'd just do a quick write up. If they refuse to sign it.. then I take my business elsewhere. It's basically given me a paper which I can present if I have to sue....

Best of luck and keep us posted!! Man... thats some bullcrap.

 

dhahlen is right, go through the necessacary steps to resolve it peacefully first...if not then take action.

 

yeah really get a damn lawyer and sue em to the ground. wtf is with them joyriding it for 225 miles???? its a blatant disrespect for your property, their profession, and id blackball the hell out of their integrity as a reliable shop.

your proof is your car was working when you took it in and now you are getting a car back with a blown engine (not to mention the extra 225 miles!!!). id also suggest using another rotary specialist to prove the dmg done cuz im sure the lawyer will need hard evidence to get you victory in the courtroom (if it goes that far).

 

225!? wow time to bust out the Louisville Slugger and go Tonya Harding on some kneecaps!

 

it will be hard to prove it, if you didnt take a pict of the milage before droping it off. but yeah, like everyone said. sue there ***...if that happened to me, i'd flip ****

 

Agreed, that will be the foundation of your court case if it goes that far.

 

it's easy enough to fake a picture of the mileage retroactively if you need to, the bastards shouldn't be taking cars out for engine blowing 225 mile test drives

 

omg..... 225miles.....

+1 to getting a lawyer and sue those bastards. Also report them to Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org/

 

OMG not another one

 

Documentation is your friend, perhaps your only friend.

 

I'm not sure what you mean. You're not suggesting lying (and possibly perjuring yourself) in an attempt to prove unethical behavior on the part of someone else?

 

I would never, ever bring an FD to any shop for anything, but I would suggest a rear view mirror hang tag with the following text to anyone who does, with a carbon copy retained by the owner:

do not let this car EVER idle unattended
do not let this car idle for more than 5 minutes UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
failure to follow the above warnings may result in engine damage that is the responsibility of the service facility.
ONLY the following service is to be performed:
estimated cost of service:
call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx prior to performing any additional work if the cost will exceed $xxx
the vehicle service will be completed on this estimated date:
If it takes beyond x days after the estimated date of completion to finish this service and the work is not done, $xxx will be paid to the service facility and the vehicle will be released without further obligation except for the cost of parts.
the mileage when this car was dropped off at this location is xx,xxx
if a test drive is required following repair of this vehicle, no more than x miles will be required.
there is no body damage to the car and it is in perfect running condition when presented for service, with the following exceptions:
warning: the sheetmetal body of this car is thinner than normal auto body panels and will dent from leaning or even significant finger pressure.
any body damage or mechanical failure not evident prior to service is the responsibility of the service facility
(shop managers signature)

I keep hearing of this type of situation, and it may be that you will have a hard time finding a shop that will sign such an agreement, if so, learn how to do it yourself, or keep looking.
tom

 

damn man, that is outrageous!!! yeah, id would try to resolve it "nicely"with the shop. if that doesnt work then id threaten to get a lawyer and call the BBB and so on.

I would NOT settle for THEM fixing the problem if they do decide to cooperate with you. find a good shop and take it there instead.

Good luck man!! keep us posted.

 

will be kinda hard to prov that they put 225 miles on there..

 

225 miles???!!!!!! If you were on my country I'd definitely get a lawyer. If you're sure they've been driving your car for that amount of miles you can not trust anything they can tell you. ****, this is a real weird horror story!!!

 

my $.02 is even if you get a lawyer, your more than likely not going to win, my family has a few lawyers and i can tell you unless you had written proof of the mileage when you dropped it off and picked it up, your probably not going to get anything, now if you have proof that the car was running fine before, i.e. someone you work with that has seen you in the car, not a personal friend, but someone in that area you stand a chance, as it would be easy to prove the sensitivity of rotary engines to bad driving. good luck man let us know if it gets to that