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Repair Options  Rip Offs

I have been working on a 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado for 5 years. Fixing it up as I wanted it to be a nice collectors car. The Body was in perfect condition as well as the interior with a nice stereo system. I'd recently installed a brand new stock crate engine costing me well over $2,200.00. The car had been parked while being restored for 5 years. On July 23rd 2007, I stopped at Tennyson Automotive Clinic and spoke with Rich Lamb. I questioned him on his services and he agreed to work on my vehicle for emissions purposes. We agreed that I would park my car in his parking lot and I would leave the keys in his overnight drop box the following day. On Tuesday July 24th 2007, I had my wife follow me to Tennyson Automotive Clinic on 29th and Tennyson and I parked my car in Rich Lambs place of business as close as I could to the building. On Wednesday July 25th 2007, I stopped by Tennyson Automotive clinic to check on the status of my vehicle. I drive by Tennyson Automotive Clinic every day to and from work. Rich Lamb stated to me, "I'm sorry but we didn't get a chance to look at your vehicle." I asked him if he thought it would be done the following day. Rich Lamb agreed that he would have the time to work on my vehicle the following day. On Thursday July 26th 2007, once again I stopped at Tennyson Automotive Clinic to check on the status of my vehicle. Rich Lamb stated to me that he would once again like to hang on to my car for one more day. He stated to me that he would like to be the one to take it to get it's emissions. He stated to me that way, if there were any adjustments the vehicle needed to pass emissions, he could do it and get the car to pass. I agreed that I would allow him to take the vehicle for emissions and return for the car the following day. I saw my car in his parking lot facing the street with the window down and the car unlocked. That was the last I saw of my vehicle. On Friday July 27th 2007, I once again drove by Tennyson Automotive Clinic at about 7:00 am on my way to work. I did not see my vehicle and it looked as though they were open for business. I thought to myself, "Wow, great, they already took my car to get the emissions test. Maybe I'll get it back today?" As soon as I got to work, my phone rang. The call was from Rich Lamb. He stated to me that my car had been stolen. Immediately I left work and went to Tennyson Automotive Clinic where I was also met there with a Denver Police Officer. There it was determined that my vehicle had been stolen. After the police report was taken, I asked Rich Lamb his liability surrounding my car being stolen from his place of business while I entrusted him to take care of my vehicle. Rich Lamb stated to me, "I have no liability of your car being stolen." I left at that point. Once again I returned to work. As I did, the phone once again rang and it was the police saying that my car had been found and that it was at the Denver police impound lot. I once again left work and immediately went down to the Denver police impound lot and they told me that I could not see my car and that there was an arson hold on the vehicle. It took me one week to finally get my destroyed car back. The car was stolen from Rich Lambs business Tennyson Automotive Clinic of whom I entrusted to take care of my vehicle and it was in almost perfect condition and a collectors item and now a burned up totally destroyed vehicle. My vehicle had been stolen and set on fire and there was nothing left on the inside whatsoever. The car was a total loss other than the engine that I pulled and now have nothing to do with it other than store it at a family members home and is only getting in his way.

Appraisers license Revoked, posted CL but was flagged

Figured I'd give heads up to those seeking Appraisal Services. We were a victim of a greedy broker who referred this appraiser to use to inflate the value of our home for refinance. Though not realized until 2 years later, we found the appraisal valuing our home at $210k was totally fabricated. We found this after actually noticing the first house pictured was one directly across the street, a 2 bedroom rental. According to the appraisal, it was a 5 bedroom brick ranch 1.8 miles away! Further investigating found that the other THREE were fake also. We documented everything (two of the houses pictured were actually occupied by people we knew), sent copies of the appraisal to the Colorado State Board of Realtors in April via email. After conducting their own investigation, I was informed yesterday that that the Board has recommended REVOKING his license. If he doesn't surrender it, he goes before a judge and he takes it. Appraisers Name:
 

TOM WATSON
Address : 13480 W 60TH PL
City, State ZIP : ARVADA, CO 80004
Date Submitted Online : 03/04/2008
Complaint Number : 2008030284
 

Please note that the "loan specialist" who referred him to make sure our home was worth $210k was Jennifer Foss Whitmore, 1st Choice Financial, so draw your own conclusion there. Please check your documents thoroughly, and if these names are there, check them closer, and if they are, feel free to contact me because more than one victims makes stronger review.
Also know that the State did it's job here, which I give praise. On-line complaints are easier and faster response - you can scan and send your documents, whatever. And from someone who's been there, be careful of everything you sign. It cost us the $210k, plus our hopes and dreams. God Bless,
Tim,

Just to list 2 among 1,000.  So, because they are such outright crooks, I will be contacting Homeland Security to voice my belief. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll find some terrorists hiding there!  Do not believe Billy Mays - I've lost all respect for this man and if I ever see him in public, I'll voice my complaints and beliefs.  And If I do not get my money back, I will be closing all of my accounts with KEY Bank and finding another.

Latest Factory Defect  1999 Pontiac Grand Prix:

The 3.8L in the 1997-1999 Pontiacs and Buicks (Grand Prix, LaSabre) non-turbocharged, have a serious defect - the plastic plenum for the air intake and the Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve conflict.  The E G R valve hits much higher temps than the plenum can withstand, causing it to creating a "hydro lock"  cylinder, thus locking up the engine.  Big problem to figure out... More on this later.

How many people out there have taken their car to a repair shop for what seems to be a simple fix only to get slapped with some astronomical bill or estimate?  Most of my most valued customers are a result of that exact situation.

Example:

Kathy, a good friend came to me in tears, a while back, because her engine was knocking.  A little '98 Saturn.  She had taken it to the Saturn dealership, who told her $5000.00 would be the cost for repair - replace the engine.  True, it did need the engine replaced, that's the result of not doing regular vehicle maintenance, i.e., oil changes.  In short, I found a low mileage engine from wrecked car for $750.00.  Her total cost was $1600.00. 

Chris, another A. A. friend, took his '91 GMC truck to JUST BRAKES for their supposed $99.00 brake job.  They gave him a$2500 estimate.  Chris had connections with an auto parts chain and bought all the parts JUST BRAKES listed needed to be replaced, and brought them to me to install.  They had listed every brake component on the truck.  After inspecting the brake system, I found the only thing in need of replacement was the front pads - part price $19.00, my inspection and labor charge $45.00 - his total cost $65.00.  JUST BRAKES has brought me more business than all other auto repair shop combined.  Chris returned all the other parts.

ALL DEALERSHIPS

The worst of them all are the dealerships.  People naturally assume that the place that made the car is the best place to take the car.  Wrong choice.  Consider this: the most expensive parts are made by the manufacturer. For instance, a Chevy water pump from Chevy, $100.00.  Same part from Advance Auto Parts, $19.00.  It has the same lifetime warranty as the dealer part.  Consider this: If the factory part was better, why did the one being replaced fail?  Most dealerships charge $100 plus, just to open your hood!!!

GRAND KIA in Thornton, CO. has brought me business this way.  $2000.00 to replace a fuel regulator in a 2001 Blazer.  I charged the man $300.00 and $200.00 of that was for the part.

As far as I'm concerned, dealerships are the biggest criminal of all in the auto repair industry.  I've been with friends who's taken their car to dealerships because something was suppose to be covered under warranty.  I stand there and listen to them tell the person outrageous tales of what they find and what it will cost.  And I suppose it's my knowledge of cars that makes it so hard to believe these explanations, but it still floors me!  But to watch them charge someone $400.00 to replace a $15.00 part that only take 15 minutes to install is unbelievable.

Whenever I get upset about a shops business practices, I'll post them here. Or if you have a RIP OFF story from a shop, send it here & I'll post it.   

Always get a second opinion