What caused the blown head gasket isn't the issue....the issue is the over promising, under-delivering and the lack of communication. People would be surprised how patient someone is if you sympathize with them and keep them updated, regardless of what it is.

Dodging your customer, excuses, broken turnaround times.......those are all not confidence inspiring.

 

Update:

I called the shop and left a message on their answering machine, and they responded. This time I talked to a guy named Dan who apparently owns the shop. He gave me some information I was very surprised to hear.

Apparently on top of blowing a headgasket, the "tuner" also torched my BR Stage 3 head, scored the walls in cylinder 2 of my 2.1 4g64, and cracked the crank. I asked if I may pick up the car, and I was told I would have to pay 30 days worth of storage @ $28 per day.

Dan then put me on the phone with a man named Bill, and he explained the situation a little better, and told me what I needed to do to fix the car. I need to have the head welded up, the block redone and O-ringed because the head is so messed up, new water pump, head studs, gasket, crank, machine work, etc. Total to get the car in driving condition $4780...

I have no idea where the money went that I sent to my tuner. The few thousand dollars we exchanged seems to be missing. I told this to my Lawyer, and he said if this is all true, then its a decently clear cut case. I pay the money to get the car fixed, I give the receipt to him and he sues the said tuner for the damages, loss of use (insurance), etc.

And to make matters better, the tune... is no good. I'll need to pay another shop to do that for me. WONDERFUL.

 

edit: delete

 

Good thing you did not wait too long, as every state has a statute of limitations for property damage claims and if they are not preserved via lawsuit it could expire leaving you no recourse at all.

I would include those storage fees as part of the claim. I find it strange that the shop did not mention the storage fees sooner.

It is unfortunate when lawyers get involved, as they are the only ones that come out of a lawsuit doing well.

 

Unfortunate to hear; none of the people there sound like very good people in the first place. Were they recommended to you by a friend/forums or was it just like 'hey a tuning shop ill go there'?

 

Sounds like some kind of scam to me!!! I'd be very careful.

 

Yeah the whole situation is terrible. I just want this to be over. It seems like everyone is out to dig into my pockets and no one is inclined to help even a little.

I was sent to the tuner, not the shop, and I wont say by who because he's a very reputable guy here and I don't wanna demolish his reputation.

 

wow thats crazy man! can't believe there is more damage, this is nuts, my thing is if the tuner did the damage he need to fix it plain and simple or work something out, no one has 5 grand to give them to fix the car ugh this isn't even my car and I'm pissed off about the whole situation and I bet Dan have a attitude didn't he?

 

The problem is the tuner is never there, never responds to me, blah blah blah. I would love for him to finish the job, but after all he's done I don't trust him as far as I can throw a VW bug. Quite honestly, I don't want him within 10 feet of my car. If I personally see him face to face, we're gonna have words.

Dan was a bit mouthy, but so was I. I cannot blame him for being upset, but then again, the only time he's ever contacted me back was when I threatened to come get the car and sue his face off for property damage. He never called me with updates, where "Mr. Tuner" was, etc.

I will pay the money to have the car fixed, however; I will be suing the tuner for what hes cost me, and I will get it. I have all of our phone record, text messages, paypal transaction, etc printed. It all makes him look like a scam artist, and I will get my money back. Thats not even a question.

 

Not asking for a name, but the point of reputation is that it's earned. It's not like facebook where there's only a 'like' button and no 'dislike' button. Reputation goes both ways. I'd at least have a nice chat with the guy who recommended you, if he knows the shop personally then I'd have an even longer chat with him.

 

kwanza is on point, stuff he mentions is what i just got tested on my law exam.

 

are you going to pay the garage their shady storage fee and have another shop finish it?

I would give them the bare minimum to get my car out of there and take it anyplace else. At this point I would imagine a Sears could do a better job putting the car back together, at least they'll stand behind their work.

 

Honestly homie storage fees are bull****. The tuner should be paying it since you paid the tuner to fix it and he's allowed it to sit there. You need to go get your car (armed with the evidence of payment to said tuner) and tow your $#!t to a shop that won't d!ck you around.

Please for the love of god do NOT do your engine rebuild there. Thats crazy. As far as I'm concerned they are just as bad as the tuner. Don't do it dude....you will regret it.

Think about it. He caught an attitude for something that obviously wasn't you're fault. The tuner is at fault here and left the owner of the shop holding the bag for this mesed up situation...... what motivation does he have to take care of you.

If he had offered to take care of you for a decent price because of all the $#!t said tuner put you through is one thing but to charge you storage fee's when it wasn't your fault the car has sat there for so long shows you how much he thinks of the situation or business..........he's saying YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.

Take you car elsewhere homie.....you'll regret it.

 

agreed, i wouldnt let them touch it.

 

but I don't care how mouthy you were he is a "SHOP OWNER" there is no way in hell he should be mouthy to his customer! the customer is always right especially with this situation he should of held in his anger and not even got mouthy but I honestly am not trying to wish bad on people but this shop won't be open long I can tell.