On June 26, 2022, I was driving off road and hit an unexpected rut, then a bit later hit a rock. I could tell something was wrong with my car, it was clunking and I got it home, but it smelled like burning oil/rubber. The transmission would Clang when I put it in gear and at low speed. On 6-27-22 I had it towed to Askim Auto.
I told the above to Jim. He called me later and said I had a broken transmission mount, that he ordered the part and it would be in the next day. I asked how much and he said he didn't know, that he didn't ask. The next day he called and said "The plot thickens, they sent the wrong part and the part was on national back order for two months. Do you have some friends that want to call around?" I said what about salvage? He said - OH - hold on, let me call you right back. 4 Minutes later he called back and said he found one! But it would not be available until after the holiday weekend on July 5. So my guy friends called around and found some, but after market. I called Jim to tell him this. He said: "My guy went to great lengths to get you this part for you!" and he didn't want to use after market. I said Ok, you're the expert.
He also said my car was fine to drive. That he drove it to the parts store and it was fine. He said: "Why don't you pick it up and enjoy your holiday weekend? Just don't drive it off road, but you could drive it like that for a year. Honestly, it's fine. " I was concerned about causing more damage, Jim said: "I'm 99.99% sure it's safe to drive and that you won't cause any further damage. Don't worry about it. Just have fun!"
So I picked up my car and was still concerned about driving it, but did because I was told it was safe. I didn't go anywhere except for absolute necessity because despite his assurance the car was fine, it felt Wrong.
I dropped it off 7-5-22 at 6:50 am. Jim said it should be done by noon for sure. He called me later and said "The plot thickens. You have a broken motor mount. I had to special order the part, it will be here tomorrow. I started to ask a question, he cut me off and said "I don't know how much, I didn't ask, I just know you need it." He said it now was not safe to drive.
He also said: "You know, I never even looked under the hood"
The next day he said the car was ready. Yes, I was Very upset. Jim put me and the public in harms way and also potential further damage to my car by "not looking under the hood". I had an apt with a new mechanic. When I arrived to get my car, he said, "There she is!! Let me show you something, and was guiding me to the broken mounts on the work bench.
I wanted to know why he told me he was 99.99% sure my car was safe to drive and sent me out on the highway when he also told never looked under the hood. He tried to talk in circles several times, but I stood my ground repeating my question, eventually he said: "I saw the broken transmission mount right away and just figured that was it." Me: So you looked at nothing else??
I cannot understand this behavior from a so called professional. He said he was just trying to help me. By telling me my car was safe when he didn't even look under the hood? I asked three times for him to show me what he wanted to. He said, "I deserve to be treated like a human and with respect" I said I feel like I was not treated with respect when you told me come get your car it's safe when you never even looked at it!!
He said he was going to give me a discounted rate of $590. I said I wanted an itemized bill. I wanted to see the receipts for the parts to verify they were factory and his hourly rate to verify that's what his other customers get. He said: "If that's the way you feel, then leave. You don.' pay anything just leave." I said "OK"
Took the car to a new mechanic. They told me that was Jim replaced was a broken Snubber mount. Jim attached the new Subber to a broken subrame. He said the subrame was not just cracked, but completely broken hanging down 1.5 inches and I also had broken motor mounts.
Yep - your reputation will speak for itself! read more
