I had a plug in EV with a dead battery for lack of use. I called the dealer and recommended replacing the battery after the old battery was not charging. I needed tow the car to the dealer in Alexandria, I live in Washington. I called DMV Express Towing and got Fotis Sadikaj, he later told me, he was the owner, who said he would change the battery in my garage for $300/the cost of towing the car. I purchased a new battery, he picked it up came to my home and replaced it. The car would not start after many attempts so he replaced the old battery in the car. The new battery was placed on the floor of the car in front of the front passenger seat, Initially it would not charge, then he suggested we use an outlet inside the building. It turned out the outlets in the garage didn't work. So we waited overnight for full charge. At some point during the repair Fotis, said he wanted to purchase the car. I had an offer from Carvana and wanted it running so they could pick it up. Fotis made a lower offer for the car before we got it, while it was not drivable. Because we were having so mush trouble getting it started, and he seemed like a really nice man, I accepted his low offer. While we were waiting for the car to charge fully, I accepted a partial cash payment for the car with the understanding that Fotis would pay the balance $1000 upon receipt of the car the next day, it takes overnight to get a full charge on the car using 240v outlet we were using. The next morning the car was fully charged but it still would not start. I suggested that perhaps the key fob needed a new battery. I obtained a battery and Fotis place it in the key fob. Too bad we didn't figure that out the day before.
While we were figuring out this problem Fotis said repeatedly that there be other problems with the car, because it had not been started for so long. I never picked up on what he was hinting at. I was 78 and very forgetful. I was so excited that the car started and was drivable that I forgot that he had promised to pay the balance $1000 and that the new battery was in the car. Fotis drove off with the car and battery and tried to take my 50 ft extension cord, but I saw it in the car and told him it was not included. That was on 5/24/23.
On 5/25/23 it hit me like a lightbulb, that I had not received the final payment, he had not given me a bill for his services, $300 for the battery change and he had my battery which cost me $240. I called him and got no response, I texted him and got not response and I had a male friend call him on my behalf, and got no response. During the time we were getting the car started Fotis, talked about his dislike of people who rip off little old ladies, and for fleeting moment I had the thought he was talking about himself. Turns out I was right. I hope he can smile when he looks in the mirror.
While I can't complain about his work, Fotis lacks integrity and has no issue with ripping off little old ladies like myself. I'm now 79, and it has taken me so long to write this review about the owner of an, apparently, successful business, I was hoping speaking with my friend would make a difference. What I want is my $1000, $240 to reimburse me for my costs, since he is the only one who can benefit from it and a bill for charging the battery and getting the car running, even though I'm the one who actually got the car running.
Whatever the outcome of this review, thank you for listening. And I hope it prevents another trusting person, young or old, from trusting
Fotis Zadikaj
With gratitude,
Karamah Khashiun read more
