WARNING: YOU MAY GET RIPPED OFF LIKE I DID…read more
One Auto charged me $533.13. for 4 days of storage and $191.92 for "towing" of my car (he drove it) about a mile to his shop. Picture attached.
On 9/21 (Saturday night), my BMW 328 was vandalized in Palisades Park. A friend (now, ex-friend), who knows the owner of One Auto, called him. He came by and said that he will take the car to his shop, which is about a mile away, for safe storage while I file a claim. He seemed nice and was pleasant.
I filed a claim with GEICO and an inspection was scheduled for Tuesday, 9/24. On Monday, 9/23, I called One Auto and asked if he had repaired BMWs before. Instead of answering my question, he asked me to sign an authorization form to begin repairs. I told him that GEICO rep has to come by and do a complete inspection. He didn't like that answer and said that my car was taking up space in his garage. I told him, GEICO inspector will be out the next day and I will pay the storage charge. After the call, I felt uneasy about One Auto owner's ability and honesty. So, I asked around friends who had had their cars repaired.
Tuesday, 9/24, morning, I decided to have my BMW repaired at K2 Auto Repair in Edgewater, NJ. I called Ashely, the GEICO inspector, who said she was OK with my moving the car to K2. She further said that she will cut a check to One Auto for the four days of storage and towing fees. I told her that One Auto didn't tow the car.
Thinking everything was sorted out, I coordinated with Eric of K2 to have my car towed to his shop. About an hour later, One Auto calls and tells me that he can not release the car until I pay him for storage and towing. I told him that GEICO inspector, who was there at the time of the call, will cut him a check. He didn't want GEICO to pay him. He wanted me to pay him. I don't know why; he refused to answer me and kept asking for payment. I spoke with the GEICO inspector and she was confused by One Auto's insistence of being paid by me instead of GEICO. However, she couldn't do anything more. By this time the Sano's towing truck arrived. I asked for a bill to be sent to me so I could pay him. He sent me the bill and I was shocked. $725.05!
Being at work, I asked a friend to go over and pay One Auto, so I could get my car out this unscrupulous person's shop. Sano's towing came by again and towed my car to K2, which is about 4.7 miles away, for $125. Based on my experience, I recommend people to avoid this shop.
TL;DR - This shop ripped me off and lied to me while acting nice and friendly. Avoid this shop unless you like overpaying and being lied to.