This shop was recommended to me by a long-time friend. The owner gave me an estimate for a new headliner.
The quote was fair ($330.00). So I scheduled the work to be done.
Short story long, I brought my car in as scheduled at 8am. I made it clear that I needed it back no later than 6pm..."no problem" he said.
5:30pm rolls around, so I walk over to pick my car up, arriving at 5:50pm. The shop is closed and my car is (thankfully) "locked" behind a plastic chain fastened with a nut and bolt.
I call the owner to let him know that I am taking my car and I will return first thing the next morning. "But I need to get my money and vacuum the car a little bit" he says. My reply; "please don't worry, I'm not a thief, and besides, you have my spare key which I will be wanting back...see you in the morning".
I get in my car, AND HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!
The interior is COVERED in debris, the trim panels are spattered with glue, one (irreplaceable) panel is broken, another is missing a clip that is vital for it's proper fitment, and the sunroof control no longer works.
Upon returning the next morning, I point all of this out to him. His relpy; As for the panels - "those were already broken"...BULL.SHAT!!! They were in pristine condition. And as for the sunroof control - "I don't know, I didn't touch it"...REALLY? Then how in the hell did you get the new material underneath the bezel?
I made it clear that he needs to correct all of this. "Okay" he says. Then he proceeds to "troubleshoot" the sunroof issue by repeatedly pressing the button in rapid succession as if he were a tweaker fervently clicking a mouse to load Internet porn.
I stopped him and proceeded to schedule the repairs and pay him (big mistake *facepalm*, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW, F!CK, I KNOW. OKAY!).
He says "going to be $350.00, it was a lotta work".
*DEADPANBITCHFACE* I look at him and remind him that he quoted me $330.00
"Okay treechirty" he says. I payed and scheduled my return... C'est La Vie.
After much contemplation and pissedoffedness, I came to the realization that I wouldn't let this person take out my trash. So he will definitely not be touching my car again. I'd rather take the loss.
This whole experience has reminded me of the company tagline from Ken Sorensen's shop in Pasadena, which was; "Long after price forgotten...Quality remains". They did AMAZING work. I will forever miss them.
We've been #Walmartized (you heard it here first) my fellow Americans and the Craftsmen, us consumers, and the fabric of our country has deteriorated to rags. read more