'84 K5 is my baby but I got ripped off from a shop HELP PLEASE

[amysinsanity]

I love my truck, but I picked up a rock while playing and put a whole in my radiator. 1300$ later I had a new radiator and head gasket. The shop that did it put in a faulty radiator though, they did a realy poor job they didnt hook up the vaccum advance, they left the carb. loose and had all my vaccum lines backwards, and didnt hook up the tranny cooling lines right. Since they did all this the tranny ended up getting a inside wash job with water. They say they arent responsable for the repair of my tranny, 2200$ later I have a rebuilt 700 R4 in it. any suggestions on getting my money back from them????????? Im young and looking for expierenced suggestion's on how to deal with them.

[airforceone]

What state do you live in? Most states have laws against that type of business. You should contact your local police department or visit your library and thumb through your state laws. I'm sure there's some type of buyer protection system in effect.

[amysinsanity]

I live in Washington state, and the place talks to me like I'm a dumb girl. the PD says its a personal matter and they cant get involved, I have to take them to court. Thanks for the info though. In the mean time my babys sitting in a shop calling my name. The shop that did the tranny wont give it back untill its paid for. That wont be long though pay day is tomorrow. Thanks again

[rstroud]

Get all your documentation, receipts, receipts of additional repairs you have paid to correct their mistakes, etc. together and take them to small claims court! You have a great case. You may want to talk to the manager of the shop once more and try to negotiate a deal and tell the mgr. that you are prepared to go to court. Did you try and get them to repair it before taking it somewhere else?

P.S. Be sure to also ask for reimbursement of court costs in your complaint

[madmonk210]

File a complaint with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). They helped me out in the time of need. If that business gets enough complaints sent to the Bureau they can lose their business license.

[amysinsanity]

after all the problems they created I wouldnt let them touch my truck ever again. When I brought my truck there in the first place they, messed up so much stuff and I did take it back to them once they said they needed it for an hour or so that was at 10am at 5pm I told them I was coming to get it and i was taking it to another shop. Its looking like court is going to be my only option because its the owner of the shop I've been talking to. But they are backed by a fairly large company here in washington.Thanks

[criticalbass]

Amy--As an '84 K5 owner, I feel for you. My local tranny guy in OKC replaced one for me with a rebuilt unit upgraded to '86 specs (much stronger) for under $800, but to be fair he is lots lower priced than the other shops I have checked here, and we poor Oklahomans don't have as much money as most folks closer to the big waters.

The other advice you have received is good. Do not let these slime win. Not only do you lose, so do all their other customers, and I suspect especially their female customers. (I am not a woman, but some of my best friends are women) [60's civil rights humor--sorry]

Most attorneys will meet with you once at no charge (not sure about your state). If that's so for your state, take advantage of that. You may want to employ one who'll take the case on a percentage of money recovered. Sue for more than enough to cover the fee and court costs.

I'm not an attorney either, and none of my best friends are, but I like them better than incompetent and abusive garages.

Go get 'em! CB