Auto shop feedback

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Scuba Steve said:
I would have given them the chance to repair pay for everything including the tow. Someone put the nuts on and then got distracted and forgot to tighten them probably happens more often than it should.

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I went back there but one of them is very argumentative and said he needs to see the car, (at that time it was at my regular shop with one wheel off), and every paying the bill conversation led to them fixing or servicing it in some way.
I don’t know any lawyers, perhaps serving them civil court papers would make them pay the bill upfront.
 
nyx said:
I went back there but one of them is very argumentative and said he needs to see the car, (at that time it was at my regular shop with one wheel off), and every paying the bill conversation led to them fixing or servicing it in some way.
I don’t know any lawyers, perhaps serving them civil court papers would make them pay the bill upfront.
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You could ask for your deductible in small claims court.

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Your auto insurance is for claims while driving... it is not set up for "consumer protection", which is your issue.
Your insurance company has decided it is cheaper to pay you out that to try to recoup your losses... mainly because this isn't your auto insurance purview. This isn't why you buy auto insurance, and isn't REALLY covered by your policy. Your insurance company THINKS they're doing you a favour.
You are free to try to recoup your monies through small claims court ( you shouldn't NEED a lawyer)... but you'll end up paying your insurance company anything they paid out, and you get to keep the rest (there won't be any money left for you after expenses, you MIGHT even lose money)
You could start by sending the shop a demand letter for your deductible... or the total amount.. you decide (plus ACTUAL expenses).

Sorry... I think the smartest thing to do was to tow the car back to the shop and get them to fix it on day one. If you end up in court: be prepared to answer the question: Why didn't you take the car back to the shop to get fixed? The shop would NEED to see the car to provide a defense... AND you are required to let them see the car to build a defense. If you go to court the car is evidence, and you cannot withhold evidence.
 
bitzz said:
Your auto insurance is for claims while driving... it is not set up for "consumer protection", which is your issue.
Your insurance company has decided it is cheaper to pay you out that to try to recoup your losses... mainly because this isn't your auto insurance purview. This isn't why you buy auto insurance, and isn't REALLY covered by your policy. Your insurance company THINKS they're doing you a favour.
You are free to try to recoup your monies through small claims court ( you shouldn't NEED a lawyer)... but you'll end up paying your insurance company anything they paid out, and you get to keep the rest (there won't be any money left for you after expenses, you MIGHT even lose money)
You could start by sending the shop a demand letter for your deductible... or the total amount.. you decide (plus ACTUAL expenses).

Sorry... I think the smartest thing to do was to tow the car back to the shop and get them to fix it on day one. If you end up in court: be prepared to answer the question: Why didn't you take the car back to the shop to get fixed? The shop would NEED to see the car to provide a defense... AND you are required to let them see the car to build a defense. If you go to court the car is evidence, and you cannot withhold evidence.
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The smartest thing would’ve been never set a foot there. When they told me I didn’t bring the bolts, but they nearly chucked them out instead.
I don’t trust them to install new breaks.
I still have all the damaged parts though.
 
nyx said:
I went back there but one of them is very argumentative and said he needs to see the car, (at that time it was at my regular shop with one wheel off), and every paying the bill conversation led to them fixing or servicing it in some way.
I don’t know any lawyers, perhaps serving them civil court papers would make them pay the bill upfront.
Click to expand...
$500 is small claims court territory. I would do that. Screw them for such a mistake that could’ve had very serious consequences.
 
nyx said:
The smartest thing would’ve been never set a foot there. When they told me I didn’t bring the bolts, but they nearly chucked them out instead.
I don’t trust them to install new breaks.
I still have all the damaged parts though.
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Ready to name and shame yet?
 
nyx said:
Right before Christmas, I took my car to a nearby recommended auto shop to change winter tires.

The very next day one tire almost comes off on DVP. It was hanging in by 1 bolt and jammed breaks.

Today my insurance informed me they will cover the damages but they won’t go after the tire shop so I’m liable for the $500. Because they decided it would be hard to prove fault and not worth their time.

Anyone been in similar situation and has advice?
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An associate had the same problem with a Ford dealership down toward Port Dover. He raised hell and they replaced the wheels on his pickup.

Do small towns spread the news better?

Another case a Brampton shop goofed on the front end of a BMW and the wheel came off on the QEW, tearing apart the fender. It was a rinky dink shop and I don't know how it was handled. BMW fenders sound expensive.
 
Costs you nothing to write them a letter demanding that your out of pocket costs be covered, the $500 deductible and whatever else was not paid for by the insurance company. I assume you took pictures. They either pay you or they don't. If they don't then sue them in small claims court if you wish.
 
mimico_polak said:
$500 is small claims court territory. I would do that. Screw them for such a mistake that could’ve had very serious consequences.
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Yes it’s appears straightaway enough to just get the money from Insurance, but at the end of the day, it could’ve resulted in a very horrible situation, and they are getting away from any responsibility.

Like if we buy food that makes us sick, we can complain to government to get it investigated. I find it very uneasy that there’s nothing like it for auto safety??

I had to call 911, cause no way the tow truck would’ve been able to tow safely while everyone speeds by (couldn’t even get out of vehicle until police arrived) and the cop said I was very lucky when he saw the damage.
Managed to safely manoeuvre to right shoulder, car didn’t hit the ground.

I’m not familiar with courts either, but I would prefer the shop has 0 access to my car. Unless I’m just buying another car right afterwards. I do have photos, and can probably obtain police notes. But them touching it probably not worth $500.

Edit; then again we live in a country that gives away cars, should I be surprised by any of it…
 
ReSTored said:
Costs you nothing to write them a letter demanding that your out of pocket costs be covered, the $500 deductible and whatever else was not paid for by the insurance company. I assume you took pictures. They either pay you or they don't. If they don't then sue them in small claims court if you wish.
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Except that I don’t particularly want those individuals to know my personal information. If going through a lawyer can at least give law firm name and address.
 
Like Bitzz said, should have towed the car back there. You’re a customer complaining about the work they did yet you refuse to show the shop the problem. Sounds like they were reasonable and offered to fix their mistake. Yeah it’s annoying and yeah it’s their fault, but accidents happen and if you’re just out for blood and not the least bit reasonable they’re not going to help you.
 
It’s happened to two of my friends , one from a high end Saab dealer ( when that was a thing ) and another from an extremely well known Burlington tire shop. Both were less than five km from the shop , so I would guess both finger tight.
Fellow with Saab phoned the dealer he just left from the side of the QEW , they had him rescued asap and almost offered a blow job while they made repair . Guy two fitted his own spare and went back to complain since his factory aluminum wheel was cooked , he got almost now where.
When I used to use Kal tire , the service manager came out and checked torque on every lug before I could leave the lot.


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GreyGhost said:
The wheel fell off less than 10km after install??? I would be posting one star reviews everywhere with a description of what happened. When I change wheels I retorque after a short trip and again after 100 km or so. Haven't found one loose yet but it doesn't hurt. Most shops tell you to come in around 100 km. I've never heard a shop tell you to come in after 5 km.
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Beat me to it.
Yea, tough luck OP. Hopefully you have dashcam footage saved - maybe you can provide it as evidence (with timestamps, GPS etc) if there is no way for them to claim you tampered with it.
 
nyx said:
Except that I don’t particularly want those individuals to know my personal information. If going through a lawyer can at least give law firm name and address.
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True, but if you're going to do this then expect to pay $200+ in fees, so at that point why bother.

Also, they took your vehicle in for service, they probably have your full name + license number, so you're not exactly anonymous.
 
GreyGhost said:
The wheel fell off less than 10km after install??? I would be posting one star reviews everywhere with a description of what happened. When I change wheels I retorque after a short trip and again after 100 km or so. Haven't found one loose yet but it doesn't hurt. Most shops tell you to come in around 100 km. I've never heard a shop tell you to come in after 5 km.
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I have worked in the dealership world for almost 40 years, its not a thing to have people come back and retorque the wheels.
 
Jayv said:
I have worked in the dealership world for almost 40 years, its not a thing to have people come back and retorque the wheels.
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Honda dealer, the Frisby tire shop down the street, and Costco all wanted me back in the next day or 40 km to check the torques.
 
GreyGhost said:
The wheel fell off less than 10km after install???
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He said next day. Could have done well over 50-100km in that period, which is in the retorque period for a tire install. I mean, it's still inexcusable, but retorques are a thing for a reason.

mimico_polak said:
$500 is small claims court territory. I would do that. Screw them for such a mistake that could’ve had very serious consequences.
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Small claims can go both ways if the defendant lawyers up and decides to make a defense claim also seeking costs. I won't get into details, but it sure put a scare into us, I ended up having to hire a lawyer after the fact ($$$) and then having him work to just drop it in the end - we got a token amount on something was originally about a $5K claim but could have ended up costing us $30-$40K in high priced defense lawyers fees if we'd lost and the court had awarded costs.

nyx said:
Except that I don’t particularly want those individuals to know my personal information. If going through a lawyer can at least give law firm name and address.
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They'll get your personal info anyways, a lawyer can't defend against that, especially if it goes to discovery et al.

Jayv said:
I have worked in the dealership world for almost 40 years, its not a thing to have people come back and retorque the wheels.
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Not sure what dealers you're working, but it's a thing where I go. Last tire swap I had done the receipt was literally stamped with a big red rubber stamp that said "DANGER: Retorque within 100km, not responsible for damage occurring from failure to retorque".

Evoex said:
Last 3 tire shops i tried all told me to come back within 100km or they were not responsible for loose wheels.
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This.
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