Definitely contact the Better Buisness Bureau. You have been more than gracious and understanding with them. They need to make it right with you.
It is sooooo hard to find a reliable shop.
Maybe someone should start a thread about good repair shops in their area ..... I dunno ......I have a good one we take all our yotas to here in Eugene OR. They havent let us down in 7 years if repeat buisness.

 

Yep..I think that's what I need to do. I called them well over an hour ago and asked for the owner. He said he was busy and asked if I wanted him to call back, at which time I identified myself and said I don't believe him because I've already left messages. His reply was, "oh....." indicating that he knew why I was calling and assured me the owner would call me. So far: nothing, so I'll just contact the BBB and BAR and let them know that I've now given him three opportunities (two calls, one email) to right a wrong and he hasn't responded to either. It's very apparent to me that he is not interested and basically seems like he doesn't care about what happened.

Too bad, I'm just getting fed up with it.

Thanks for everyone's input...
-Michael

 

I think you at least need to find another shop to use. You have been more than fair with this shop, and they have made at least one mistake that could have lead to accidents and loss of life. I do agree that there is no intention it is just shoody workmanship but that does not excuse the shop for responsabilty and a phone call to the BBB is merited if for no other reason to alert the general public to the problem. While you might think that extream it is not......lets just say that wheel came off on the way home, do you think the shop would be there right away for you with tow truck and a rental while while yours is being repaired? If your answer to that is anything other than a resounding YES, why are you trying to be there for the shop. I do think they might have helped you out but you would have had to fight about paying or not paying........Do you think they would have come forward if an accident would have happened or would you have had to fight with them to take any responsibility.......Bottom line as a customer and a consumer you have a right to expect that work done was done correctly.......

 

Find out where the owner lives. Go to his house at 2:00am and drain all his oil into a pan without leaving a single drop on the ground. The next day go down to the shop and see if the owner made it to work.

Seiously though, I'd call them every hour untill the "busy" owner got his arse on the phone and then demand a refund. If that dont work, then let him know in the calmest voice possible that the BBB will be hearing all about it.

 

Not sure why they would have touched the control arm, so I don't know if you could blame that one on them. They would have just adjusted the tie-rod for the alignment (I'm pretty sure they wouldn't need to mess with the control arm, but I haven't worked on the IFS much).

 

The owner finally called about 3 hours later, he got my voicemail and said he had something that kept him busy and he apologized profusely. He was nice about it and flat out said it was absolutely the tech's fault and that there was no excuse. He said he would send a check out tomorrow for reimbursement, along with a coupon for a free oil change...as if I care to use it. To me, an oil change is a lame offer, considering. I know he felt bad and said he wanted to make it up to me and regain my trust, but there's no way I can honestly say at this time that his shop appeals to me. I did like the guy, but this is just not my idea of money well spent.

You guys are right...it could have been far worse and I did tell him that he was lucky it was me driving and not someone like my ex g/f who drove for three months with a broken shock and said "the noise didn't bother her".

Oh well...now I have to find another shop that will work on my Toyotas. My biggest problem now is that I'm on OT and Saturdays at work and have zero time to get the alignment done elsewhere....especially since I live 65 miles from where I work!
-Michael