So this is mostly just to complain because I have had really bad vehicle luck lately. Last February I contacted a local shop about installing an engine in my Suburban. It is a 96 K2500 with the 6.5 and besides the engine it is in really good shape. I called the shop and spoke to the shop foreman/manager and discussed options. I found a new engine from a reputable supplier for $4000.00 and I figured it was worth spending up to $6500.00. The shop said they could install the engine in 3-5 days for $1500.00. I asked several times before ordering the engine if they would guarantee/warranty their work. He said yes they would so I ordered the engine. It took 3 months during which time they called me 3 times. I had to constantly check with them on the status. The 1st time they called I was told that my water pump needed to be replaced, radiator cleaned and injectors replaced. I agreed to the extra work at an approximate cost of $900.00. In the end it took 3 months and cost $10,000.00 3 1/2 weeks later and less than 700 miles and the brand new turbo came apart taking the engine with it. Everyone says the turbo damage was caused by the installer but they won't take responsibility and it will cost like $5000.00 to take them to court. The mechanic that gave me the 2nd opinion said the repairs they claimed to have done were done poorly if at all. This was a nightmare and now today I purchased a 97 K1500 Suburban which ran fine for 30 minutes until the engine started making noise so I called the seller back. The call went straight to his voice mail within 15 minutes the recording has changed to a generic message. Clearly the seller knew he was selling me crap. Now I have to figure out to buy something to get to and from work and take my wife, daughter and blind son on vacation. Sorry to bitch but I helped writing this. BTW the shop is in Seattle on on Airport way in a bright blue building so be careful. The kid that ripped me off is young and I met him in Renton.
CK5
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Ripped off in Seattle
- Thread starter deadguy
- Start date
Contact the Better Business Bureau, they can't do what they did and get away with it.
I can't stand people that keep complaining about every little thing that a shop does, but this is unacceptable.
Don't let it go.
I don't know what kind of vehicle you would need but I know a few guys up in the Tacoma/ seattle area that have running vehicle for sale.
I also have a nice van for sale if you look in the for sale forum here.
$10,000 for an engine rebuild 
$10,000 for an engine rebuild
No engine replacement, he provided the rebuilt for $4000 and it looks like $6000 for labor and new water pump and rebuilt injectors.
I would not take this sitting down.
79bonanza
1/2 ton status
you should have been able to get a new replacement engine for 10k i would think with a gm warrenty backing it up
Jessie James
1/2 ton status
BBB is spineless and has no authority. You should contact someone like an attorney and sue them.
79bonanza
1/2 ton status
http://www.automotix.net/engines/65dieselengine.html
5,800 new 6.5 with warrenty. prolly take about 3 days to install and have running again
5,800 new 6.5 with warrenty. prolly take about 3 days to install and have running again
Cornfield creations
1/2 ton status
This really saddens me. That a shop could care soo little as to the quality of work they perform that they could do things like this. These are the reasons automotive shops are given bad names. In america you can get sued for anything, but when it comes to things like this you can't hardly even gets answers, let alone your money back.
Burbdood 74
Giver of not a single damn...
Same thing happened to a friend of mine back in 1994 or 95. He blew the 360 in his 72 F-250 somewhere near Grass Valley Ca. The shop he took it to Quoted him $3000 for a rebuilt motor installed. About 2 weeks after he got it back, the motor started knocking and backfiring really bad. After we took the intake off and saw the roasted cam, we took the heads off and found out his "new" motor was simply a Krylon rebuild.
Long story short...he went to the BBB, told them what happened and they eventually shut the place down. This may not be the first time that your shop has done this to people and even though the BBB works slower than molasses in January, if they've recieved enough complaints about this place, they might work a little faster. You can't let them get away with this.
Just a quick question....are you sure that the engine they put in is the same one you provided? Are you sure they didn't swipe your new engine and just install a cleaned up POS in your rig?
Long story short...he went to the BBB, told them what happened and they eventually shut the place down. This may not be the first time that your shop has done this to people and even though the BBB works slower than molasses in January, if they've recieved enough complaints about this place, they might work a little faster. You can't let them get away with this.
Just a quick question....are you sure that the engine they put in is the same one you provided? Are you sure they didn't swipe your new engine and just install a cleaned up POS in your rig?
I would have had someones head in a vice. And then towed my vehicle out of there. No way an engine swap takes that long. Even a busy shop can 'fit it in' and get it done within a week, maybe two if they can't keep it in one bay till it's done and have to keep pushing it in/out when they can work on it. You can only push a vehicle in/out so many times before you say "That's it! This one is getting done NOW!"
Realistically, the turbo could've been bad from the beginning. Whoever diagnosed it as needing a new engine should've checked the turbo as well or at least mentioned that it could fail if it's been subjected to a failing engine for a period of time. I don't know if I could fault them for the turbo, but the time frame and poor workmanship is a definite problem.
In the end it took 3 months and cost $10,000.00 3 1/2 weeks later and less than 700 miles and the brand new turbo came apart taking the engine with it.
I think that was taken care of by a new turbo...
I filed a complaint with the Attorney General about them going over the quote but was told that they really have no power. The shop replied saying the never said they would guarantee the work. I guess I don't quite understand how you can charge for a service and not have enough pride to say that it you do something wrong you will make it right. I will try BBB I just heard that since the companies that are part of the BBB pay to be registered that really they BBB works for the companies and not consumers. At least I'm not crazy thinking I got cheated. Guess in the future I will buck up and pay the money to have work like this done at a dealer. I know they can rip you off to but at least you can get some support from Chevy or whoever it is the sell cars for. BTW local dealer quoted me $10,900.00 this would have been brand new AM General crate engine plus they were going to do my brakes all around (front rotors were warped) and a couple other minor things. They gave this quote when they found oil and water mixing. The turbo had to be replaced due to rusting from water in the oil. 1 win for small shops Mobile Oil & Service in Kent,Wa I think they have one in Tacoma also but they are the shop that gave they 2nd opinion. Originally they were going to charge me labor to check it out 1-2 hours. In the end after seeing the condition of my Suburban and how the other shop left it they decided not to charge me. If you ask me they are a real class act to give their time like that.
scottsdale86
1/2 ton status
What is the name of the other place? I go up that way and i want to make sure i NEVER go there!
I'd rather not say the bad shops name as even thought everything I said is true my luck is that they would sue me for liable and since I do not have the resources to defend myself I'd be out even more money and yes that is the kind of luck I have. I will say that the shop is in a bright blue building and the work mostly on Diesels. If you think you are taking you vehicle to this shop type their name into Google and you will find at least 1 other complaint. The 1 I remember goes something like I've been their 3 times 1st 2 were good but the third I was overcharged and they left repairs incomplete or something like that and I think post said looking for a new shop. Funny sounds almost just like my experience.
fli-fisher
Registered Member
Long time lurker, 1st post. Having worked in the auto industry in Washington State for many years, the shop is only allowed to go over your estimate by 10% without your consent. I assume they have a signed repair order? If not they had no legal right to work on your vehicle. If they do have a repair order signed by you, then there had better be an estimate and attachments for each time the estimate rose or you will win in court. I am very surprised that the Attorney General's office said this wasn't their jurisdiction, as it most certainly is. Also one of the television stations up there must have an investigative reporter who lives for this kind of story!
Don't worry about repercussions from the shop, they will get enough bad publicity from those you tell.
Don't worry about repercussions from the shop, they will get enough bad publicity from those you tell.
hell ya stand up for what you belive in.
and in the end if thay didnt make it right i would give them a new item to look at in there front window/waiting area and tell them to fu*kin keep it.
as a fellow 10+year veteran mechainic there is help out there for you. you just need to find it. lots of citys or states have auto mechanic shop club type things. you need to find one of them and ask them how to go about finding some form of payback money wise.
and in the end if thay didnt make it right i would give them a new item to look at in there front window/waiting area and tell them to fu*kin keep it.
as a fellow 10+year veteran mechainic there is help out there for you. you just need to find it. lots of citys or states have auto mechanic shop club type things. you need to find one of them and ask them how to go about finding some form of payback money wise.
DeviousK5
1/2 ton status
I'm not sure if your state has a Bureau of Automotive Repair, it's a devision of the Department of Consumer Affairs. Make sure you file a complaint with them as well as any other governing forces.
I think Fli-Fisher is definetly onto somethin. Call the local news stations for sure.
I think Fli-Fisher is definetly onto somethin. Call the local news stations for sure.
I'll look in to the Bureau of Automotive Repair and I am going to try the news stations again. I spoke to an attorney that said he felt I had a good case but I don't have the money to hire him I am the only one working because my wife hurt her back so she can't clean house anymore and my daughter gets home from school about 1 1/2 to 2 hours after my son who can't be home for long by himself because he has Norrie's which left him blind and mostly about 7 mentally. That's what you get for having kids at 16. I will keep you all posted if I hear anything. I did file complaint with the BBB and will try the local Chamber of Commerce. Oh and the Attr General said that they enforce the law but do not participate in recovering a loss for consumers.
