PRESCOTT VALLEY, ARIZONA REPAIR SHOP IS CROOKED

[Uschie]

My former auto repair shop in Prescott Valley, Arizona (Ultimate Automotive Repair) told me that my truck needed a new transmission. Since I trusted that shop, I told them to install a new transmission and I was charged $5,200. A few months later, that same shop owner said my truck needed a new engine, so I told him to put a NEW engine in. He charged me $4,800. I have had nothing but problems with the engine, and have had some problems off and on with the transmission. I made numberous trips back to that shop, which is over an hour's drive away, so that each time something could be repaired. I kept asking the owner if the engine is really "new", and each time he swore that it is. He refused to give me a warranty, although I have begged him for one for over 6 months. I finally told him that he is leaving me no other alternative but to contact an attorney, and he said because I "threatened" him with an attorney, he now will do absolutely nothing more. Without a warranty, any repair work that a different, and good, repair shop does to this truck will cost me more money. I am in the process of having the entire truck checked out and I will get a written report of all that is found wrong. So far, it has been found that the engine is definitely not new, and that the VIN number was scratched off and another number was scratched on the engine, and there is a lot of oil leaking out of the engine. I've also now been told that my truck most likely did not even need an engine replacement. Also, it appears that the only thing "new" on the transmission is the clutch. So people, beware of Ultimate Automotive Repair in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

[poeavor]

If It was me,I will contact the consumer protection agency in your city and place a complaint. What kind of car do you have, $5200.00 sounds a bit high for a transmission unless it was a complete dealer unit wich I doubt. The guarantee should have been given by the shop at the moment they finished the work and for what they are charging you they should have given you at least a year on both jobs.

[Brandon]

Deff. a high price on that tranny. Any good shop will come with a warr. at least with there work if anything. Hope it all works out. Local news can help also... prob. before it even gets a chance to go public

[Uschie]

I have spoken with an attorney who said I have at least 4-5 cases against that mechanic ... fraud, theft, breach of contract, misrepresentation, etc., etc. The attorney spoke with me for two hours so he could give me some suggestions as to what to do. He said for me to hire him, it would cost me a tremendous amount of money. He said to try to get the County Attorney to take the case, because the County attorney can prosecute (the private attorney cannot), and can ask for restitution (for the crooked mechanic to return all my money) and if the mechanic doesn't return the money, he can be locked up. I called the County Attorney, and was told that I have to go to the Police first, which I did, and the police will then turn it over to the County Attorney if they feel it should go there. The police asked me to send them all the documentation, and I've done that. Also, Channel 3 TV showed some interest, and they had me send them all the documentation, so they can read through it all and see if they want to televise this criminal act.

[poeavor]

I am all for making bad mechanics go out. We need the good ones to stay. I hope you have success with this case.
Pedro from CMT.