WARNING: Avoid L and D German Auto Service, Hickory, NC

[Trae]

L and D German Auto Service, Hickory, NC

Paid two thousand dollars up front for suspension work and told owner he could take his time.
They kept the car for five weeks, took the ASR relays out (to do burnouts), abused the Renntech 500E, logged 950 miles on both trip odometer and odometer, and left me with an empty tank of gas.

 

[gsxr]

Re: L and D German Auto Service, Hickory, NC

Trae, that is awful. Assuming you have already exhausted options dealing directly with the shop, I'd at least file a report with BBB, if possible. If you had no written contract I'm not sure if there's any legal action you can take. Thanks for the warning though, hopefully others will avoid this shop in the future.

 

[Glen]

Unbelievable. I hope you can recoup some of your loss.

 

[jhodg5ck]

Ouch dude..

My dad is coming down 77 w/ the F250 super duty in a week or so, he can cut over on rt 40..;-)
Renting a trailer is negligible..!

I've been worshiping @ the church of AMG/RT for many years now.

Let me know if I can assist in what ever way.

jono

 

[kannan1024]

That is terrible. Sorry to hear about this. I hope you get some form of compensation

I took my 560 SEC to a shop in Sacramento recommended by a friend at that where they kept it for 2 months, did nothing and charged me $100 to take it back but nothing like this.

 

[Trae]

Hi Jonathan,
Jason started his own shop about 6 months ago. I thought I knew his character as he has worked on my car in the past, however, that was at a very reputable indy Newton Autohaus.
He said he had fallen on hard times and could no longer get parts. I had a soft heart to open the "parts flow" again. He said he would pay me back in labor and I agreed on a handshake.
You know the rest of the story.
I always had a feeling that I should have taken the time to drive to Atlanta. Now it is confirmed. When or IF I can save that kind of $$$$ again, I will visit you.
The car is in good shape. I was just trying to get old rubber replaced ie. . . engine/trans. mounts, front shocks, rear SLS bushings(neoprene), and a couple of other items to make it handle like new.
Thank you for your input on this site. You have taught me more than you know.

 

[ccc]

This is hard to beleive. Anyway, i would definitely open a claim in small claims court.
Do you have that where you live. It is cheap, represent yourself.

 

[Trae]

If all other options fail, we do have small claims court.

 

[Jelmer]

This is sad... Some stupid people around. Damn.

But, how come we only find this thread now? I think I would've seen a "WARNING" thread earlier? It's been almost two months since you started it!

 

[bing]

Oh dear! Not only they took your money, they abused the car as well...WTF ! Some shit people around.

 

[Trae]

Hello Amsterdam and London,
My original post from two months ago RECOMMENDED this shop. All this information was uncovered two days ago.
I am going to the owner today to see what, if any, money can be recouped.

 

[Jelmer]

Clear. Good luck. Isn't it the American custom to sue them into oblivion?

 

[gerryvz]

Jelmer,

1) It's hard to squeeze blood out of a turnip. Doesn't sound like the guy has ANY money if he had to "borrow" money from a customer.

2) Lawyers are pretty expensive, particularly for the amount of money/damages done in this case, so suing is a calculated risk/ROI, at best.

All in all a sad case, and one I hope is resolved quickly and to everyone's satisfaction.
The guy sounds like a horrible business-man who got in way over his head.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[jhodg5ck]

I can appreciate the convenience factor..it is a haul to get down here. I hope the fellow comes to his senses and offers something to compensate for his retardation...:-/

Let me know if you need anything!

Jono

 

[Trae]

Well,
I "may" have some good news, only time will tell.
I confronted the owner today and he pleaded with me, offered $2500 in repair labor, and said he would do the work in 2-3 days. I responded saying I would not let any car out of my sight and would only agree IF I were present during all work.
I am going to give him a chance. Stay tuned.
The car still runs very strong. Had it on a lift at another shop and there is no obvious damage. (No codes on any pins.)

 

[jhodg5ck]

Well, if the fellow is willing to make up for what he's done I'd give him a Chance. 2500$ in labour credit is pretty good.
If you like, ping me w/ what he quotes you and I'll let you know if he's being reasonable or not...;-)

jono

 

[Trae]

Hi Jonathan,
We'll do. Thanks.

 

[gerryvz]

Be careful, and get EVERYTHING documented and in writing.

 

[Trae]

So far, he has installed new motor mounts. time will tell if he remains true to his word.

 

[Jelmer]

Quite brave of you to trust him with your car again. I hope he'll do all you ask and you leave with the car in better shape.

 

[bing]

So far, he has installed new motor mounts. time will tell if he remains true to his word.

Were you watching him like a hawk while he did this ?

 

[Trae]

Yes, I am doing the jobs with him. So far, we have done spark plugs, brake fluid, differential, transmission service, and motor mounts. I figure I've got about $700-$800 worth of work out of him so far.
Now for the other $1800? WE will see how the next few weeks pan out. I will not leave a car there overnight and will have to physically be there AND help with each job.

 

[fudgitive]

That sucks Trae. Unfortunately giving money up front to a small shop owner and saying take your time can be a recipe for the perfect storm, I did just that last year and the guy not only never bought the parts that I paid him up front for, he also LOST MY CAR ! It took me a month to track it down and eventually I found it in a municipality impound yard.... one sad looking 560SE pictured below at the impound.

You are doing the right thing though letting him chip away at the work, a lot of these guys are actually talented mechanics and not necessarily bad people, just crap at running a business.

Hope it works out.

There are of course many small business owners out there who are able to balance the books AND do nice work!

 

[500AMM]

Avoid L and D German Auto Service at all costs: http://www.ldgermanautoservice.com/

Paid two thousand dollars up front for suspension work and told Jason he could take his time.
They kept the car for five weeks, took the ASR relays out (to do burnouts), abused the Renntech 500E, logged 950 miles on both trip odometer and odometer, and left me with an empty tank of gas.

None of the work promised was done.

What a disaster!! I wonder who THEY are at that workshop? Which your friend allowed to abuse your car for 950miles?!

I hope your car managed and you get as much compensation as possible. (...I would be after that man forever.)

 

[Trae]

The shop promised $2500 in labor for the $2000 advance. Thought it sounded like a good deal at the time.

 

[500AMM]

The shop promised $2500 in labor for the $2000 advance. Thought it sounded like a good deal at the time.

Yes, for that part it is OK. But they've still "stolen" 950 miles from you...

Thanks to these cars strength & durability.

 

[szvook]

Trae, you are much too kind to let the asswipe of the hook, I hope they do you right this time. If it was me, Jason would have been pleading for his life.

 

[Trae]

Update:
The owner has agreed to let me use his lift and tools to perform most of the tasks I need to do. So far I have done all fluids and filters on the SL500 and the 92' 500E. I still need to replace the front flex disc and transmission mount on the 500E. Just waiting on parts that I ordered from AutohauzAZ.
So, I am learning to do a whole lot of stuff I never thought I could do. That is why I keep bugging you guys for part numbers.
Thanks for putting up with my learning curve!

 

[gerryvz]

Sorry if I sound brusque here ... not my intention to be rude, but I think the questions NEED to be asked .....

So why are YOU doing the work and not HIM? I thought he promised to do $2.5K worth of work?

Seriously man, you need to cut bait with this cat and move on. He's obviously not got the cash to pay what he owes you, and IMHO you're going to waste more time (time=money) trying to squeeze blood out of this bankrupt turnip than he owes you in the long run. I'd just move on and find a shop that can help you.

Either that, or just take the car to Jono where you know the work will be done, and done right, the first time. Jono's got a brand new warehouse facility just waiting for your car......

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Trae]

I see your point Gerry. The shop owner has provided all fluids and filters, so I am at least getting those. Also, when I get stuck, he will help me.
When my flex disc and tranny mount come in, he will do that work with me watching/helping.
The way I figured the work thus far is by using Jono's fee schedule and reducing it by half because, as you point out, I am doing the work.
Up until now, I could not do the work myself because of lack of a lift and tools. Now, because of this site, I can research every job before I get started and have the tools to do it. This, to me, is part of getting some of my $2500 back. Yes, I know that I am doing the work, but the lift and the tools make it so easy.
Each time I do a 30k maintenance on one of my cars, I am recouping. So far, there has been the SL and the 92'500E. Next will be the 93' 500E and finally the E320 wagon.
By the time I get through, all cars will have had their 30k maintenance done plus some extras like motor mounts, transmission mount, flex disc, and shocks.
I never asked for the cash back. He said to give him another chance, so I am doing just that. Part of the doing the work myself is to learn and part is the trust issue of doing it right. Thank goodness the "correct" way to do these jobs can be found on this site.
There is another good shop in the area that I have been working with. Newton Autohaus in Newton, NC. So I am not trapped by any means.
Yes, he did say that he would do the work, and he has done motor mounts and an SRS seat emmulator for my SL. I am counting on the flex disc and tranny mount next.
Never, in a million years, would I have thought that I could do these jobs. I can not thank Jono, Dave, you, and many others that have contributed enough.

 

[Jelmer]

If he'd walk away, he'd simply have lost the $2500, now he gets to do the work the shop owner wouldn't (or isn't allowed to do ), while learning the ropes. It sounds like a good deal, considering... At least, the alternative is walking away with money spent but nothing to show for it.