Fall 2014- Started out great. Casey seemed friendly, confident, and knowledgeable in fixing our 2007 Honda Accord V6 that needed major transmission repair/fix. Which is great since I live in the OC, and my dad lives in Barstow. Not a lot of options when I live over an hour away.
After dropping it off he said in the next day or so he would finish a Kia so the Accord could take up a lift.
He said he would contact us as soon as the transmission was at his tranny shop for a rebuild (all new apparently) to let us know a more solid price, as we were told 2500-2850 no greater than 3000.
After a week and a half of no phone calls or communication, I called several times. The phone rings and goes to unset up voicemail.
I sent my dad to stop by, was told a week after that. Attempted to call again by that time. No response. Sent my brother this time. Thursday if that week.
I called on Thursday.
Finally got ahold of him (via I assume his GF) who had difficulty relaying information to us. My mom (her car) answered and demanded that we speak to him, he later called back.
He was aggressive, confrontational, and disrespectful to my mother. Her tone can be stern, but her words were appropriate. She was asking for an update, and began telling her how every time we try to get ahold of him or get an update it delays his work by days. His temper got the best of him and he said hell throw in the old tranny if it suits her better. She asked about the price and he stated "price us unchanged". He originally gave us a range... 2500-3000 is a big range, and 500$ can really break the bank... He said a week from that phone call the car would be done.
I try to call again (a week later on a Friday) and I get his GF again, and were told it would be ready Monday..
I'm pretty pissed at this point. I drive down to Barstow and wait. And wait. And wait. God forbid I call him and it delays the repairs another month.
I just show up, and guess what, cars not done! Come back tomorrow he says. I do that.
I get a call that day and yes its done. 2850. Good thing I broke the bank to get 3000.
So there's oil all over the trunk. That sucks.
Driving it home the airbag light is on. WTH?
Trying to use the horn. No horn???? Nothing on the steering wheel is working.. Did my research online and the internal clock spring may be broken.
I take it back right away and drop it off with him. He says to go have lunch and hell see what's up with it. I do so, and come back two hours later. I walk up to it and the whole steering column is disassembled. He walks over and says it'll be longer, "come back later". I know his shop closes around 5/6 so I made an effort to stop by at 4:30.
I walk up... And it looks the exact same as before. I'm standing directly next to my car, and I'm trying to see where everyone is. Casey plus two other mechanics are on the hood of another car in front of NY car in the shop. They keep making eye contact but won't awknoledge me..
" Hi, Casey?"
No response. I start to count the minutes as I stare at them, beyond belief how effing retarded this has become. 34 minutes by my watch before Casey walks past me and says the other guys are working on your clock spring.
I then wait. And wait. And wait. I had a good chance to look at the shop and its a disgrace. Tools everywhere. Unorganized, and I'm pretty sure its not up to OSHA standards. I seriously wouldn't be surprised is some part or tool caught fire, unless its a normal occurrence and happens daily. I think there's more of a chance of a fire starting than a storm tripper missing its target or a red shirt dying on an away team.
2 hours. 10 minutes later. A nameless grunt comes and speaks to me, tells me they have to order a part from Honda and I need to come back tomorrow.
O.
M.
G.
Idgaf.
What ever.
I get a call, cars done. I go pick it up. It drives. Everything works as far as I can tell. I need to have priests of every religion bless this car because I would rather fight a Rancor naked with no weapons than EVER come back to this shop for any reason. You couldn't dangle "Free lifetime In N out with every new repair" in front if my face. I choose a life with out In n out!!!
But, I MUST leave with one positive. I drove the car to Denver two weeks later and I had no transmission problems. I'm sure there's some duct tape and left over tools inside of there to keep it going for a while.
Update: 3/7/15 Car is still driving but had timing belt done and a few other parts replaced. Mechanic walked me through a few of the transmission "repairs" and things were left out, not bolted or screwed down, and there was a small tool left in the engine. I had those things fixed up, but thinking back so many terrible things could of happened to me while driving it.
