I have been terribly busy lately and have had no time to work on my poor turbo contour, not to mention the only garage I have access to is filled with industrial equipment. Recently a flex pipe on my rear bank manifold has seperated causing a bad leak on the exhaust, throwing off tuning as well as killing my spool rpm's. So with the referral of a friend I had the car taken to a place called mandalay automotive. This place is about an hour away from where I attend school full time so I dropped the car off las friday and told them I would not be able to get it until today. But I stressed I needed it by today. Anyways, after 3 hours round trip both fridays, the idiots did not even get to it.
When I picked up the car, I heard the guys talking in the back room, and what do i hear? Some kid bragging about how he went joy riding in my car. I immediately grab my keys from their rack, walk to the car and see he put 10 miles on it!!!!!! I also notice the jack point cover is missing. I start the car, and it is running like [censored], and now has a cel. It never throws cels! I also notice that a piece I have fabricated has come loose, this only happens when I get SERIOUS wheel hop. After screaming at the idiots for 30 minutes I drive my car around the block, what do I notice? A slipping clutch. On my way back I can barely control myself, to calm down I turn on my radio, what do I notice? The [censored] bastards blew 2 of my interior speakers. I am so pissed and mad I am literaly sick to my stomach. And they never even fixed my problem. An hour labor in a week!!!!!!!
Here is the damage:
1 Burned clutch
2 Blown speakers
1 gaping hole on my side skirt
1Cel??
+ who knows what ripping the hell out of my turbocharged car did to the engine
And to top it off, the greasy pieces of [censored] did not even cover my seat, so i have a dress shirt covered in grease.
I can't see any reason the owner of the shop wouldn't do his best to fix everything for you. If he doesn't, I'd consider taking them to court.
Don't take it back to the shop. Take them to small claims court as you don't need a lawyer for this. Just make sure you take it to another shop to have it fixed and keep the bills and pictures of whatever you need ready on hand. I think there is a cap of like 5K in small claims. Sometimes they will try to settle outside of court first, but do you really want them to play around with your car again? You need to teach them that they can't joy ride in your car. 10 miles is too long for just a simple drive test.
Scott where is this place? I can talk to my dad if you want?
I'm sorry about all this shÃ?Ât!
I think small claims is considerably less than $5,000. For some reason I thought it was 2 or maybe even 1 thousand.
i wouldn't take it back to them. the headaches will just get worse. take it somewhere else you trust, get a quote, and then go to court.
Wow that's messed up. I would've had a hard time keeping myself physically abusing those morons.
I would talk to the owner of the shop before you go to court. Tell him you want to take the car somewhere else because you don't trust his people now (and rightly so) and get it fixed. Give him a chance to take responsibility for what his people did; if he doesn't THEN take his ass to court.
Originally posted by Freakshow:
Wow that's messed up. I would've had a hard time keeping myself physically abusing those morons.
same here.
lol well not to make fun of ya but isnt mandalay the name of the company kramer used on seinfeld? Secondly I would never take my car to a shop that has teenagers working in it. I do feel bad for ya for sure though. Too often do people like all of us work hard to get something special to us, just to have some jerk off that dont give a damn use and abuse it. Id take the bastards to court. Small claims is good for 5 grand in the states. Like what was said before take lots of pics, get a statement from another shop, preferably the last one you went before these maroons. Theyll know what shape your car was in and that will be more credible for your case. Im sure The owner wouldnt want bad publicity for his shop. Im sure hed rather reimburse you than go to court. Hell id even go to the local paper and tell them what happened. Also find out if he belongs to a business improvement group or the such and let them know one of their members is poorly representing them. Sure hope you get satisfaction man. Spread the word, tell people to stay away!
Well it's actually 3 speakers now. I was doing everything I could to hold myself back, according to my girlfriend my whole face was red and I was popping veins like none other. I very very rarely raise my voice and I was just yelling at the top of my lungs.
Basically I am going to talk to the shop owner first, (he was not there at all last week) and make sure he foots the repair bill for another shop. It drives me crazy how the kid could f+++ up my car's exterior, sound system, and drivetrain. It's like something out of Ferris Bueller.
It's horrible that being a young guy I work to scrape together every last dollar just to keep the car properly maintained, and some punk just completely disrespects everything I have worked so hard for.
I just hope somehow I can come out on top.
Originally posted by RyeLou:
I think small claims is considerably less than $5,000. For some reason I thought it was 2 or maybe even 1 thousand.
No $5000 at least in Michigan I know for a fact.
I have pics and am a member of the 'shop' that he takes it to...which would be the shop of 'us' so to speak. ADC did the turbo install and I know that I am going to be involved quite thoroughly in the fixing of his car. Not to say I told you so, but I was concerned when you said you were taking it to a shop.
No $5000 at least in Michigan I know for a fact. Do a Google search. $3,000 is what several sources say is the maximum you can sue for in a Michigan Small Claims Court.
Check here:
Small Claims Court
FGGERS. Lets head on over with some bats and nightstick's. Man i would have KILLED that little [censored] if I heard him bragging like that!
Let me know if I can help you AT ALL!
you have amazing self restraint! let us know what happens...
I wouldnt take them to small claims because you will only get up to $5000. You deserve more than that. Youll need more for punitive damages and the time wasted. Ill ask for at least $10k if I was you.
-dan
Originally posted by {Kontofosho}:
Basically I am going to talk to the shop owner first, (he was not there at all last week)
That sounds like a GOOD idea. I can't imagine any respectable business owner knowingly putting up with that kind of BS. 
Hopefully he is reasonable, and it was just a bunch of jerk-off kids screwing around. Hopefully they will be fired for this as well!
Its probably a good thing as well that you didn't injure them or damage property, as that could be held against you later (yes I know how hard that must have been!). If I were you, start documenting EVERYTHING related to these events in case the shop owner is a tool and has to be dragged to court.
Scott I hope you get this all resolved and get your car fixed on their $$$. I hate to read this as I found your car very inspiring to look at on Woodward! Good Luck ... 
Originally posted by ContourSVT98:
I wouldnt take them to small claims because you will only get up to $5000. You deserve more than that. Youll need more for punitive damages and the time wasted. Ill ask for at least $10k if I was you.
-dan
in order to go to superior court (maybe different in their state) you have to hire an attorney, for a few grand. no attorney would touch this without money up front. the judge will only give money for actual damages, ie cost to repair and for the cost of filing the suit. you cant recover punitive damages for something like this. you also cant recover for time wasted or wages lost for being in court. small claims court would definitely be the best option. unless small claims in your aread caps out at $3k and your damages are far above that. but then factor in the attorney fee and it may not be worth it.
I wouldnt take them to small claims because you will only get up to $5000.
Hello??? I already posted that the max in a Michigan Small Claims Court is $3,000.
And the link:
Small Claims Court
Originally posted by RoadiJeff:
I wouldnt take them to small claims because you will only get up to $5000.
Hello??? I already posted that the max in a Michigan Small Claims Court is $3,000.
And the link: Small Claims Court
thanks, that's a good website referral. it should be a sticky somewhere in this forum since it lists every state's max. 
You should have considered Payne. I hope your car does get fixed to your satisfaction.
Mark
Yea I think 3000 might be right around where things are going to be. My biggest problem will be proving what harm was done to the engine. I could not see being able to get money for "drastically increased engine wear". God knows he probably did not let the car warm or the turbo spool down, two things I am absolutely religious about.
Luckily it seems as if Terry Haines will help me get things in court resolved and hopefully do the repair work.
Mark, I actually went to Payne but they are backed up for months and it seems as if they only like to take on larger jobs.
BBB!
Sorry to hear about your car Scott, your one of the better CEG-ers out there and I hate to see this
take it to another shop, preferably two, and get estimates for whatever it will cost to return it to the way it was. you can even take it to the most expensive shops in town to help boost the amount of $$. No one is to say where you can and cant take your car, as long as they are legit estimates. take it to a porsche shop or something, your excuse is you need a turbo specialist. other than that the judge will not award you damages for them tooling around in your car like a-holes. CA has a Better Business Bureau and im sure every state probably does as well. file a report with them. if they have bs already reported they could be in trouble, if not, then you will be establishing a record for them (its a start). go to bbb's website becuz they have requirements that you are supposed to follow--as to trying to work things out amicably. small claims is all about who has the best ammo. the more evidence and better story you have the better off you will be.
*if you really want to scare the sh*t out of him have the warrant served by a marshall/sheriff for a couple of bucks. (this varies from county to county let alone state). nothing like an OFFICER of the LAW show up to your house or business with official papers to hand you.
Hey, everyone.
I just registered on the forum. I'm a friend of Scott's and he just told me the whole story today.
I'm posting this on all the forums I frequent to spread the word. This kind of behavior is totally unacceptable and uncalled for. I will also be telling everyone in my car club about this place. I'm going to see to it that their reputation is destroyed.
Originally posted by {Kontofosho}:
Yea I think 3000 might be right around where things are going to be. My biggest problem will be proving what harm was done to the engine. I could not see being able to get money for "drastically increased engine wear". God knows he probably did not let the car warm or the turbo spool down, two things I am absolutely religious about.
Luckily it seems as if Terry Haines will help me get things in court resolved and hopefully do the repair work.
Mark, I actually went to Payne but they are backed up for months and it seems as if they only like to take on larger jobs.
Payne is always busy. Quality all the way. I have had only positive experiences with Terry. You'll end up OK, provided you get the money out of the tards that abused your ride.
Again, good luck.
Mark
Originally posted by PureAdrenaline:
Hey, everyone.
I just registered on the forum. I'm a friend of Scott's and he just told me the whole story today.
I'm posting this on all the forums I frequent to spread the word. This kind of behavior is totally unacceptable and uncalled for. I will also be telling everyone in my car club about this place. I'm going to see to it that their reputation is destroyed.
that always works. i can think of a few local shops who have gone under due to "word of mouth" repuations.
I hate shopes like this. other than the "joyriding" it sounds like a few paint shops ive encountered.
is this mandalay automotive a shop with actual certfied mechanics? or just some kids playing fast & furious? either way, you still have a solid case, im just thinking if they were certified there may be other reprecussions due to them...
ive had a similar instance a long time ago, that i wont get into, but i know how you feel. 
I remember seeing the owner was a certified master technician with asi. Who knows if he belongs to the bbb, probably not. The shop is located about an hour away from me, so my dad is going down there today to hopefully get things started in the right direction.
where is this place at, scott?
I believe that business from Seinfeld was Vandelay.
Sorry to hear about your bad luck!
It is in troy at 14 mile and crooks. Just down the street from jre tire.
Man, that is horrible. I don't even know what I would do if I were you...except go into a rage. You've really opened my eyes and kinda got me worried with my car being in the shop...I better go check...
Originally posted by {Kontofosho}:
It is in troy at 14 mile and crooks. Just down the street from jre tire.
ah ok. i'll be over that way today.... i'll have to check them out.
Well we went over there today only to discover the shop closed down and many of the cars on the lot gone. There was also a couple notes on the door left from parts supliers stating he owes them money. So it looks as if I am completely screwed.
PS Does anybody have any stock speakers left over that they would be willing to donate? Things are beyond tight for me now.
scott
wow..... that sucks.... though you still may have a remedy via court action... though that will be no fun.
I think you should post names so we can make sure they don't work on are cars.
Originally posted by MxRacerCam:
wow..... that sucks.... though you still may have a remedy via court action... though that will be no fun.
I'd also look into persuing criminal charges, if at all possible.
--T.J.
Originally posted by {Kontofosho}:
Well we went over there today only to discover the shop closed down and many of the cars on the lot gone. There was also a couple notes on the door left from parts supliers stating he owes them money. So it looks as if I am completely screwed.
PS Does anybody have any stock speakers left over that they would be willing to donate? Things are beyond tight for me now.
scott
not necessarily. it depends if he set up the business as a corporation or not. (also depends on state laws, but prob same everywhere). People set up corporations to hide behind in case of things like this, but you pay WAY more in taxes and more complex/costly to do so. shops like this are typically just regular business meaning HE, himself, is actually liable for the debts. in a corp, he can close down and extinguish the debts.
if you take him to small claims court, and win, which you probably will, especially considering it sounds like he has other troubles going on, then get what an award. you then take the court award to another part of the court house where they issue a judgment (may come from judge, going off way past memory here). this judgment entitles you to the money. if he gets a job anywhere you can file to garnish wages. it can also become a lean against him so if he files taxes, tries to sell his home, etc... he will have to pay any and all liens first!
the law is there to protect you, take advantage.
do you know the owner's name? try to find out.
if you file for small claims and he does not show up, or postpone, you autoatically win! pretty cool huh? not many people know this. he he he...
filing a small claims suit costs about $30 or so and having it served by a marshall/sheriff costs about another $30. not much to lose, much to gain.
ps i will be pulling my speakers out soon and putting my whole system in, hopefully on friday. id be more than happy to send you my stock ones. theyre in mint shape.
Originally posted by 98cont-UoG-FSAE:
I believe that business from Seinfeld was Vandelay.
yep, Van de Lay industries. That was George's secret "employer" and he often referred to himself as Mr. Van de Lay-owner of Van de Lay Ind. "we're in latex"
it was George, not Kramer, as stated earlier by someone else.
-the Seinfeld nazi.
When i give my keys to anyone at a shop, the first and last thing I always say to them is "I document everything on this car"- the guy I usually take it to, I dont need to say it anymore. But when its someone new, for anything, I tell them. I usually get funny looks but we can NOT trust anyone working on our cars. So sorry to hear of this. Don't even know you and it enrages me.
Had it been me, the kid's neck would have been between my massive hands.
Originally posted by {Kontofosho}:
PS Does anybody have any stock speakers left over that they would be willing to donate? Things are beyond tight for me now.
scott
PM sent...
