my s2k was assaulted

[jayballer432]

So i made the mistake in taking the s2k to have the wheels aligned at tirepros. When I walked over to pull my car out of their garage, I smelt that burning clutch smell. I didn't want to jump to conclusions and start making accusations so I kept my mouth shut. I drove it around for a little bit and stopped at my friends house. When I got out I realized there was grease all over my seat. At that point I was furious and got back in to drive back to tirepros. On the way there I noticed they reset my tripometer!! The store was closed, but I was able to talk to the guy who had drove my car. He had grease all over his back and he realized he was the one who left the stains. I made him clean it out and asked for his managers name and when he works. I told him I needed my shirt to be replaced and that I was going to discuss this with the manager. I'm pretty sure there was some joyriding going on and my garage stunk like burnt clutch for hours.

Do you guys know if a dealership can check the codes to see if my stewie was abused? I'm scared that my clutch took a hard beating, and I heard that a dealership can check to see things like shift points, rpms and overrevs. Is it worth my time and money?

[Scooter]

Did they happen to log in the odometer on the initial paperwork? No matter what, a letter to their corporate office (see tirepros.com) is in order and thanks for the head's up, I'll never use them now.

[SXY_S2K]

Originally Posted by Scooter

Did they happen to log in the odometer on the initial paperwork?

From what I know there would have to be a mileage in and a mileage out documented...

Wow man, I'm SO SORRY to hear about this. I don't know what I would do if someone hurt my car like that... That's why I never NEVER take my car anywhere unless I trust them implicitly, or can stay there the whole time...

[jayballer432]

They only documented the initial mileage. I think they just did some burnouts/doughnuts in their parking lot. If they don't kiss my ass on my Monday when I'll go in there and raise hell, I'm going to contact their headquarters. I'm 23 and look like I'm 16 and they probably assumed my parents bought me the car and that I don't know how to drive it. I should have realized that when I dropped it off, ever since I got this car it's been keyed twice by haters and people who wished they owned it. It's a good life lesson I suppose.

[Scooter]

Trust me, though, contact corporate anyway - there is no downside - just the grease stain alone is a total violation of professionalism. I've never had anything like that happen to my car at a shop (that I know) but I'm still pissed about it for you... You have a good attitude, though, it is life and it's just a car but dammit why do people do that kind of stuff?

[mdbrich]

I am 23, just bought my s2k. I had to pay for it the hard way, there. got a great credit rating of 725. And I only owe 9k. But reguadless I would be very mad if any of those things happened to my car.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by jayballer432

So i made the mistake in taking the s2k to have the wheels aligned at tirepros. When I walked over to pull my car out of their garage, I smelt that burning clutch smell. I didn't want to jump to conclusions and start making accusations so I kept my mouth shut. I drove it around for a little bit and stopped at my friends house. When I got out I realized there was grease all over my seat. At that point I was furious and got back in to drive back to tirepros. On the way there I noticed they reset my tripometer!! The store was closed, but I was able to talk to the guy who had drove my car. He had grease all over his back and he realized he was the one who left the stains. I made him clean it out and asked for his managers name and when he works. I told him I needed my shirt to be replaced and that I was going to discuss this with the manager. I'm pretty sure there was some joyriding going on and my garage stunk like burnt clutch for hours.

Do you guys know if a dealership can check the codes to see if my stewie was abused? I'm scared that my clutch took a hard beating, and I heard that a dealership can check to see things like shift points, rpms and overrevs. Is it worth my time and money?

It obviously sounds like someone has been beating on your car, while its in for service. You have rights my friend. You need to write down all incidences before you return to the garage ( this way if you start to loose your cool you won't forget aything) you need to speak to the manager or owner and present you concerns, and see what he says.

See if you dont stand up to these guys, it'll happen to someone else, like it has probably happened before. (ps photocopy your sheet so that you can leave it with him )
And dont be shy to tell him how dissapointed and upset you are that you trusted them for paid work , with no supervision or how would this have happened.

Also maybe the work already completed should be re-checked. If they repect your car that much to mess around with it, you never know ??

Good Luck

[jayballer432]

Thanks for all of the great advice, I already contacted their headquarters and am waiting for a call back.

Does any one know if the ecu can be checked to see if they red lined or overreved it or any kind of general clutch abuse?

[Neil]

If You Want A Positive Conclusion, document everything e-mail etc ............"white on rice" o.k.

[S2000dude]

Great advice Neil !

Write it all down Jay and make copies.
And when you talk with management stay cool while you express your grievances.

Let us know what transpires.

[cbrguy7]

as far as i know there is no way you can ever find out for sure how it was driven,unless you had some kind of data logger (an aftermarket part like vafc2 or similar)
honestly I dont trust shops anywhere even at local car audio shops. Any time your cars behind closed doors they could either be doin doughnuts out back or seein how loud your sound system is along with many other damaging inconsiderate things.
Also when your a tech and you see sedans and mini vans all day long and then once in a blue moon something cool comes in like a turboed s2k or something they wanna have some fun with it... I had to take my car to the local honda dealer to have a tranny put in and when I went in a week later to pick it up not only did every teenage tech that worked there know every aftermarket part on my car but it sounded like 3 different guy had test drove it when it was done. I was not to happy about it (just had a $650 act clutch installed, I doupt it was broken in right) but you gotta realize its the reality of things if you leave your property in the hands of unsupervised teens at some shop anything could happen...

[philiam]

My suggestion. Find the names of the CEO and or president of the corporation. Tell them that you are disappointed in the poor treatment at one of their stores and that one dissatisfied customer negates many thousands of dollars worth of advertising and considerable good will. Ask what they will do to rectify the situation. Document all the problems. Keep the letter professional and use the spell checker. CC: the BBB and if you know a lawyer, throw his name in as well.

Works for me 9 times out of ten. Most recently, I had a $25 rebate some Uniden phones get lost by the rebate people. They requested duplicates which I sent. They stonewalled me, then told me it was too late. I googled the CEO, sent her a letter with copies of the emails. I also CC'd the president of Uniden America, the president of the Tokyo mother company and Frys electronics.

Bottom line I recieved an apology and a check from the CEO. Then recently got a check from Fry's as well. $25 dollars will not break me, but it's the principle of the thing. $25 times a few thousand people adds up. Never let them jerk you around. I once fought the IRS over $18, because they kept after me for more and more money. Before I was through they sent me $250 back.

Good luck. If you need any help, PM me.

[TheSoundMan21]

Man I know what you mean. I hate just letting people work on my car. If they ever do I will be standing nearby watching. I am 23 as well and very particular about her. My biggest concern is when I put new rubber on her. I hate it when the guy comes back and tells me "man that cars got some pep to it" im like who the hell said you could drive it? Anyway man you will get it straightened out.