ComplaintsforShoreline Auto Upholstery LLC

• Initial Complaint

  05/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On January 24h, Sean R***, owner of Shoreline Upholstery came to my home to assess the worn-out top on my jeep and to provide me with a price to replace the top. Mr. R*** informed me by text that the top I needed could be ordered and installed for $2500.00 “out the door.”.Mr. R*** required a 50 % minimum deposit up front, only cash or check was accepted. I told Mr. R*** that I agreed with the price -and that I would recontact him within two weeks or as soon as I had the cash in hand. On February 9th I texted Mr. R*** that I had received my bonus. I paid Mr. R*** with check #**** from ******* **** dated February 9th. (see attached.) Against my better judgement I paid in full so that Mr. R*** was able to order the material and also so that I didn’t have to worry about owing additional money at a later date. On February 9th Mr. Reed cashed the check. On February 21st, I texted Mr. Reed to ask if the materials for the jeep arrived as I had not heard from him since the 9th of February. Mr. Reed explained he had been busy moving his shop from the next town over and this caused a delay in his work. As for my question regarding whether the materials needed for my roof had arrived yet - Mr. Reed texted me that he was unsure if my jeep top had arrived as there was a pile of deliveries still on the floor he “had not yet gone through.” He agreed to call me the next day to let me know if the materials were in the pile. On Feb 26th, I again reached out to Mr. Reed as I had not heard from him as agreed re: arrival of the roof material. This time Mr. Reed told me that he did not get right back to me concerning arrival of materials because he had been in the hospital on February 22nd, causing his delayed response. Mr. Reed confirmed the materials had arrived and assured me he would begin work on the Jeep Monday, March 4th. I offered to leave the jeep at his shop Sunday March 3rd, but since he reported he did not have a key drop box, he offered to personally pick up the jeep Monday morning, March 4th. On Monday March 4th, Mr. R*** picked up the jeep from my home in Old Saybrook, at approximately 10:00 a.m. – however then proceeded to call me from the road stating was enroute to “papa’s jeep in New Britain (over 30 miles away) as it “needed the right tabs.” Mr. Reed also reported there was significant water on the jeep’s floor as the roof had leaked. I was surprised to hear this since I had paid to have a temporary cover placed over the jeep until the roof could be repaired. I did not give Mr. Reed my permission to go anywhere other than to his shop which is a little over 2 miles from my home. Following Mr. Reed Picking up the jeep on March 4th, I did not hear from Mr. Reed until March 13th at which time he sent me photos of work he had done to the floor ( coating with Epoxy primer and Rhino Seal) without first obtaining my permission or informing me of cost. Mr. Reed requested I call him. I was becoming uncomfortable with being continuously asked to call Mr. Reed and was becoming concerned that he now had both my jeep and my money with no specific date of repair planned. I explained to Mr. Reed I had little time to speak on the phone because of the work I do – he insisted it would be “30 seconds.” I reluctantly contacted him as requested on the 13th, at which time he insisted upon further informing me in depth about his applying Epoxy, and Rhino Seal to the floor, followed by drying out the carpet, yet- when asked, he still did not have a date for the roof repair. To move things along and because I did not want any additional charges, I asked how much I would be charged for the work he did - even though he did so without my permission. Mr. Reed refused my inquiry, stating “No need, I just like talking to you and it was really no big deal…” At this point, I no longer wanted to have further discussion with Mr. Reed- unless, it was to inform me that the jeep was repaired and ready for return. As of March 27th, I had not received any update from Mr. Reed and therefore reached out by text requesting an update regarding replacement of the roof, but no response was received. Due to a very heavy work schedule, I failed to persist in requesting an update on the jeep until April 16th. On this date I called and left a voice mail, again requesting an update- no reply was received. On April 17th, I texted him again and received the following reply: “I have a little bit more to do. It was a major holdup because my father went into the hospital with her UTI and has wound up there for two weeks and another two weeks in rehab and I’ve been taking care of my mother going back-and-forth to New Britain so I apologize deeply. And for making you wait; I am not charging you anymore than what you’ve given me already. I hope that is enough compensation. And Rocky’s Aqua in Clinton decided to open up a couple weeks early and threw a monkey wrench in my schedule because we’re doing all the drop curtains and the mechanisms are corroded and pieces broken and it’s killing me.” I was extremely angry but recognized I was in a disadvantaged position since he had both my $2500.00 and my vehicle. For this reason, I simply asked “how much longer- I really need to know so I can schedule on this end.” Mr. R*** informed me: “Safe call by end of week.” (According to the calendar, this would be April 26th.) On April 26th, the jeep did not arrive. Nor was there a call or a text with any update or further information. On the evening of April 26th, at 6:24 pm I texted Mr. Reed the following:” Shawn- did not receive the jeep today. It needs to be returned by tomorrow. This has been on-going since February. I paid you in full. I am very disappointed. Thank you. On April 29th, 72 hours had passed since my last effort to establish contact was made. By mid-morning it became evident he was avoiding my inquiries, and I therefore texted him as follows:” Shawn – very concerned now since the vehicle was not returned on Friday as promised or as I requested. Please respond re intention to return vehicle or the money if work has not been completed. I am in meetings all day and unable to discuss. Pease update me by text. Mr, Reed responded by leaving me an 11 second voice mail as follows: ““I tried calling you last week and I never got a response back so give me a call again, bye.” (There was no such call attempt made evidenced by my incoming call log.) This message was followed by an immediate text received from Mr. Reed stating the following “We had our glue gun pop apart next to where the top was folded up and it got sprayed. That doesn’t come off. We got lucky that the windows were in the jeep. We are making another top now. Call when you can” As I decided earlier, I was no longer comfortable speaking with Mr. Reed after he informed me that he “liked speaking with me,” and since it was becoming apparent that there was no jeep fixed, nor any money to be returned. Nor was I even sure he had the jeep any longer since he had already used it for travel without my permission on at least one occasion. At this point, I informed him by text I wanted the vehicle returned if repaired, or the money returned with the jeep if not repaired. Upon my arrival, the vehicle was left outside running for me to take back– without any roof at all. I told Mr. R*** I wanted my money back – Mr. R*** refused to refund me any money stating “ I can’t give you that because I am now into the vehicle for I don’t even know how much..” I asked to see the roof that was damaged- he did not have one to show me. Since he denied returning my money, I insisted upon knowing by when the vehicle would be repaired and returned to me. He told me he was working on a new roof right now- and pointed to some fabric on a workbench. In the same breath he then insisted “I don’t know-maybe by Friday- first I have to order the material for the roof.” It was now evident that Mr. R*** was not even sure of what the truth was any more, and at bare minimum was engaging in deceptive, and dishonest business practices

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