ComplaintsforElite European LLC

• Initial Complaint

  08/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  8/8/2022 I went to Elite European mechanic in *********. I had called and made the appointment prior to going a week ahead. I Met the owner and she agreed to do the * service. Explained that this vehicle was impeccable an nothing was wrong with it, new tires etc and I kept up maintenance with ********* She says yes because she pulled up the maintenance rec. Routine * service, replacing spark plugs recently,etc. I gave her the key and she pulled it in the shop. I walked up the street was gone about an hr and ******, the owner pulls my vehicle back and says it's done. I said that was fast,it normally takes 3 hrs. She says oh some things I didn't do. I said oh really!! She gives me a print out, about her computer show's Minor issues and she added air, checked lug nut I was weary then!! I couldn't pay her right then because my bank system was down, ****** says go ahead and leave and call me when system is up. I said ok because I had a appointment right after Elite doing service. I pulled out of the business I heard a roaring noise and about 10 miles noticed a roaring noise Worse and worse, idling rough handling rough, sluggish pulling. I drove home and parked the car where it sits now undrivable because I am afraid it could cause more damage! I have called Elite European Auto mechanic several times and I am getting lies, excuses, saying well it is wheel bearings ( No way, when I dropped it off nothing was WRONG with my car, nothing). It was sluggish or making roaring noises. I checked the oil cap and it smelled like burnt oil, black color not like new oil should look or smell. Very little transmission fluid in it like it was drained. * service includes topping off fluids, cabin filter change,etc .they sabatoge my car to fail so I would take it back to them so they can charge me for damage that they did. That's the answer I have been getting from them. I have called and complained several times since incident. I mentioned to her that vehicle is undrivable, she says tow!

  Business response

  08/30/2022

  ********, ***************************, is not accurate in his description of events.

  Service Date: 8/8/2022. Invoice includes part numbers, Brand names used, description of service, brake pad and tire measurements.

  His conversation with me on 8/25/22, he stated the vehicle was dragging from right hand side, there is a "roaring" noise, and that the air conditioning blower motor was acting erratically. I stated to him to that nothing from an engine oil service would cause those concerns. The wheels were not removed, and the air conditioning blower motor would most certainly not be affected by engine oil. Furthermore, the vehicle towed if he felt it was unsafe to drive and concerns would be diagnosed, and further inspections could/would be done. Customer did not have vehicle towed. Customer left multiple voicemails during afterhours of business and were returned the following business day. The last set of voicemails got very aggressive and even suggested that I as the owner was discriminating based on race, and profane language was used. Customer was called back regardless and was left a voicemail requesting customer to call back. ******** stated in voicemails that have been saved that "vehicle was taken to another shop", and the following were "told to him". However, his complaint to you states that he was the one that smelled the oil cap, there is also no mention of another shop getting involved, the hateful voicemails that were left at my shop, or the date that he asked me out on while at my shop on 8/8/22, which was declined by me.

  Per ******************, he stated in voicemails left 8/26/22 and 8/27/22 that he was told by a mechanic that the Auto transmission fluid level was nearly empty, oil smelled burned from engine oil cap. This will all be addressed below.

  For the record: The shop is outfitted with cameras and video of his service is on a flash drive should this matter go any further. 

  The vehicle based on mileage and previous service history (per Carfax) was not due for any maintenance, except an engine oil and filter service. Tire pressures were checked, but wheels were not removed. Setting tire pressure would not cause his "roaring" concern. Tires did appear new and were NOT installed by this shop.  

  Vehicle was driven into shop. Technician performed a "diagnostic pre-scan" using an Autel scan tool. Faults were recorded and are always emailed to my business email for record keeping sake and maintenance service indicator was reset. Vehicle was lifted at its proper lift points, under tray was removed and ********** was drained. Drain plug was reinstalled with a new copper crush washer. Under tray was refitted, and vehicle was lowered. 8 quarts of New TOTAL Full Synthetic 5W40 engine oil meeting specs MBZ 229.3/229.5 was added to vehicle engine. Vehicle was started to reach operating temperature in order to ensure proper fill level. Level was correct on engine oil dip stick.

  In regard to the "burnt smell", simply smelling an engine oil cap would not determine condition of engine oil. The condition of the fluid would be checked with a sample taken via the dip stick tube and would show it has been renewed.

  In regard to the transmission fluid level, the transmission in customers vehicle does not have a dipstick and level can only be checked by draining from bottom of pan, collecting into a unit and replacing fluid with special tools and adapters. No transmission fluid level was checked, adjusted or drained. 

  In regard to his complaint of "lies", my discussion on the phone with him stated: a "whirring"/ "roaring" noise CAN be made by a bad wheel bearing but would have to be checked. 

  Lastly, I did allow ****************** to leave without paying on good faith. He left shop around 10am and called to pay his invoice over the phone around 2pm that day. If the concerns he claims were factual, then they would have been brought up during the payment phone call and were not. The call about the "concerns" came 13 days after the service was performed. 

  I have been a technician since 2008, have multiple automotive certifications from ASE and ******* and Maserati, I have a wonderful reputation within my community, and I am extremely honest, transparent and document everything.

  There is no reason for us to be accused by ****************** for any wrongdoing, malice, or discrimination. All further correspondence will be directed to my legal counsel. 

   

  Customer response

  08/30/2022

   
  Complaint: 17787900
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  After again leaving Thier establishment heading to another appointment that morning the car performed terrible as the day went on 8/8/2022. They damaged my vehicle and I don't care how they fixed Thier surveillance cameras or video I'm am unapologetically saying that Elite caused the damage by short cutting the * service as reflected in the service costs, also they knew that the maintenance intervals were up to par via Carfax records. As I stated I called my bank an hr after Vehicle was supposed to be done correctly and in front of ****** on speaker phone that my bank system was down, ****** was very sure that I could go and call back with payment. It was her suggestion after she heard my bank say system was down and it was for about 2.5 hrs later in which I called and paid my bill and letting ****** know that my vehicle wasn't running right. After driving from ******* (Errands **********) and going home the vehicle proceeded to get worse..I was nervous, scared and uneasy. Felt like it was about to shut down, right front noise became worse, idling rough handling rough and sluggish power as if didn't want to pull. When I got home I parked it. I began to call ****** the same day but amongst the problems I realized I had lost my phone as I mentioned to ***** (Co owner and mother of owner ******) on wed of last week, 26th of Aug and I had just gotten my phone back after going back and retracing my steps realized I had left it at a friend's house in *******. I was NOT driving the ******** I was driving another vehicle I have. Also when I initially Met ****** we had a good conversation, she talked about her accolades, car she owns etc.. I thought the woman was nice, somewhat knowledgeable and I implied that if she was free perhaps dinner sometime. She said NO and I left it alone and went outside while she pulled my car in the bay. I took a walk,got back to the establishment and ****** was finished to my surprise because it takes at minimum 3hrs to perform a correct * service on my vehicle. Over the past when I have had the same service done by ******** it was done correctly, no corners cut like this establishment did and the incompetence or intentionally damaging my car. She mentioned serveral times that I had a very nice vehicle..in which I replied yes with no issues. ma'am or Sir I am a Gas Turbine electrical/mehanical engineer trained by the US Navy. I use to work on vehicles myself and I am mechanically inclined..I know what a oil change consist of, also know that wheel bearings don't just blow out at once, as ****** States the noise was, also Yes a person can smell,see burnt oil on fill cap or just common eye test and smell test. I have experience in ********'s too. Furthermore I would NOT be wasting my time,BBB time if I didn't think They did something to my vehicle to cause the issues that are affecting the proper operation of my car. AGAIN. My vehicle ran smoothly, operated smoothly,no noise 5 min or driving into Elite European Auto and after they did something to it it is undrivable and I told ****** about my concerns on last Friday from today and she gave all these excuses about why it is having noise in the right front tire area or engine area, sluggish power, etc.  She says well have it towed to her and they would try to fit me in if there's a cancellation. I had made a appointment for Sept ********************************* this establishment to repair the damage and furthermoreat my expenses they said get a tow, and at my expenses they would try to fit it in and check it out, perhaps spark plugs changed was the culprit , at my expenses but none of these issues where on my vehicle prior to leaving it in ******'s care. Perhaps She did not have the right kind of computer for my vehicle, maybe wrong part's for a ******** or something but all I know is that my dependable, no issue E350 is non operable. I have integrity, respect for law and order. I expect a business to do the services offered correctly, and professionally!!! I am a honest person, I earned these vehicle's from blood, sweat and tears and I would never accuse anyone of doing something wrong or half hearted or just plain racist or evil if they hadn't. I'm a straight forward man, nonsense guy. I paid them for what they wanted after doing a crappy, perhaps totally destroying my vehicle while taking short cuts to the required * service on my vehicle as you can see if you compare thier work performed print out to ******** *enz "*" services. I'm angry and ****** off because ****** trying to make asking someone to dinner is a crime.. obviously that ticked her off, perhaps because I am *lack man and she wasn't use to being asked to dinner because I thought she was nice and a ok spirit personality but after the business was finished and my attempts to contact her(she said she was out sick the week after my visit to them,her mother said ****** had COVID and wouldn't be back until week of 30th but she evidently wasn't to sick because she was there the next day after her mother said she wouldn't be making me believe that she was not sick but didn't want to talk to me, I also spoke with The other mechanic and he gave me the same answers, excuses that ****** said. **** near word for word about the problems with my car. Like they already had the storyline to tell just in case I complained about the damage. This Friday..the 2nd if September I am paying for tow(400$) from my house (****** **) to a ******** *enz dealership so that they can troubleshoot my vehicles damage, tell me if the oil change was properly done, kind of oil and filter NEEDED strictly for ********!! Why the dipstick is dry for transmission because there is a dip stick on this car contrary to the misleading information that ****** has provided sooo after ************* does the inspection and troubleshooting of my car this coming Friday,1st Fri in September I will know for fact what was done at ******'s Elite European Mechanic shop and what was done incorrectly or wrong part's used etc. They will be able to tell me and if they find ****** Elite European Auto did something wrong,used something wrong,or failed to tighten something or just decided to damage my vehicle because they could and also because they ( She) was angry because I as a gentleman asked if she would have dinner sometime,  and wasn't use to that coming from me!! Or jealous that I have a nice vehicle and black??! I never disrespected her, her mom, ***** or anyone when I talked to them over the past week. I did call a leave a direct and straight forward message to ****** about her negligence in doing a simple * service on my vehicle. Sir or Ma'am. I am a Disabled Gulf War veteran that suffers from Major depression ,PTSD and anxiety..I have a diagnosis from the VA. I use to drive semi over the road trucker So I don't talk like **************** from my neighborhood!!! I speak as I see fit especially when someone is denying my concerns, wanting more money to repair what they damaged done for the purpose of having me pay more money for damage caused by Elite European. After voicing my concerns o was told that I was the 1st. In my mind I'm thinking the 1st what??! Person to come back with complaint, 1st black man that she has serviced his/her vehicle or what!! All I know is that the findings of ******** *enz dealership this Friday should tell me a great deal about what kinda of * service, damage done by Elite. If they find that Elite was negligent, didn't do ALL the necessary things,used bad parts,oil, filter or didn't plug something back in etc. Whatever they report and if it is linked to the * service I paid for on 8/8/22 by Elite European Auto and damage is associated with the appointment with Elite then I want Elite held accountable for costs of ******** to repair my vehicle, the towing cost to ******** *enz dealership, emotional and physical pain and suffering..I will contact my Ga attorney upon summary of ******** *enz inspection!! My name and character is just as good as ****** claims her is. I don't lie and I would never be doing this if I wasn't absolutely sure that major damage and or lack of properly doing service on my car causing the car to be inoperable..I look forward to adjudication and resolving this shameful and inadequate service that I paid for..
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

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