AIS Mechanical $2k in repairs to car they sid was good, never delivered pics, refused to refund for another car that they never inspected Grand Prairie Texas
I contacted AIS Mechanical on about July 24, 2007 to inspect a car in Cabot AR. I have been looking for a really clean low mileage 89 - 94 Nissan Maxima for a couple of years for my wifes birthday (she has been driving a 91 for the past 10 years)
On JUly 26 they told me that they had scheduled the inspection and I paid them through PayPal. Late on July 27 the car dealer called and said that they had sold the car. I contacted Rob at AIS and he appologised for the delay that lost the car for me, that he would refund my money through PayPal and he said he would give me a break on another inspection if I needed one in the future.
On July 31 I called for an inspection on another Maxima in the Chicago area. Rob told me that they would get it done right away. He said that he ahd already refunded the previous fee so I paid him again (he seemed to forget the promis to give me a break on this inspection).
On August 2 they inspected the car and emailed the reort on the next day. No pictures with the report.
The report lists the suspension as normal, rides and handles well. The toe in is way out of spec making the car jerky to steer. two on the struts are no good and the other two are very weak. The car needs all four struts and an allignment.
The report lists firm break pedal, good performance. There is pulsing in the brake pedal when stopping and the rear brakes are making a scraping noise. The car needs front pads and rotors and rear drums and shoes.
The report lists the paind as good with only minor scratches and dings. There is what looked like polish residue all over the car. It is damage to the clear caot from someone buffing the car and burning the paint. Live with it or paint the whole car.
The report lists the wheels and tires as good tread and wear pattern, no impact marks or scratches on wheels. The front tires are good but miss matched and the rear are scalloped so bad that the car feels like it is driving on rumble strips. The wheels are badly corroded.
The report lists the exhaust as slightly louder than normal. The car needs a complete exhause system from the manifolds back except for the cat.
The prport list the engine, transmission and driving performance as normal. The car has a bad surge/hesitation when cold and it smoothes out to ONLY a light throttle surge when driving. This is an incompetent report at best.
I will spent at least $2000.00 to bring this $4200.00 car up to the condition described in the report.
I am writing this on September 7. Rob said he thought he refunded the first fee. I have proved to him that he has not. He has promised promised to refund my money. He has not.
In the last two weeks he has not responded to phone messages or email. He screens his calls through his answering service.
While I was trying to get the pictures I got a phone call from someone who identified himself as on of AIS's inspectors. He told me that AIS cheats their inspectors. They don't get paid or their pay is held up unreasonably.
I have no way of knowing how AIS treats their employees. What ever the problem this is not the company you want to use for insurance on a major purcahse. They are at best incompetent.
Buck
Swanzey, New Hampshire
U.S.A.