Complaint Review: Flashpoint Motor Sports - Matthew R. Swoboda

On Saturday April 5th 2008 my mechanic, Arthur G., phoned me to tell me that my car was raided by Matthew R. Swoboda. This facebook group is to make everyone aware of the facts. These are actual facts of an actual event that actually took place. If you have done business with Matthew R. Swoboda from Flashpoint Motor Sports then you really should read this.

Here's the complete story:
I brought my car to my mechanic. He was renting the shop from Matthew R. Swoboda, who is the lease-holder on the shop, Flashpoint Motor Sports located at 171 Limestone Crescent, near Dufferen and Steeles.

Matthew R. Swoboda decided that my mechanic was not allowed to use the shop anymore and on the night I was to pick up my car it was not ready. Matthew R. Swoboda told me that my mechanic is not allowed to use the shop anymore, and that he has no place to complete the car. He painted a picture that lead me to asking him for an estimate on Matthew R. Swoboda completing my car.

I called my mechanic and told him what happened and he said Matthew R. Swoboda was trying to steal his clients. My mechanic had plenty of time given by Matthew R. Swoboda to finish all of his cars before he had to leave the shop.

On Saturday April 5th 2008 my mechanic, Arthur, phoned me to tell me that my car, and 2 other cars, were raided by Matthew R. Swoboda. I asked him how he knew it was Matthew R. Swoboda and he said that people saw him take my car away and push it back a few hours later. He said the cameras on the building show him doing it too. About 30 minutes later my mechanic called me back to tell me that he confronted Matthew R. Swoboda about it, which he first denied it, but quickly changed his story to admitting it.

My wife and I loaded our kids into the van and drove from Oshawa to north Toronto to see for ourselves. When we got there I inspected my car and took photos of everything he did. I made a list of everything that was missing or different:

Interior
CD/MP3 Deck
Shifter Knob
Instrument Cluster
Boost Gauge
Computer
Center Console
Two MasterCraft Socket Sets from the trunk
Spare parts from the trunk (old BOV & Rad)

Exterior
Dent in front passenger fender

Engine Bay
Some lines/wires were cut/stripped
Air Filter
Intercooler Piping
BOV and Piping
Turbo and Piping
Exhaust Manifold

That is just casual inspection - I did not lift up the car to see what else Matthew R. Swoboda took. There are very likely to be things that are not listed.

My mechanic came out of the neighboring shop while I was making my list. I asked him where Matthew R. Swoboda was and to get him here. He reached Matthew R. Swoboda and told him I was there and pissed. I took the phone and Matthew R. Swoboda said he was on camera doing it and that he would put it all back together. I told Matthew R. Swoboda to come tell me to my face. Matthew R. Swoboda said he would be there in 10 minutes.

10 Minutes later Matthew R. Swoboda showed up driving a green GMC pickup. Matthew R. Swoboda got out of the truck and faced me, my wife, my mechanic and another person who's car he raided. Matthew R. Swoboda proceeded to tell us that there are 2 sides to every story. I am not going to go through it all word for word, this is the paraphrased version.

Matthew R. Swoboda said that my mechanic owed him money so he did this to force him to pay up. Shocked by his illogic I told Matthew R. Swoboda that I am not my mechanic. My wife got really upset at that point. Our daughters were there so it was easy for her to point out that Matthew R. Swoboda problems should not affect our family. We need that car to transport our children around and this is simply unacceptable behavior.

Matthew R. Swoboda said he would be able to get all of the parts back, even the ones he sold to make rent, because he already spoke to the people he sold it all to. My wife was not pleased still, obviously, and she started yelling at him, and poking him in the chest with each point. He nervously backed up and made eye contact with me while she was telling him off. My mechanic took her arm to bring her away from Matthew R. Swoboda and I then stood in front of her to create more space. She went to the van to calm down and the men continued to talk to him. The other guy who was ripped off was telling him he needs to fix this because bad things will happen otherwise.

I made it clear that the police would be involved if Matthew R. Swoboda cannot completely restore the car to the state he found it by Monday (April 7th 2008) afternoon. Matthew R. Swoboda accepted that and pointed out that he already had that agreement with my mechanic to do the same thing. Matthew R. Swoboda also said that he was not responsible for the dent to the fender, to which my wife pointed out that he could take care of that as compensation for the trouble Matthew R. Swoboda caused.

In the end I told Matthew R. Swoboda to get out of here and go solve this problem. Matthew R. Swoboda went inside his shop and returned to his truck an unknown female who had not arrived with him. They left.

After Matthew R. Swoboda was gone I learned that this is not the first time he has ripped people off. There was an older BMW in his shop that had expensive rims that mysteriously disappeared the only night the car was parked outside of the shop. Matthew R. Swoboda made a mistake during a conversation with my mechanic and revealed that he actually was involved.

On my way home I phoned the police to ask them what I should do. The police told me that if he does not return the car to it's original condition then charges can be made against him because it is an actual theft.

We are all shocked that Matthew R. Swoboda had the balls to stand in front of the people he ripped off, and admitted to doing, and even he tried to Justify it! If he puts my car back together and there are problems that affect my family or my children's safety that makes him responsible. I don't understand how that girlfriend of his can feel good about her man who puts other people's children at risk because someone else owes him money.

UPDATE SUNDAY APRIL 6th 2008

I went to meet Arthur and talk about doing work on my van, as well as make sure that Matt was really working on my car. I get there and no one is there. I send Matt an SMS telling him I am there. He replies he is on his way to bring the car out, and that it is all back together. Eventually he shows up and brings it out. He said he put it back together last night. He offered me to test drive it to be sure it's good. I opened it up and looked it all over. I was shocked, but it was seemingly normal. He put everything back and in the time it took him there is no doubt in my mind that this was all part of his plan. The parts were not likely sold off because he got them and put it back together so fast. He even found time to wipe down the interior and fold the towels I had in the trunk. The only thing he did not handle was the dent because he said he didn't do it. I ultimately decided not to push in case he was about to go off his rocker and rob me again, or cause problems for Arthur.

I almost sensed a little remorse from him when he spoke. As if he had no idea that I was a father and this car was used to transport kids... Wait, only parents think like that. He's a s**t head and the thing I sensed was just empty space between his ears. What kind of moron plans something like this (rhetorical).

Anyways, the car worked fine. The alternator is still dead so I waited for him to leave and then I hid the car so he would not see it.

UPDATE WEDNESDAY APRIL 10th 2008

Today Andy and went to check out my 1995 Eagle Talon TSi AWD in proper lighting, as well as on a hoist, so we could see the quality of the work Matthew R. Swoboda did. On the hoist we could see that Matthew R. Swoboda used RTV sealant in place of proper gaskets. Perhaps he thought that I would not notice the huge oil leak, or the black smoke out the back, or the piles of red goo all over the turbo and oil pan. As soon as you turn it on the oil races out from all the RTV joins. I could not take the car home, yet again!

I am fed up with this kid. On my way home I stopped in at 42 Division and filed a report. I even sent him an SMS to let him know I was doing that. His phone was off so I guess will get it a little late. I wrote him an email outlining some very simple points of interest, such as what I am going to do next and what he needs to do next.

Lance
Oshawa, Ontario
Canada