Mike Amalfitano Jet Ski Repair, Bike Repair, ATV Repair Decpetive Trade Practices, InComplete Repairs San Antonio, Texas
I took my PWC ( Personal Water Craft) to Mike for repairs after finding him on SanAntonio.Craigslist.org.
I explained to him, in detail, the problem that was being experienced with the PWC.
Mike explained that he knew exactly what the problem was as he had seen this type of failure many times before in his years of working at the dealer in service. He gave me an estimate for the repairs, then asked for a deposit for the parts in advance. (Red Flag #1)
He informed me that he was ordering the parts much cheaper through his dealer source than I could get them for, and like a true sucker, I trusted his word. Furthemore, he told me that my PWC would be set and ready for the weekend at the lake.
It took triple the amount of time for the repairs as we had originally agreed upon, and upon completetion the dollar amount of the repair was much higher than we had discussed. He claimed in part that he had to lake test the PWC and there was additional parts required. Hesitantly, I agreed to the additional cost, as I needed my PWC back. At the time of pick up, I was informed that Mike only would accept cash for payment. (Another HUGE red flag.)
I took the two hour drive to the lake, PWC in tow, and upon launching at the lake, the PWC was still performing the exact same way.
I limped the ski back onto the trailer, and hauled it all the way back into San Antonio for additional repairs.
What should have been warranty work, cost me almost an additional $1,000.00, however, at this point I was a total hostage. I had no choice but to pay because I was already invested for $1,900.00. Again, cash only was the term of the transaction.
Again, I trek all the way to the lake with the PWC, only to find that the ski was still completely inoperable, and was still having the exact same problem.
Frustrated and furious, I called a marine repair service at the lake, and had them come assess the situation, I was quickly informed that some of the repairs and parts that I paid for were never completed or installed and that the work that was completed was done so in the fashion of a total amature.
I would advise anyone that is invested in PWC, ATV or Motorcycles to avoid Mike Amalfitano at all expenses. Additionally, if you see 210-999-0669 advertised as a mechanic or service provided, quickly look the other direction and take your unit to a reputable retail repair facility.
Again, several weeks later, I was given a call and told that the PWC was ready.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Ben
San Antonio,Texas,
United States of America
Mike ripped me off as well
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, February 28, 2012
I'm truly shocked there are a few people in the area Mike Amalfitano has not ripped off....maybe their friends with Mike, who knows. Mike Amalfitano "the dishonest mechanic" ripped me off as well. Much of the original posters content is eerily familiar in my dealing with this con-artist.
bigtexan99
San Antonio,Texas,
United States of America
Mike did me right
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, February 15, 2012
After I dropped of my SeaDoo jetboat for an engine overhaul, I came across this report and became concerned at all the red flags the original poster wrote about. But after picking up my completed boat and lake testing it this weekend (yes it was frigging cold) I think the original poster is blowing alot of hot air.
Red flags? LOL. Not hardly. Mike is an honest mechanic working out of his home. His home! That means if you do business with him, you know where he lives. Think about that for a minute. Mike is a home-based mechanic. He's not a dealer. He does not take credit cards and he does not give credit. If you need parts for your PWC, you pay -in advance- and in cash. What's wrong with that? He does not know you from Adam, why would you expect him to order hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of parts on his credit card and *hope* you pay him later?
Like you, my repair cost a little more than originally estimated. How in the world is that Mike's fault? You open up the engine and you find something unexpected. Mike is supposed to eat that cost?
Mike skillfully rebuilt my engine and kept me updated along the way with photos of the work in progress sent to my phone. I am more than satisfied and have no hesitation in recommending his service if you need repair work. Still doubtfull? Call me at (((ROR redacted))) You know the area code in San Antonio.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
big trey
United States of AmericaMike is an Excelent Mechanic
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, February 10, 2012
Hi My name is Trey. I have been a customer of Mikes for almost a year now. I found him through craigslist like the other guy, but his work has always been awsome. I met him when i bought my second jet ski. It needed the carbs re done and the fuel line changed and my normal jet ski shop was closed and thank god. Mike did the carbs and fuel line for half of what my old guy charged me to do the same thing on an identical model. The job was done in a couple days. He showed me all kinds of thing that i needed to take care of and he got me water ready in no time. I even decided to have him put an aqua step on the back.
Since then he has worked on my motorcycle and my 4 wheeler. He has always got the job done fast and at a hell of a price. Heck, he only charges like 35 per hour for labor. Yes he does only take cash and he works out of his garage but if you have a problem with that then go pay double at some shop. I'll be using Mike for a LONG time and i hope this report doesn't stop anyone from using his services.
jln
SAN ANTONIO,Texas,
United States of America
Mike Amalfitano is the best honest mechanic I've found in the San Anotnio area.
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, January 26, 2012
Well I took my personal vehicle to Mike Amalfitano after finding him on craigslist as well. I had already taken my vehicle to 3 other mechanics, and was quoted outrageous prices, so I found someone with a lower quote. Which happen to be Mike Amalfitano.
Mike took a look at me vehicle turned it on and listened to the engine, he looked like he knew what was wrong already, and he looked under the hood. He showed me what he thought to be the problem. Which wasn't the problem any of the other 3 mechanics had told me was wrong. So I asked him about what the other mechanics had said was wrong, and he double checked and told me that the other mechanics were wrong. Then he told me what all parts I would need, he told me that I could purchase them myself or he could order them for me through his dealer source. So I asked him what his prices for the parts would be, he then gave a price list. I later called around pricing parts and his prices were still cheaper. So I had him order my parts and begin work on my vehicle.
Mike told me that he does cash only, which I could understand, since he told me out right that if there were any problems with the work HE did to just bring back the vehicle and he would fix it at no labor cost to me. And If something else was wrong/damaged he would let me know before touching any other part of my vehicle. So I agreed and paid him cash. He told me it would take about 3 days for him to finish working on my vehicle. I left my vehicle with him and returned 3 days later to a vehicle that was in perfect working condition. Approximately 6 months later I had a completely different issue with the same vehicle and I immediately took it to Mike, he had the same agreement as the time before, cash only and if there were any problems with the work HE did to just bring it back and he would work on it at no labor cost to me. Again, I left my vehicle with Mike and he called me 2 days later to let me know that my vehicle was ready for pick-up. I was so excited because it was really cheap to have my vehicle fixed and he managed to get it fixed faster than what he had originally told me!
And to date, I haven't had any problems at all with my vehicle. Mike work is so impeccable that I've referred all of my friends and family members to him. And when I ask my family and friends about how their experience's were, they all thank me for recommending Mike, because they all received the same great HONEST work from Mike. It's really hard to find a great mechanic that's not trying to take advantage of you, but I definitely found an HONEST MECHANIC IN MIKE!