- Report: #1462593
Complaint Review: Alex Leontiev - Fullerton California
Reported By:
AlexLeontievisunethical -
Anaheim, California, United States
Submitted:
Updated:
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Author Confirmed
Why?
Alex Leontiev
637 W Valencia Dr unit b Fullerton, 92832 California, United States
Phone:
(714) 773-5500
Web:
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Alex Leontiev First Class AutoWorks Overcharged, defrauded, charged over $500 for a part that WAS NOT CHANGED! Fullerton California
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I will be updating my review regarding my experience with this place. I'd think twice about giving them my business. Apparently cheat the customer, overcharge and sell them parts you don't actually replace is the business model here. I dropped off one of our work vans off last week to address the check engine light. We found two codes and told Alex prior to bringing the van what the two codes were. He calls me with an estimate of $3244.00. It was actually $3359.23 when I arrived. He stated I needed a new catalytic converter and sensors replaced. I acquiesced and approved as we need to get the vehicle smogged. When I picked the vehicle up just before entering the freeway the check engine light reappeared! I turned around and took the van back and asked "why did I just pay $3400, the check engine light is on!?" . I was told Alex slipped out, I sat and waited, when he returned he plugged in the code reader and showed me a code for the DEF heater. I reminded him once again, we already told him it was on!! I left the van yet again. Alex called late the following morning and stated this repair would be $1700! I refused and told him I will pick my van up. I ubered (for the 3rd time at a cost of $105 total) to retrieve my van. He asked what I planned to do about the DEF heater, I asked AGAIN for the return of my NOX sensors he claims he replaced, after an "oh, um.... the scrap guy came and picked them up just yesterday" I reminded him I requested my old parts back! You know, PER CALIFORNIA LAW! I digress, I told him his pricing is outrageous trying to charge me ANOTHER $1700 after getting paid $3400, my God I can buy a used car!!! I told him the OEM DEF filter online is $600 MAX, the def tank which I have removed before is held in with 4 bolts, it's a 45minute job!! Who the hell makes $1864 an hour!!! Apparently Alex. I know he gets them even cheaper. He goes on to feed me some line about "If it doesn't come in a Mercedes box" You are full of sh*t! Mercedes doesn't make the DEF heater, many of the OEM parts are Bosch. He claimed he would show me his "invoice" which I had already had it with my intelligence being insulted. I know how this works, and I am not interested in seeing a fake invoice which reflects a catalog price or suggested retail price. After the shuddering and repeated lines of bunk I'd ruminate this is common practice at First Class Ripoff Autoworks, where you cheat your customers. I will be updating this review and adding it online once finished. In the meantime I am waiting for a refund for the stolen funds, or I can simply sue this perfidious mechanic. Wouldn't be the first time I've caught a lying mechanic, sued them, won, and collected a judgment. B&P code 9884.9 (a) also requires a written estimate and authorization exceeding initial estimate, neither was provided. On the phone call where I approved the initial work I specified I wanted the old parts returned. When I asked for the nox sensors they claim they replaced $990 plus tax plus installation alex replied "oh, uh, the scrap guy picked them up". You scrapped MY parts, who gave you permission to scrap my parts. I reminded Alex I stated I wanted them back, you know, PER CALIFORNIA LAW! Per California Automotive Repair act 1974 The shop is required by law to return the parts to you only if you ask for them before the work is done. Perhaps this is why Anthony quit working here...
Alex claims he had to "see what's going on" as "I was charged for two sensors". When infact according to the board in the waiting room which reflects all vehicles being serviced at this time including year and type of vehicle, customer and which mechanic "sold" a job and which mechanic "serviced" the vehicle, the name ALEX and ALEX was written under both. Ergo, Alex was the ONLY person who worked on our van.
$3400 later and I am no further ahead than when i brought the vehicle in, still cannot pass smog, still has the check engine light on. Apparently I will have to do the repair myself, you know, the repair Alex wanted OVER $1700 MORE dollars for, the one consisting of replacing a heater in the diesel exhaust fluid tank, with FOUR bolts holding the tank in place, the one I can get OEM online for < $600
As far as I'm concerned Alex is no different than a common thief and cannot be trusted or relied upon.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Firstclassautocrooks
Anaheim,United States
Defrauded and further damage was caused!!!
#2Author of original report
Tue, October 23, 2018
After being defrauded and overcharged by Alex Leontiev, catching him redhanded, he refunded the cost of the part he didn't change. But for my tenacity and due diligence I would be out over $500!
To add insult to injury, since I left his shop on occasion when I hit a bump I get a "thump" coming from the rear cargo area of the van, unsure what this noise is, and assuming it could be my tools or parts I was unable to ascertain where the noise was coming from. Just days after Alex Leontiev worked on my van, charging me $3,359.23, charging me for a nox sensor that wasn't changed, attempting to charge me $1700 MORE for a DEF heater so the check engine light would go off, you know, the REASON I BROUGHT IT TO THIS SHOP IN THE FIRST PLACE!! I'm driving on the freeway and several lights came on the dash, ABS, ESP, traction control etc. I'm ready to scream. What now!?? Two days later still perplexed I crawled underneath my van and discovered Alex's handwork, the exhaust was sitting on the back axle and clearly melted some wiring. I immediately took it to another mechanic. Turns out, Alex's negligence cause the ABS and brake cables to melt due to the fact the rear mounting bracket was never installed on the exhaust Alex changed. This cost me $478.91 to fix what Alex damaged. I sent him an email, asked for a refund, no refund has been submitted. I have filed a court case against him for this and part of the labor returned since clearly he never changed the $500 sensor, and this wasn't completed correctly. This nimrod could have caused a serious or fatal accident if I lost my brakes!! Court case two months out, I will update after the case is heard. Do yourself a favor and stay away from FIRST CLASS AUTO CROOKS! And Alex Leontiev
