;
  • Report:  #615289

Complaint Review: Belle Tire - Woodhaven Michigan

Reported By:
Valerie - Grosse Ile, Michigan, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:

Belle Tire
23901 Allen Rd Woodhaven, 48183 Michigan, United States of America
Phone:
734 676 8244
Web:
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?

Took my car to Woodhaven Belle Tire for a rotation. Told we needed a new tire. They would'nt honor the warranty (we bought 4 new tires 6 months previously) ,said it was because we needed an alignment. Paid for the new tire, brought the car back a few hours later for the alignment.

After the alignment, they broke off the key in the ignition. The manager called us at home to inform us. He said it was not their fault as the car is 10 years old and these things "just happen". After much discussion, he offered to pay for 50% of the $220 repair. At no time did they apologize for the situation.

This company has little respect for their customers and their product is cheap.



2 Updates & Rebuttals

Robert

Buffalo,
New York,
USA
Small claims court works.

#2Consumer Suggestion

Sun, June 20, 2010

Small claims court works very well for this type of situation.

However, you need to establish that you have demanded that they pay for the repair and they have refused.

What you need to do;

1.  Get an estimate for the CORRECT repair or have the lock repair..  Normally, a good locksmith can remove the broken off portion of the key and the ignition switch will be fine.  Also include the cost of a REPLACEMENT KEY.

2.  Send this joint a certified, return receipt requested letter that demands that they pay the FULL AMOUNT to repair/restore you ignition lock and keys.  In the letter, give them 10 BUSINESS DAYS to remit the full amount to you.  Inform them in your letter that you will pursue judicial remedy if they do not make you whole.

3.  If they don't pay you, file a claim in small claims court.  After the court awards your claim, feel free to inform the entire world that you had to sue them to get them to make you whole.

-side note:  if they don't pay the JUDGMENT, you should go back to the clerk of the court to request an enforcement order-this is routine in the case of a deadbeat defendant.  In most U.S. jurisdictions, an enforcement order can be any or all of the following:

lien against real property,

levy against bank accounts (if you paid by check their bank account number will be on the reverse of the check. (a good reason to pay with a written check if you don't have a real credit card.)

levy against any business tax refunds,

levy against any other property of value;  machinery, tow vehicles, diagnostic/alignment equipment, etc.

Good luck.  You should prevail.

P.S.  If after they are served with a summons to small claims court, they contact you and offer you a settlement, do not forget to include your small claims court FILING FEE-once you file a suit, you're entitled to your court costs.

 


Ronny g

North hollywood,
California,
USA
This company is not standing behind thier work...

#3Consumer Comment

Sun, June 20, 2010

EVERYONE in the automotive service industry knows they have a certain amount of risk and liability, which is factored into the charges for service.

Now, unless there was something written on the invoice that specifically states "these things happen" or it has a "these things happen" clause stating they are not responsible if they break the key off in the ignition..then they must by all ethical standards, and the law, make good.

Granted, there is a good chance the key was on it's way out anyhow, and it was just bad luck or timing that it happened while they were working on your vehicle rather then to you, they still are required to make good. If they had noticed a problem with the key or the ignition cylinder prior to working on your vehicle, you should have been informed and told to sign a waver, or at the very least, orally warned.

I have restored cars that were over 40 years old and the original key was not broken. Yet you can buy a brand new Toyota and the accelerator could malfunction. No one knows when these things will happen, but generally the one behind the wheel is liable, unless the manufacturer can be implicated and held responsible.

Reports & Rebuttal
Respond to this report!
Also a victim?
Repair Your Reputation!
//