After seeing a commercial, I took my car to Discount Engine Exchange LLC in October 2013. My car is still in the shop because every time I would make a payment, more money was needed (for parts, etc.). To begin with, Eric Deroche (owner) and his receptionist Kim are complete scam artists and should not be able to operate a business. They should be SHUT DOWN. Eric has charged me over $9K as to date, which I have paid. I originally starting off owing about $5K. However, each week, the fees started going further and further up. Eric & Kim called my cell and work phone excessively trying to extract more money from me. The way Eric looks at cash money as you are handing it to him is pitiful. He is greedy, demanding and will find any way to bamboozled more money from innocent consumers. This is not right!
Eric is unjust and creates random, fictitious names to disguise more lies. Something is definitely wrong with this man, thinking he can continue getting over on consumers. I will never go to him again. My final balance ended up being over $10K. [When I call to speak with Eric, he throws random names into the conversation, that have nothing to do with the matter at hand (Richard, Joe, etc.)] He’s even lied to me stating he was someone else when I’ve called his PERSONAL cell phone. When he is proven wrong, he hangs up the phone.
On Tuesday 12/31/13, Eric & I verbally agreed he'd release my car for $2,400 (which includes my balance of just over $2,300 and a bit for the $25/day storage charges). I clearly told him that $2,400 was all I had and could afford. Eric insisted that I hurry and go the bank in case they closed early today (which is a lie). He and I both bank at Compass, and banks do not close early on 12/31.
I told Eric I could not drive and would send my mom down today to pick up the car. My mother arrived to Discount Engine before closing time at 5pm to pay him off, and pick my vehicle up, but Eric locked all of the doors to the shop, and told her to wait for 30 minutes until "Sean" came back from a test drive (on another vehicle). He was going to give her the car. Unfortunately, he left cold turkey, and about an hour passed, and no "Sean" ever showed up. My mom walked around the complete shop & banged on all the doors, looking for someone to help.
When I called Eric's cell phone, he said his name was "Richard" & that I needed to, "pay your bills mam". I told him that I had given him $2,400 to resolve the matter, as we discussed just a few hours earlier. Eric is currently holding my vehicle hostage for $200, which is part of the accumulated $25/day storage fees.
Overall, the way the shop stores the cars is schemey and unacceptable. My car is currently near broken down car parts from random cars, and I am not sure if it has even been repaired. At this time, it sounds as if Eric is trying to steal my car over $200 now. Complete rip off, con artist and scammer!!!!! This man needs to be taken down!!!!!