Complaint Review: McKnight's Garage - Charleston South Carolina

It's bad enough being ripped off by an auto repair facility, but does the BBB have to support that business and ignore my claim? Does the BBB have to find threats issued by that company a "good will" gesture?

new to the area of Charleston, SC, I didn't know where to bring my vehicle when it wouldn't start. I was also insecure financially, having just evacuated from New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Using only the Yellow Pages as reference, I found McKnight's Garage, the ad for which stated it was in business for over 30 years. Thinking that long term would indicate honesty, I chose this facility for the repair of my car.

I told McKnight's that I could only assume the problem to be the timing belt in my layman's opinion, but that I would need their professional analysis. I also explained that, due to my financial circumstances as well as the 10-year age of the vehicle, I would not pay for repairs that cost more than the car was worth. Mr. Jim McKnight assured me that he would determine the actual problem, and that his facility had ample experience replacing timing belts should that be the case.

On this assurance, I had my car towed to this garage. And then I never heard from them.

After three days, I contacted the repair facility. Mr. McKnight told me that my timing belt was fine, but I needed a completely new engine. When asked how much, he replied with "a couple of thousand, at least." I explained again that I wouldn't have expensive repairs on the 10-year old vehicle. Mr. McKnight replied with "well, let me look at again and I'll call you right back." He didn't.

On the afternoon of the fourth day, I went to the facility. I found my car outside of the repair garage. One staff member tried to show me that compression was poor, which indicated the engine needed replacement.

While I found this demonstration to be questionable, I kept my mouth shut. I only said that I could not pay that much. I paid for repair need analysis only, and was told I had to have my car removed from their facility as soon as possible.

The very next morning, I received phone calls from McKnight's again telling me to have my car removed. That afternoon it was towed back to my temporary home following evacuation. And I found the engine in pieces, its parts scattered all about the engine compartment, dashboard and trunk.

I took photos of the parts and pieces and took them to McKnight's. Jim McKnight told that if I refused his recommended service, he felt no obligation to return the car to me in the condition in which he received it. I told him that I disagreed, and believed him to be legally obligated to do so. He refused to speak to me further, and I left the facility. That same day, I cancelled the check I submitted to McKnight's on the day before.

I later sent the car to another repair facility, where I was charged additional fees to reattach all of the loose engine parts. I also learned that there was absolutely no problem with the engine at all. Instead, it was the starter that needed repair.

With such confirmation that McKnight's was obviously wrong and obviously tried to rip me off, I sent the facility a bill for: fees I paid for re-assembling the engine, fees I paid for towing the car to the other facility, fees I paid for cancelling the check submitted to their garage, and fees for leaving me without a car for four days ($50 per day). I also filed complaint with the Better Business Bureau of this region (BBB of Columbia and Eastern SC).

McKnight's replied to me and to the BBB with a threat: he would have me arrested for cancelling the check I issued as payment. He also insisted on additional fees for "inconvenience." Incidentally, Jim McKnight further revealed his stupidity by repeatedly using the term "WARRENTY for your arrest."

I replied by advising Mr. McKnight to consult with an attorney, which he would also need if he didn't pay me the money I found due by February 1st. I forwarded all of these communications to the BBB.

I have just now received a letter from the BBB stating that it finds my case to be satisfactorily closed due to Mr. McKnight's attempt of "good will."

Since when is "good will" a threat of arrest following an obvious ripoff?

Since when is the need for a starter repair a sign of need for complete engine replacement?

On February 1, 2006 I will file claim against McKnight's garage. And I hope like **** that some media will pick up not only on his scam attempt, but on the BBB's support of him, too.

Rob

Summerville, South Carolina
U.S.A.