I own a 1955 Chevy. I met Mike Narkon in a grocery store, he introduced himself as a Christian mechanic. I believed him, I admit it, I fell for his "I'm an honest guy" routine, hook, line & sinker.
To make a long story short, I paid him $6,000.00 dollars to re-build the original 265 V8 in my car. After two months, I got my car back, did the whole "take it easy for the first 500 miles" thing. (the receipt he gave me was three pages of new parts, & labor.
I had to take my son to the airport, which is about 70 miles from my home. About 25 miles from home, on the freeway, my car started to over-heat. I immediately pulled over, then pushed it UP the off ramp, and called for a tow.
I had it towed right to Direct Auto. Mike Narkon opened the hood of the car, stomped his feet, and screamed, "Now I have to re-build the whole d**n thing."
I think that's when he decided he wasn't going to honor his own warranty.
I took my car to the local Cheverolet Dealership - turns out he didn't do ANY of the work he listed on my receipt. He put in ONE new piston, painted the heads, painted the radiator, steam cleaned the motor, and did not use any gaskets, just the sealant that comes in a tube. There were metal shavings in the oil. (I paid to have it analyzed)
I filed with the Better Business Bureau - he responded with a long letter about how he "would never", "he was a christian", "he's just an honest guy, trying to make a living"...blah blah blah. The clincher was, he said he saw someone racing my car in another city. He said everything, and anything he could to dis-credit me, and make himself sound like the victim.
You know, it's true, when you get good service, and are satisfied, you tell a few people - because it's a done deal. But, when you get screwed; it just doesn't go away, and you tell everyone!
I ended up having to put a new motor in my car. It's no longer stock, which is what I wanted. For $6,000.00 I could have had one heck of a crate (new) motor installed.
Hind sight being 20/20 - I sure would have spent that money differently. My husband has terminal cancer, I thought I was doing something that would ease his worries about his family's future. Silly me.
If you are ever in Salem, Oregon, and break down;
STAY AWAY FROM MIKE NARKON, AND DIRECT AUTO!
Linda
Salem, Oregon
U.S.A.