Complaint Review: Purrfect Auto #6 - Las Vegas Nevada

In response to the re-buttle of my re-buttle, I'd like to clear the air on a few things. Some may have taken what I stated as an assult on Shera or Purrfect Auto. It was not meant to be an assult in any way, just my point of view and opinion on what I saw, heard and how it left me feeling during the time with the company. I in no way meant to harm the reputation of Purrfect Auto or the company behind the franchise. I figured that should someone read my post, there would have been a good reason they were on the website and reading what they were reading. I also had no clue that one could be sued for posting anything. As I stated in my re-buttle. MOST of the franchisees I met during my time with the company were wonderful people with the worlds best intentions in serving their customers. This is true of ANY company. Regardless of the name of the shop you go to. it's the PEOPLE that make or break the experience. I have seen the best of the business and I have seen the worst. If you go too many different shops, you're bound to find a bad one. And thats under ANY brand named franchised, or corporate owned auto repair facility. If you find a good shop, and I can name many great Purrfect Auto locations. stick by them. They will take care of you. What I was saying was that the story to which I posted a re-buttle. did not suprise me. Im not saying anything else about that story, other than. It did not suprise me. In all fairness I suppose that has happened in many different shops under many different names to many different people. I still talk to many of the owners in the Purrfect Auto system. I still talk to many of their employees. And it's still my opinion that MOST of the Purrfect Auto locations are as honest as the day is long. What I am saying is that no matter where you go. No matter what shop you end up at. really look around. Are they professional enough? Do they know what they're doing? Are you paying a fair price? What does your GUT tell you. Follow it. it should'nt let you down

I have been informed by Shera Inc. that if I do not post a retraction to my staments to you guys, that they will sue me. I told their lawyer that I would not file a retraction, but instead ask to have the rebuttel that I posted removed.

This responds to the statements made about Shera, Inc. and its franchisees on this site in a May 30, 2007 posting by Dave entitled, Common problems with the company in question. Dave's posting is filled with false and misleading statements which could only have been made with the intent to cause harm to Shera and its franchisees. Shera sells Purrfect Auto Service Store franchises. Its franchise disclosure statement is on file with the California Department of Corporations. Shera's franchisees come from many different backgrounds. Shera does not keep track of their national origin, and it is offensive that Dave even raises such a matter in his posting. Each Purrfect Auto Service Store is independently owned and operated. Each franchisee is responsible for selecting and hiring his, her or its own managers. As in any industry, Purrfect Auto Service Store managers fall within a broad range of competence and qualification. Most of them are experienced and capable managers, not the drug users and incompetents Dave maliciously and recklessly describes in his posting. Shera's training guide requires that franchisees never recommend services that are not needed and that they always perform the services for which customers are charged. In addition, Shera requires that its franchisees have their employees sign an ethics policy. Dave's comments about Harry do not deserve comment, as they are unfounded and vindictive. Lawsuits against Shera are disclosed in its filings with the California Department of Corporations. Shera is not buried in lawsuits. Like all businesses, lawsuits occur and are a part of doing business. Shera cannot legally provide specific figures to rebut Dave's false and unfounded claim that most of its franchisees lose thousands of dollars per week. Potential purchasers make their own business decisions with respect to a franchise's potential for success. If Dave's false assertions were true, there would be no Purrfect Auto Service Stores in existence. On the contrary, however, there are Purrfect Auto Service franchisees who have owned their locations for many years, including one who has owned his location since the franchise system was founded in 1993. It is simply false to say that 80% of Purrfect Auto Service Store franchisees sell their stores within two years or that 80% of them go broke, as Dave maliciously asserted in his posting. Shera sells franchises in accordance with standard business practices. There are no hidden fees or false sales prices. Shera encourages the public to judge each Purrfect Auto Service Store on its own merits and not rely on the bitter rantings of a dissatisfied former employee of Shera. The customer whose complaint prompted Dave's false posting properly looked for resolution of his complaints to the owner of the Purrfect Auto Service Store where he had taken his rented vehicle for repair. As franchisees are responsible for their stores' operations, that store's owner is responsible for addressing the customer's complaint, and it appears from the customer's posting that the owner is doing so. Through its lawyer, Shera has sent Dave a letter demanding that he retract his posting and cease and desist from his defamatory statements against Shera and its franchisees. Shera sincerely hopes that he will comply with those demands.

I have to say, as a former employee of the corporate office for Purrfect Auto... this is a common problem with this company. I left after two years due to the fact that there are very few shops in the program that are equipped with the right caliber of people, who have the ethics, to serve their customers properly. I have to go on record and say that most... not all... of the owners of the Purrfect Auto shops are good people, sold on a failing program (You really should HEAR what they 'teach' them in so-called franchisee orientation.. it would leave you speechless). These are professionals that cannot find work in their field, and looking to invest in their retirement. They come accross the automotive repair market and see it as a way to make a nest egg. Almost 85% of them are middle-easterners that are lied to from the owners of the franchise who are also middle-easterners that prey on their own people who are in some cases new to this country. The owners of the shops are left to pick from the bottom of the barrel when it comes to employees. Most... again... not all... of the people who manage those shops cannot find work elsewhere due to their backgrounds or the fact that most cannot pass a drug screening. Both, are not required to work for a franchised Purrfect Auto shop. They are told "All managers are theives and drug addicts. Would you rather have an honest manager... who makes you no profit... or a manager that steals a little from you, but gives you $5000 a week in profit?" Swear on my life, they really do say that in 'class' for the new owners. How do I know?? They wanted me to hold the class when Harry, the 'Operations Director'... stepped down. They had me sit in on many of the orientations, so I knew what to say and how to 'hold' the class. From what I found out, he's always stepping down. When they get buried in lawsuits... he goes away for awhile. Sadly, most of these shops lose thousands every week, causing their new owners to sell within 2 years... some within months. Reseda, Califonia shop was sold 5 times in 1 1/2 years once the new owners found out what it really was like. Again, 80% of the shops owners sell them within 2 years... after going broke. And a few, who will remain un-named are even ripped off during the sale. Purrfect Auto will list their franchise fee on the sale of the store, while the cash portion of the transaction goes into thier pockets. They are told they need to bring 100k cash for escrow... etc.. or that the old owners need to leave the country due to illness and really need the cash under the table. The new owners dont know what they are getting into until they buy in... and then watch as sub-par managers and techs loot them and the public. Sadly... this has gone on for YEARS. So, the general public that take there cars in for service... well.... it's a crap shoot. When the company itself conducts business like that... and the people they staff are sub-par... bad things will happen. I've met too many managers like the one you described at too many shops, and it won't change until that company folds, if ever. Shera Inc. and Francare Inc. make MILLIONS off the owners of these shops. I thought I had found a good job when I joined them... but like many of their own customers, I found not all is what it seems. Thank God, I've moved on... or I might have had to be the one dealing with this complaint... to which there is no excuse or reason. Good Luck out there... and beware of Purrfect Auto. Sorry for the type 'o's... not time to proof read..lol.

Cesar, Who did you rent the vehicle from? Why do you feel it is your responsibility to fix the defective rental car? How old was the vehicle? You never mentioned what year and model it was. Also, how could this Steve character pocket your money? Did you just toss cash on the counter and not get a reciept? It seems like a credit card/debit card or check would have been better. And, in most cases a blown head gasket does not require engine replacement. However, it depends on how long you drove it like that. And, you don't get any rebuilt engine for $800 in a shop, especially installed. The labor alone would cost that much.

Didn't you say this was a rented vehicle? If so, did they authorize you to have these repairs performed? This went on for over a month? On a rented vehicle? What gasket was blown on Monday? You say that on the next Tuesday he told you the head gasket was blown...what did he say it was before? Steve said they had to tow the car to get the engine's number to find a match. They towed the vehicle? Your vehicle? To get the engines number? I seriously don't understand that statement.

The first thing is when dealing with ANY automotive shop make sure that you get several questions answered first. 1) what is their warranty? (if it is not for 12 months/12,000 miles then walk away) 2) Are the technicians ASE certified and have current training certificates to prove it. 3) If you feel like you are being mistreated or lied to, you are most likely right. 4) Do not use chain stores. (they have daily quotas to meet) i.e. Purrfect auto. 5) Get an estimate in writing and expected time/date of completion of work. 6) Do not pay for the repairs if they exceed 20% or $100.00 without prior authorizing from you by phone, fax, or in person. (NRS 597.520) 7) You should always ask for the old parts back, even if you do not know what you are looking at. the only parts you can not have without an additional charge is alternators, starters, and other parts that are remanufactured. In which case you can have them if you want to pay for the core charge. Any automotive shop you may deal with should be respectful of their client's and the vehicles they service. A good honest shop will keep you informed and parts will only ever take 3 days to get in from out of state. You will find that most chain shops will not properly train their employees. that why it is always better to ask a friend or neighbor for a referral to whom they use. And one thing more it is never good to have to use a shop out of desperation always plan ahead and get the simple services done first to gain trust. Do these suggestions and you will have a shop that cares for your vehicle and you. and when you are out of town and break down call your hometown shop to help you find a shop you can give some trust. That is the way I see it and that is what I do.