Complaint Review: Qik Mobile Mechanics; Franklin Early - Los Angeles California

I responded to an ad on Craigslist for auto repair. I spoke with Franklin Earley, who identified himself as owner of Qik Mobile mechanics. Mr. Earley showed up at my house hours later to perform a diagnostic check (I paid 45 dollars for this). He then said I needed an engine overhaul including head gasket repair, in addition to brakes, rotors, transmission gasket, power steering hoses, and valve cover gaskets. He also implied that he could fix my damaged rear left tail lense and damaged front bumper. He said he would get me a quote as soon as he could research to the cost of the parts.

I recieved a quote of 1763.00 for parts and labor for the work previously mentioned. I told him I would get back to him, as I had to get the funds together. He called / text me for the next couple of days asking when he could pick up my car and could start with 700 dollars if i didn't have the full amount. I declined, and waited until I was ready a week later.  He then told me it would take 2 weeks to do the work. I followed him to a residential location ). He said he needed at least 1300 dollars to start because the parts cost that amount. He also asked if I could give him cash this time. I gave him 380 dollars cash for a grand total of 1380.00. He gave me a hand written reciept. He claimed to have problems cashing the money orders and had a check cashing facility to call me for verification.

After that was settled, 1 week into the work he called saying he recieved the wrong parts and would need an additional week. I reluctanly agreed. I stopped to check on my car a coulple of times to find very little change.  During the second week, he called me saying he found issues with my transmission and needed 1100 to 1600 for a rebuild or new one. I then found a transmission for less on my own and could not get a response from him in time to pick it up.He then offered me a rebuild for 750. I again declined. He then said my car would be available on tuesday 4/23/13.

By Monday 4/22..his phone was disconnected. However he called me from a different number on Tuesday, and I went to retrieve my car. I payed the balance of 383.00 as agreed so he would release my car. It could not be driven. I had to call AAA to tow it back to my house. Nothing was repaired. The check engine light was still on, the car still sounded the same, had no power, and my light and bumper remained the same. He said those items were "a favor from a friend that fell through" and was not included in the initial work that we agreed upon. I called him a few days later and with concern and he said he would fix anything that needed to be fixed and provide me the reciepts for my parts. That was a week ago (4/27/13). I took my car to another shop, that verifed that nothing had been done in regards to my engine and that it did not need head gasket repair in the first place.