- Report: #90189
Complaint Review: Start Mart - Portland Oregon
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Start Mart
6735 SE 82nd Avenue Portland, 97206 Oregon, U.S.A.
Phone:
503-771-2663
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Start Mart & Manager Dewey faulty repair, bait & switch, refusal to honor warranty ripoff Portland Oregon
This is Karen, RIP-OFF REPORTER from Portland, OR spreading the sad tale of my son's quest for an alternator for his 2000 Ford Focus...
While scouring the yellow pages in search of a bargain, he spotted the ad for Start Mart, especially noting the letters in red that stated "Free Installation". He called the Portland store where the woman who answered the phone asked his vehicle model, make and engine type, and quoted a price of $109.95.
When he arrived, he was told by the manager, Dewey, that there was a $7.50 charge for environmental protectants (????) and a $0-$100.00 charge for obstructions. When he asked what sort of obstructions, Dewey told him he was referring to rusty bolts, oily, greasy fittings and other similar items. My son knew the condition of his car was clean and rust free and didn't expect any problems. Although the Ford dealership had quoted the job at 1.3 hours, it took Start Mart 4, and the total for the job was $217.45, almost double the quote (which seems consistent with other rip-off reports).
After he got the car back, my son headed out to pick up his daughter from school and a short way down the road, the battery warning light came on. He went home and disconnected the battery for 60 seconds to re-set, as directed by his vehicle owner's manual, and that seemed to solve the problem. However, the next day, the battery light came on again, the brake lights became "stuck" on and the headlights were pulsing high & low.
He called Start Mart at 9 am that Monday, May 3rd and was told by Dewey that they would fix it but didn't have the part in stock. When asked, Dewey refused to provide the brand name. He called my son back at 11 am and told him that they had located the part and it would be in that evening or the next morning, May 4th. My son called at 9 am the next day (today) and was told that the part still hadn't come in.
Again, at 10 am, the part still hadn't come in but Dewey said it should be in within an hour and that my son should bring the car in and they would get started on it before the part got there. My son asked if someone would be able to certify that no damage had been done to the car's electrical system or computer. When Dewey admitted that no one at their shop was certified, my son asked if the shop would pay to have the car checked at the dealership. Dewey laughed and said no.
My son pointed out that the warranty specifies a refund if parts are not available. Dewey told him to "bring the alternator in and we can give you a refund." My son asked if that would be a full refund. Dewey told him, "we can't refund the INSTALLATION FEE because we've already installed it." FREE INSTALLATION?????? We are still waiting to see if the part is going to "come in". Also, I find it interesting, in reading other rip-off reports, the name Dewey comes up more than once, also the name Rob. More later...
Karen, RIP-OFF REPORTER
Karen
oregon city, Oregon
U.S.A.
While scouring the yellow pages in search of a bargain, he spotted the ad for Start Mart, especially noting the letters in red that stated "Free Installation". He called the Portland store where the woman who answered the phone asked his vehicle model, make and engine type, and quoted a price of $109.95.
When he arrived, he was told by the manager, Dewey, that there was a $7.50 charge for environmental protectants (????) and a $0-$100.00 charge for obstructions. When he asked what sort of obstructions, Dewey told him he was referring to rusty bolts, oily, greasy fittings and other similar items. My son knew the condition of his car was clean and rust free and didn't expect any problems. Although the Ford dealership had quoted the job at 1.3 hours, it took Start Mart 4, and the total for the job was $217.45, almost double the quote (which seems consistent with other rip-off reports).
After he got the car back, my son headed out to pick up his daughter from school and a short way down the road, the battery warning light came on. He went home and disconnected the battery for 60 seconds to re-set, as directed by his vehicle owner's manual, and that seemed to solve the problem. However, the next day, the battery light came on again, the brake lights became "stuck" on and the headlights were pulsing high & low.
He called Start Mart at 9 am that Monday, May 3rd and was told by Dewey that they would fix it but didn't have the part in stock. When asked, Dewey refused to provide the brand name. He called my son back at 11 am and told him that they had located the part and it would be in that evening or the next morning, May 4th. My son called at 9 am the next day (today) and was told that the part still hadn't come in.
Again, at 10 am, the part still hadn't come in but Dewey said it should be in within an hour and that my son should bring the car in and they would get started on it before the part got there. My son asked if someone would be able to certify that no damage had been done to the car's electrical system or computer. When Dewey admitted that no one at their shop was certified, my son asked if the shop would pay to have the car checked at the dealership. Dewey laughed and said no.
My son pointed out that the warranty specifies a refund if parts are not available. Dewey told him to "bring the alternator in and we can give you a refund." My son asked if that would be a full refund. Dewey told him, "we can't refund the INSTALLATION FEE because we've already installed it." FREE INSTALLATION?????? We are still waiting to see if the part is going to "come in". Also, I find it interesting, in reading other rip-off reports, the name Dewey comes up more than once, also the name Rob. More later...
Karen, RIP-OFF REPORTER
Karen
oregon city, Oregon
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Karen
oregon city,Oregon,
U.S.A.
The Truth Revealed! Money Back!!
#2Author of original report
Sat, May 08, 2004
Things are looking up since my last report! We found the wrecking yard where StartMart bought the alternator they put in my son's car--NOT a rebuilt one! That wrecking yard sold TWO alternators to the same customer--one on the day they installed my son's firstalternator and the second on the day they were supposed to replace it. We forked over the money to have a reputable mechanic (Mike at ABE Auto Battery & Electric) remove the StartMart alternator and open it up. Lo and behold! It had never been opened up before. Everything inside was worn and dirty and/or broken! We went ahead and had ABE install a REAL rebuilt alternator (it looked so shiney & pretty next to the StartMart alternator) and the car runs like a dream. We also had them replace a brake light switch broken off at StartMart. Then, I contacted the Auto Parts Rebuilders Association whose logo appears in the StartMart Yellow Pages ad. They were very interested. My son contacted a local television news program and they are interested too. We called Dewey with the new information and he was persuaded to refund the money--ALL of the money! When we went down to the shop to pick up the cash, there were several customers waiting to exchange non-working StartMart alternators and starters, so we filled them in our situation, told them about the other complaints we had found, and passed out several of the RIP-OFF REPORTS so they would have something to read while they were waiting. My advice is DON'T USE STARTMART! and if you already have, be very persistent about getting your car fixed or your money back. Contact the Auto Parts Rebuilders Association if their logo appears in the StartMart ad. Contact your local media, Better Business Bureau and State Attorney General. Your local courthouse can help you file a report with the attorney general's office. If you have stories to share or just need encouragement, post your stories below, don't let these people continue to rip people off!! Thank You RIP-OFF REPORTS! Good Luck All!
