Update BAR filing against MM

[long board]

I posted this back in January, what follows after this is an update.

"I am preparing to file against MM legally, and every other possible avenue. I paid around $8,000 and the motor failed with less than 2,000 miles on it. I had another PM tear it apart and there were obvious fraudulent claims and misrepresentations. I don't want to hurt my chances, so that's all I can say for now. However, I will keep this forum, and every other one apprised when appropriate."

Here is the update::
Well I filed with the Bureau of Automotive Repair in Sacramento on Jan 22, 2007. I received a letter on Feb 2, 2007 that my case is transferred to El Monte. The letter stated that “my representative” will contact me when the inquiry is initiated. I didn’t hear anything so I called on April 9th, 2007. After a little phone tag, I spoke with “my representative” today. He had not looked at my file until I called two days ago. He said he would not have been able to look at it for another few weeks.

Here’s the bottom line. The Bureau can do nothing for a complaint about poor quality or incompetence. Nothing. He said there are no rules or laws dealing with incompetence or inferior work product for engine rebuilding or repair. Yes, some for transmissions, air conditioning, and a couple of others, but nothing for engines. Unless I can show that my contract said something or included something that wasn’t done, or wasn’t included, they can do nothing. And, “my rep” said, he doubts if the head office would bother to do anything even if I could prove something, because the state attorneys assigned to the bureau won’t prosecute unless it is an open and shut case. Not just my mechanics word against the defendant. Astonishingly, (after I asked) he said that the bureau wouldn’t proceed against a mechanic who repaired brakes and the people were killed because the brakes failed. That would be entirely a civil matter between the people whose brakes failed and the mechanic. Amazing, simply amazing.

So it is completely up to me to file a lawsuit, and according to various attorneys I spoke with, they seem to think it wouldn’t do any good. Again, unless I can prove fraud or some other legal wrong doing, forget about it. The fact that this engine builder was completely incompetent, or does inferior work, or just plain stupid, doesn’t matter. The fact that this isn’t the first time doesn’t matter.

There are no official fillings against MM because they never get that far. He did say this isn’t the first time, and he did say he’s looking at a couple of other complaints, but he also said they probably won’t go anywhere either, because they can’t prove fraud, only incompetency, and that apparently is not punishable by state rules, regs, or laws.

I don’t know what I’m going to do next, if anything

Just thought you should know . . .

[olstyn]

Unfortunately for the consumer, it's not illegal to be incompetent. In most cases I would think that the people who did the incompetent work would, when shown their error, work to correct it, but we've all heard enough complaints about MM here to safely bet that won't happen in this case. I presume you've complained about this directly to MM and they've told you they don't care?

On some level, sad as it sounds, things like this benefit the community, because one person speaking up about their bad experience reminds everyone else to avoid that situation for themselves. Sorry you had to be the victim this time around, and best of luck to you in your effort to get some recompense for it.

[gumba]

I would file in small claims court. The limit is $5K. If you could show pictures of the parts that were damaged due to poor installation. Have your mechanic either come to court with you, or write a letter verifying the damage was done due to poor work. You should be able to get something back.

[azasadny]

I had a very similar experience when I had my transmission "repaired" by AAMCO in Oceanside, CA back in 1986 when I was stationed at Camp Pendleton. The BAR could do nothing to help and I had to go to Small Claims Court, which was useless because the AAMCO shop filed for bankruptcy.

[Jim Housman]

I've written a complaint letter to PCA about them running an ad in Panorama for MM every month. They seem to favor the ad revenue over their own members.

MM rebuilt a 73 S engine for a friend of mine a couple of years ago. I still have some of the parts that were removed when the engine was rebuilt again within a year. Those guys are crooks and need to be chased out of business!!!

[JTO]

I too let PCA know about my negative experience with MM. I got a reply that my note was received and something like "we'll look into it". I still see the ads in Pano, so I would say that's it. I did my part with PCA and I warn all I know about MM.
Troy

[boyt911sc]

A few weeks ago, a friend and I picked up a '77 911S roller with 49K only. While we were waiting for the documentation at a fast tag office, and we casually asked the PO what happened to the motor and trans. PO said that they were sent to California to be rebuilt (several years ago).

The total cost for the rebuilt kept changing from time to time. PO was so disgusted with the situation that he finally decided to abandon the motor and trans.

So our reaction was, "Was the shop MM?". His reply was, "How did you know?". End of story.

Tony

[BURN-BROS]

You should ask your "Rep" exactly what he does the rest of his time at "work". These government departments like the BAR or Consumer Affairs are really just employment for people who otherwise could not get a real job. In the future if you can, pay with a credit card. They are the only ones that will fight for you. I got the same run-around as you with Consumer Affairs for incompetent work.

[matty74]

I can't believe these guys are allowed to get away with this, if they did this in Australia, Consumer Affairs Dept and Current Affairs shows would put them out of business real quick, just disgusting!!

[euro911sc]

Can you get the BAR to give you the names of the other suits? the more the better.

Does anyone think it possible to create our own negative add for Pano? I would be happy to volunteer the artwork time... Maybe we just need: motormeistersucks.com with a gallery of their finest work...

Or, if we could simply organize our community to get to PCA all at once it might have more of an impact. This onsey-twosey effort goes no where.

Just some thoughts,

Michael

[Jim Housman]

I could privide pictures of pistons, cylinders, camshafts and testimonial on deception regarding mechanical FI pump, crankshaft repair, warranty deception and engine life.

[long board]

If it is within the rules of this forum, I welcome anyone on this forum who has any evidence, or history with MM, to please email me directly with their pictures and or story. I will be happy to reciprocate, and I will update the progress of my complaint via direct return email.

My heartfelt thanks.

[cab83_750]

Man, I really feel sorry for anyone getting garbage product for our hard-earned money and no one seems to be able to shut them down. It is very interesting that a few decades back, I thought Sears was investigated by the government for shop work. Anyway, if I were the victim, I would:

1. Take high quality pictures of the car (possibly with smoke coming out).
2. Record audio of engine noises, misfires, etc.
3. Take high qualify photos of engine leaks, substandard parts, etc.
4. With the hq pics and audio, Post a 'FOR SALE' ad on Ebay, Autotrader, everywhere on the Net.
5. Ask $50,000 for the car and on my ad, write about how special the rebuild was, who made it, how recent the rebuild, how well known the rebuilder was, etc.

Net buyers would probably get 'stunned' by your ad. Getting this rip-off workmanship known on the web would greatly help reduce future victims.