Advanced Imports - My Side Of The Story
07-09-2003, 03:29 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 95
Going to keep this as factual as possible.
Feb 02 – April 03 – Life was great. I dumped too much money in my car, a big portion of it I spent with the Jason Baughman at the RX-7 Store. We are talking 10’s of thousands of dollars during that year. His highest dollar customer that year? Maybe… but certainly one he’d should want to keep around considering I’m making plans to purchase my next project car, as the RX-7 project is about complete.
After having a consistent and annoying leaking oil problem, not resolved with replacing the rear main seal, I decided to break down and have the oil pan gasket replaced, and possibly a new oil pan done.
April 25th – My mini-stereo battery was now a year old and showing signs of dying so I replaced it before I did anything else. Drove my car to the RX-7 store, the weekend of the RX-7 Revolution, I was disappointed I couldn’t attend, but several small problems were plaguing my fuel system. Small problem with the fuel guage not functioning and unable to adjust the FPR to a fuel pressure greater than 28psi. Zavier (RX-7 store mechanic) offered to allow me to leave my car at the RX-7 store while I was gone the next few weeks (on business) so he could replace the oil pan gasket and possibly the entire oil pan.
Zavier was anxious to get his motor swap completed and while looking over his progress, he realized he did not have a belt the proper size for his alternator with underdrive pulley. I told Zavier that if he got his swap completed and he needed to borrow my alternator belt for his trip to Indianapolis, that was ok with me. We discussed that the only thing that needed to be done was the tensioner pulley on the front belt loosened enough to remove the front belt and the tension bolt on the alternator loosened enough to remove the rear alternator and water pump belt.
Week of May 5th – I hear though the grapevine that Zavier did borrow my alternator belt for his trip to Indy. I also discover that he borrowed my alternator as well. Wow, I also hear that my datalogit was borrowed by the shop owner Jason so he could tune his car. Oh, and that my ECU was REMOVED from my car to “test” in another customers car. What does any of this have to do with Zavier borrowing my alternator belt or changing my oil pan? That is what I wanted to know!
I called Zavier to ask him. No real explanation was given other than the ECU was only out of the car for an hour, that he didn’t think I would mind and OH, the car won’t start now, and that that battery was dead!! My new battery dead already? Hrmmm, how could that be? Unless, oh…when the ECU is removed from an RX-7 and the battery disconnected first, the fans will run by them selves…eventually killing your battery if the ECU is out long enough…but certainly not in “an hour”.
Was I upset my alternator was removed without permission? YES
Was I upset my datalogit was removed with out permission? YES
Was I upset my battery was dead? YES
Was I upset my ECU was removed without my permission after spending 2hours trying to get it to fit behind the kick panel along with my Traction Control System? YES
Was I upset my car wouldn’t start? You bet!
What explanation did I get as an irate customer who’s car had just been cannibalized?
“Oh, there must be something wrong with the fuel system I’m told…” but wait, didn’t I drive the car to the shop myself? Yes, I did…
Zavier offered to remove the plugs and look at them for me…ok I agreed, several days later he emails me these pictures. What the hell? Why do the plugs look like that? They surely didn’t look that way when I drove the car to the shop, otherwise the car would have never run. http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/RX7Store/pics/plugs
What happened to those plugs between the time I drove the car to the shop and Zavier pulled them? Nobody seems to know.
Since I figured nothing else could get messed up on the car, and I was out of town, making it difficult to get the car removed from the shop I agreed to let Zavier do the work on the oilpan, and to put new plugs in the car. I very specifically asked that he not try to start it and to not remove anything else from the car unless asking me first.
May 12th – an unexplained $798.00 charge appears on my credit card. I IM’d Jason for an explanation. After two hours of no response (and he wasn’t idle) I sign off. I also asked Zavier in a phone conversion, but he didn’t know. I still have no explanation to this day. Later in an AIM conversation, Jason promises to email me the invoice, I have yet to receive it (June 17, 2003). UPDATE: June 24, 2003 received copy of invoice from Jason, see story continuation below.
May 17th – I receive a call from Zavier. I assume he’s calling to let me know the oil pan is done and my car is ready for me to pick up on the 22nd when I’ll be in town. Nope, he asks me if I am sitting down, so I did, then ask him to continue. “There has been a small accident in the shop involving your car, it’s a small ding in the door and we are going to call to have someone come pop it out. We were working on a motor for another customer and dropped something that hit your door.” I told Zavier not to do ANYTHING to the “ding” and informed Zavier I would have my insurance company come to take pictures ASAP. He volunteer’d to take digital photos of the “ding” and email them to me. He did and these are the pictures. http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/RX7Store/pics/ding/
Wow, that is some “ding”, and I don’t think it’s going to just “pop” out with Mr. Dent Wizard.
The shop offered to cover the repair. Oh, until I informed them that I would be taking it to the body shop that has done all the work on my car and has the exact paint match from painting the front bumper, hood, rear spoiler and sideskirts previously. Achbach Industries is one of the premier auto body shops in Columbus. Now the RX-7 store informs me that they will only cover the damage if it can be covered by their insurance company.
I received the following email a few hours later informing me that the RX-7 store would like me to remove my car from their shop so there is no risk of further damage. I’m also told that they don’t have room inside to keep my car any longer (because of too many other customer cars in for service) and that unless I come pick it up, they will leave it outside. OUTSIDE!!! Are they nuts? Many cars have been broken into in the parking lot outside the shop, enough cars that Jason/Zavier don’t even leave their “beaters” outside the shop over night. Eventually they agree to keep my car inside for 2 more days until I can come get it.
(Mike another local RX-7 enthusiast troubleshoots my car not starting problem as a starter gone bad due to getting soaked in oil, so it on standby with a replacement starter for my car)
May 19th – I’m headed back into town. I call the shop to confirm I’ll be town that evening, landing at the Columbus airport about 9:30pm, I told Zavier I would be to the shop at 10:30pm and and asked if that was ok with him. He said sure, that he will be around, just give him a call and he would meet me at the shop. My flight lands on time, I call Zavier, he tells me he is just then leaving the shop, that he needs to take his son home and that he will leave Mike outside with my car keys. Huh? I have to change my starter out in the parking lot?
I arrive at the RX7 Store to a scene of my filthy dirty car (yeah right, it’s been stored inside!)
http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/RX7Store/pics/dirty/
Mike is sitting in the parking lot which is lit by his RX-7’s headlights and a small shop light, next to a floor jack, a few tools, a new starter and my car…Wow! I DO get to change my starter in the parking lot of the RX7store with a floor jack, and shop light after asking for Zavier to be there (so I could use the lift), and him confirming his availability!
Got the starter changed with the help of Mike & Tony, and drove my car home from the RX7Store shop, one shop I will never return to.
Am I telling you not to do business with the RX-7 store? No
Am I advising you as one of their historically very good customers you may receive treatment you feel isn’t consistent with industry standards? Yes
Am I cautioning you to leave your car at the RX-7 Store unattended? Yes
Above are the facts as I can recall to the best of my knowledge. If/When this gets resolved, I’ll be glad to post the results. Until then, best of luck with your mod’s and happy motoring!
June 23, 2003 - Received the previously mentioned mystery invoice today from Jason, after asking again. Total is for $742. Only items I have a problem with is the Primary and Secondary rail prices. Keith has posted on his site @ http://www.3rdgenrx7.com/keithsrails.htm
“The rails are sold as a set, primary and secondary, for $215 shipped*.
Individual rails are available for the cost including shipping of $80 for
the primary only and $150 for the secondary only”
Hrmmm, The RX7 store charged me $190 for a secondary rail and $90 for a primary rail, guess it pays to shop with them!!! Not!
July 1, 2003 – Was out tuning, 2nd pull of the night and I see the largest ploom of smoke out my rearview window!! I’m like WTF? Take the car out of gear, idle/coast off 270 into a parking lot, my oil pressure light comes on, oil pressure reading 0. I shut the car off, look underneath and oil is pouring out the bottom of the car like I removed the oil plug to change the oil. Jack the car up and the oil plug is GONE! Guess who touched my car last? Remember what my car was at the shop for in the first place, yup, a new oil pan, looks like someone forgot to torque the new oil plug down. ****! Fortunately Rotarded was with me and able to run to the autoparts store, pick up a new drain plug and 5qts of oil.
July 9, 2003 – Have arranged with Jason yesterday afternoon to have my block, UIM, LIM and tools picked up from the shop on Thursday. Tonight he tells me
RX7forum (11:52:37 PM): Guess what. I cant seem to find your tools.
kbaconFNSI (11:54:13 PM): bummer
RX7forum (11:54:21 PM): Or the motor. Thats strange I could have sworn they were around here.
Wow, could he try any harder to shove it up my @$$? Now he is just being spiteful because I’ve told a few people how bad he’s screwed me over..
Several AIM conversations I had with Jason filling in some details on the above story are available here:
http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/RX7Store/
--------------------
Its only a freaking car... You act like I killed your mom. - Advanced Imports Shop Owner
Feb 02 – April 03 – Life was great. I dumped too much money in my car, a big portion of it I spent with the Jason Baughman at the RX-7 Store. We are talking 10’s of thousands of dollars during that year. His highest dollar customer that year? Maybe… but certainly one he’d should want to keep around considering I’m making plans to purchase my next project car, as the RX-7 project is about complete.
After having a consistent and annoying leaking oil problem, not resolved with replacing the rear main seal, I decided to break down and have the oil pan gasket replaced, and possibly a new oil pan done.
April 25th – My mini-stereo battery was now a year old and showing signs of dying so I replaced it before I did anything else. Drove my car to the RX-7 store, the weekend of the RX-7 Revolution, I was disappointed I couldn’t attend, but several small problems were plaguing my fuel system. Small problem with the fuel guage not functioning and unable to adjust the FPR to a fuel pressure greater than 28psi. Zavier (RX-7 store mechanic) offered to allow me to leave my car at the RX-7 store while I was gone the next few weeks (on business) so he could replace the oil pan gasket and possibly the entire oil pan.
Zavier was anxious to get his motor swap completed and while looking over his progress, he realized he did not have a belt the proper size for his alternator with underdrive pulley. I told Zavier that if he got his swap completed and he needed to borrow my alternator belt for his trip to Indianapolis, that was ok with me. We discussed that the only thing that needed to be done was the tensioner pulley on the front belt loosened enough to remove the front belt and the tension bolt on the alternator loosened enough to remove the rear alternator and water pump belt.
Week of May 5th – I hear though the grapevine that Zavier did borrow my alternator belt for his trip to Indy. I also discover that he borrowed my alternator as well. Wow, I also hear that my datalogit was borrowed by the shop owner Jason so he could tune his car. Oh, and that my ECU was REMOVED from my car to “test” in another customers car. What does any of this have to do with Zavier borrowing my alternator belt or changing my oil pan? That is what I wanted to know!
I called Zavier to ask him. No real explanation was given other than the ECU was only out of the car for an hour, that he didn’t think I would mind and OH, the car won’t start now, and that that battery was dead!! My new battery dead already? Hrmmm, how could that be? Unless, oh…when the ECU is removed from an RX-7 and the battery disconnected first, the fans will run by them selves…eventually killing your battery if the ECU is out long enough…but certainly not in “an hour”.
Was I upset my alternator was removed without permission? YES
Was I upset my datalogit was removed with out permission? YES
Was I upset my battery was dead? YES
Was I upset my ECU was removed without my permission after spending 2hours trying to get it to fit behind the kick panel along with my Traction Control System? YES
Was I upset my car wouldn’t start? You bet!
What explanation did I get as an irate customer who’s car had just been cannibalized?
“Oh, there must be something wrong with the fuel system I’m told…” but wait, didn’t I drive the car to the shop myself? Yes, I did…
Zavier offered to remove the plugs and look at them for me…ok I agreed, several days later he emails me these pictures. What the hell? Why do the plugs look like that? They surely didn’t look that way when I drove the car to the shop, otherwise the car would have never run. http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/RX7Store/pics/plugs
What happened to those plugs between the time I drove the car to the shop and Zavier pulled them? Nobody seems to know.
Since I figured nothing else could get messed up on the car, and I was out of town, making it difficult to get the car removed from the shop I agreed to let Zavier do the work on the oilpan, and to put new plugs in the car. I very specifically asked that he not try to start it and to not remove anything else from the car unless asking me first.
May 12th – an unexplained $798.00 charge appears on my credit card. I IM’d Jason for an explanation. After two hours of no response (and he wasn’t idle) I sign off. I also asked Zavier in a phone conversion, but he didn’t know. I still have no explanation to this day. Later in an AIM conversation, Jason promises to email me the invoice, I have yet to receive it (June 17, 2003). UPDATE: June 24, 2003 received copy of invoice from Jason, see story continuation below.
May 17th – I receive a call from Zavier. I assume he’s calling to let me know the oil pan is done and my car is ready for me to pick up on the 22nd when I’ll be in town. Nope, he asks me if I am sitting down, so I did, then ask him to continue. “There has been a small accident in the shop involving your car, it’s a small ding in the door and we are going to call to have someone come pop it out. We were working on a motor for another customer and dropped something that hit your door.” I told Zavier not to do ANYTHING to the “ding” and informed Zavier I would have my insurance company come to take pictures ASAP. He volunteer’d to take digital photos of the “ding” and email them to me. He did and these are the pictures. http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/RX7Store/pics/ding/
Wow, that is some “ding”, and I don’t think it’s going to just “pop” out with Mr. Dent Wizard.
The shop offered to cover the repair. Oh, until I informed them that I would be taking it to the body shop that has done all the work on my car and has the exact paint match from painting the front bumper, hood, rear spoiler and sideskirts previously. Achbach Industries is one of the premier auto body shops in Columbus. Now the RX-7 store informs me that they will only cover the damage if it can be covered by their insurance company.
I received the following email a few hours later informing me that the RX-7 store would like me to remove my car from their shop so there is no risk of further damage. I’m also told that they don’t have room inside to keep my car any longer (because of too many other customer cars in for service) and that unless I come pick it up, they will leave it outside. OUTSIDE!!! Are they nuts? Many cars have been broken into in the parking lot outside the shop, enough cars that Jason/Zavier don’t even leave their “beaters” outside the shop over night. Eventually they agree to keep my car inside for 2 more days until I can come get it.
(Mike another local RX-7 enthusiast troubleshoots my car not starting problem as a starter gone bad due to getting soaked in oil, so it on standby with a replacement starter for my car)
May 19th – I’m headed back into town. I call the shop to confirm I’ll be town that evening, landing at the Columbus airport about 9:30pm, I told Zavier I would be to the shop at 10:30pm and and asked if that was ok with him. He said sure, that he will be around, just give him a call and he would meet me at the shop. My flight lands on time, I call Zavier, he tells me he is just then leaving the shop, that he needs to take his son home and that he will leave Mike outside with my car keys. Huh? I have to change my starter out in the parking lot?
I arrive at the RX7 Store to a scene of my filthy dirty car (yeah right, it’s been stored inside!)
http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/RX7Store/pics/dirty/
Mike is sitting in the parking lot which is lit by his RX-7’s headlights and a small shop light, next to a floor jack, a few tools, a new starter and my car…Wow! I DO get to change my starter in the parking lot of the RX7store with a floor jack, and shop light after asking for Zavier to be there (so I could use the lift), and him confirming his availability!
Got the starter changed with the help of Mike & Tony, and drove my car home from the RX7Store shop, one shop I will never return to.
Am I telling you not to do business with the RX-7 store? No
Am I advising you as one of their historically very good customers you may receive treatment you feel isn’t consistent with industry standards? Yes
Am I cautioning you to leave your car at the RX-7 Store unattended? Yes
Above are the facts as I can recall to the best of my knowledge. If/When this gets resolved, I’ll be glad to post the results. Until then, best of luck with your mod’s and happy motoring!
June 23, 2003 - Received the previously mentioned mystery invoice today from Jason, after asking again. Total is for $742. Only items I have a problem with is the Primary and Secondary rail prices. Keith has posted on his site @ http://www.3rdgenrx7.com/keithsrails.htm
“The rails are sold as a set, primary and secondary, for $215 shipped*.
Individual rails are available for the cost including shipping of $80 for
the primary only and $150 for the secondary only”
Hrmmm, The RX7 store charged me $190 for a secondary rail and $90 for a primary rail, guess it pays to shop with them!!! Not!
July 1, 2003 – Was out tuning, 2nd pull of the night and I see the largest ploom of smoke out my rearview window!! I’m like WTF? Take the car out of gear, idle/coast off 270 into a parking lot, my oil pressure light comes on, oil pressure reading 0. I shut the car off, look underneath and oil is pouring out the bottom of the car like I removed the oil plug to change the oil. Jack the car up and the oil plug is GONE! Guess who touched my car last? Remember what my car was at the shop for in the first place, yup, a new oil pan, looks like someone forgot to torque the new oil plug down. ****! Fortunately Rotarded was with me and able to run to the autoparts store, pick up a new drain plug and 5qts of oil.
July 9, 2003 – Have arranged with Jason yesterday afternoon to have my block, UIM, LIM and tools picked up from the shop on Thursday. Tonight he tells me
RX7forum (11:52:37 PM): Guess what. I cant seem to find your tools.
kbaconFNSI (11:54:13 PM): bummer
RX7forum (11:54:21 PM): Or the motor. Thats strange I could have sworn they were around here.
Wow, could he try any harder to shove it up my @$$? Now he is just being spiteful because I’ve told a few people how bad he’s screwed me over..
Several AIM conversations I had with Jason filling in some details on the above story are available here:
http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/RX7Store/
--------------------
Its only a freaking car... You act like I killed your mom. - Advanced Imports Shop Owner
