Return-Path: Received: from robin.warp.cs.cmu.edu by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa06420; 10 Jul 91 14:51:17 EDT Received: from robin.warp.cs.cmu.edu by ROBIN.WARP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa12413; 10 Jul 91 14:50:24 EDT To: bovik@CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Two auto places to stay away from Return-Receipt-To: davide@b.gp.cs.cmu.edu REM: I believe in coyotes, and time as an abstract... Precedence: special-delivery Work-Phone: +1 412 268 8101 Home-Phone: +1 412 661 4656 Reply-To: David.Eckhardt@b.gp.cs.cmu.edu Date: Wed, 10 Jul 91 14:50:16 EDT From: David.Eckhardt@ROBIN.WARP.CS.CMU.EDU There were a lot more negative articles about Lifetime, but this is the most horrifying. ------- Forwarded Message Return-Path: Received: from robin.warp.cs.cmu.edu by B.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id ac06772; 9 Jul 91 18:07:06 EDT Received: from robin.warp.cs.cmu.edu by ROBIN.WARP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa10335; 9 Jul 91 18:06:37 EDT To: davide@b.gp.cs.cmu.edu Subject: stay_away Date: Tue, 09 Jul 91 18:06:36 EDT From: David.Eckhardt@ROBIN.WARP.CS.CMU.EDU 05-Jul-91 18:51 Thomas Patrick Markotan Re: Lifetime Auto Service From: Thomas Patrick Markotan Hi there, I had quite an experience with the guys at Lifetime a few months back, right after purchasing a 1985 Ford Escort. I had them check the car for trouble the day I bought it, and they said it was in great shape. One week later, it died in the Liberty Tunnels after the timing belt snapped. I took it to Lifetime to get it fixed and they charged me $680 to change the oil pump, and the car still didn't run right. This was right after Ed Friend's Sunoco on Baum put in a new camshaft and lifters. But here's the punch: knowing that they had not fixed the engine, and that the oil/ engine light was still on (a sign of trouble in any engine), they disconnected the terminal leading to the oil light. When I brought the car back, instead of fixing it, they turned up the car's idle speed to keep the light from coming on (since the light was triggered by low oil pressure). Not only that, but the first oil pump they installed shattered as I was driving back from a body shop in Etna (approx. 30 miles later). To make a long story short, I was in and out of that shop about 4 times in 2 weeks. I sought legal counsel for a solution to my predicament, but was told I didn't stand much of a chance. The moral: LIFETIME AUTO IS A FRAUD. Sincerely, Thomas P. Markotan - ---------- 06-Jul-91 09:29 David Greene Re: Lifetime and better business bureau From: David Greene It seems like these guys are a menace. I also took my car there for an inspection and also got offered their "just a few quick repairs..." pitch, which I declined. Then he suggest that it wouldn't pass without them, so I told them I'd take it to another garage, then bring it back. So then he decided it could pass without any major effort!?! I wouldn't go there again. I don't know if any of the posters have bothered, but given the volume of complaints, I'm compiling them and sending them to the Better Business Bureau. Does anyone know any other good consumer complaint places to notify? - -David - ---------- 08-Jul-91 17:06 "Douglas S. Brashear" Cons.Warning-RON'S AUTO BODY From: "Douglas S. Brashear" Sorry- this should probably be somewhere else but I figured that more people would see it here.... Several weeks ago I took my 1974 Volkswagen SuperBeetle to Ron's Auto Body in Braddock Hills on Wilkins Ave. to have some front and rear frame work done and to have the car inspected. Ron himself took a look at the car and gave me a verbal estimate of approx. $150 including the inspection; I ended up taking the car to him because it appeared to be the highest quality establishment for the lowest price. Ron also told me that the job would take a few days. Well, after 5 different "supposed to be done on" days and three and a half weeks at this place the car was finally done and inspected. The price was $220 and the guy didnt even touch the front frame holes- apparently it "passed" inspection without the work. Well, 2 days later one of my struts went bad (in a bad, bad way- the cup that holds the spring up rusted away and the whole thing shot down over my brake cable and almost caused a total brake failure). When I told the man at the Midas I took the car to that I just had it inspected, he laughed and advised me not to take the car back there, for it was (or would have been) visually obvious that this was going to happen. Just thought I'd warn the world about this %$#@!&-hole!! - ---------- ------- End of Forwarded Message