engine purchase

[military vet]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois

Purchased a replacement engine from a company in Sacramento, California. The promise was a replacement that would be compression and leak checked guaranteed to meet manufacturer specifications. I also ordered a used starter motor. I found a reputable service center and had the engine sent there with the expectations that they would put the engine in. I asked the owner what the charge would be to perform the work. The owner wanted to check my car out first and estimated about 24 to 28 hours labor plus parts. I gave him all my paperwork on the company in California. I was not offered a written estimate. The engine was delivered and the owner signed for the engine before checking it out. It was missing the starter motor. The engine itself was in poor condition with a hole in the oil pan casting. The mechanic and owner did not like this engine and I called the company immediately and had the owner talk to the manager. That conversation did not produce what I wanted which was for the owner to state the condition of the engine.

At this time the owner increased his labor hours to 34 hours and was not sure of that and still did not give me a written estimate. I complained about the escalating charges. With a suspect engine already there and a gasket set ($150) that was sent directly to them already I was getting nervous. Over several weeks I could not get the starter motor nor the engine information. After many emails and telephone calls and broken promises from the engine company I called and the manager agreed to take the engine back and refund my money.

I let the service center know that the engine would be picked up. The owner told me that there were some charges that were incurred when looking at my car and the engine. I was somewhat surprised, but asked how much. He said several hours and I told him I would take care of it. The truck came to pick up the engine and the owner (without notifying me) would not release the engine until I paid the bill (still no paperwork ) and the truck driver was sent back. I called the company and apologized and told them I would get the the service center and call them when this was cleared up. I went to the service center, paid $180, took back my gaskets and called the company and told them the engine can be picked up.

The service center called to tell me that the truck arrived with NO paperwork and therefore nothing happened. I finally called my credit card company and is now being investigated.

Now the service manager wants to charge me storage or will give the engine away. I sent a certified letter asking him to give me at least 30 days notice. He called and left a message today stating that he had received my letter and is charging me storage, bit did not tell me how much.

Sorry for the long complaint... Now, what can I do with the service center and/or company. If they do not pick up the engine then I will have to pay freight again (paid for it in the initial charge of $300). OR?? Does the service center have any responsibilities? I feel that I am behind the proverbial 8 ball.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[BL]

Storage for what ?

The engine or car or both ?

Demand the storage invoice in writing from the service center with the breakdown .

Also and invoice for " looking " things over .

Tell the engine Co. they have to pay storage on the engine , as they didn't bring paperwork to pick it up .

You pay storage on your vehicle .

Wait for the CC Co. to respond and if they won't reverse charges , pay and then sue Both Cos.

 

[military vet]

Thanks for your suggestions. I will answer your questions and will try to clarify other issues.

First, they want to charge me storage for keeping the engine. I am still waiting for my credit card company to notify me of the results of their investigation. So, I am stuck. I have already paid $180 to the service center for looking at my car and the replacement engine. When the engine company sent the truck to pick up the engine the first time the service center refused to release it stating that I owed them money... I was not aware that they would do that and I immediately went over and paid the 180. I asked for a receipt and called the engine company immediately and told them the engine was ready. The engine company manager said it would be picked up immediately. Well after 1 and a half weeks it was still there and when I called again they sent the truck without paperwork (according to the service center). That is when I called the credit card company. It has been about a month now and during that time the service center called and they were either going to charge me storage or sell it to a salvage friend of theirs.

I then sent a registered letter to the service center asking them to give me at least 30 days notice before taking any action. I left my address, telephone number and email address in the letter. Two days later a call from the service center manager stating that he had received the letter and he would be charging me storage (never told me how much).

There are not rates posted in the office and I was still surprised of the lack of paperwork... probably my fault as I should have been more demanding.

I am in the middle of writing a letter to the founder/ceo of the engine company. I will send it with signature confirmation.

 

[military vet]

Still no word from the credit card company and although I have drafted a letter to the founder/CEO of the engine company I don't know if that would escalate the situation in a bad way.

At this point I need to pay the storage charges at the service center. The charge is unknown as he did not tell me over the phone what the storage charge would be, however I am taking the engine out of there ASAP as those charges only eat into what I paid for the engine.

I call this the slow bleed.. and I have to stop it.