April 5, 2010
Cars Collision Center
Mr. Don Mikrut, CEO
833 West Lincoln Highway, Suite 400 E
Schererville, Indiana 46375
Re: Cars Collision in South Holland
Mr. Mikrut:
On or about February 18, 2009 I, Dr. Fred Nance Jr., brought my car to one of your Centers (The Center) for repairs to my rear bumper. The Center put an “aftermarket” bumper on my car, and I complained about its alignment when it was repaired, and the “large” open space on the rear “drivers” side of the bumper to AAA, then my insurance carrier. The Center put an “aftermarket” bumper on my car, which did not align properly with my car and it left a “big” open gap on the drivers’ rear side of the bumper. I asked AAA to re-inspect my vehicle repairs. On or about February 25, 2009 I received my car from The Center. The total cost for repairs was $1,635.46. AAA re-inspected my car after I received it.
As I waited for the results of the re-inspection and AAA’s decision, on or about August 5, 2009 I complained again to The Center about the bumper they put on my car. On or about August 26, 2009 a representative called me to schedule a date to put a new “OEM” bumper on my car, which was approved by AAA after the re-inspection of the “aftermarket” bumper was put on my car by The Center. On or about September 5, 2009 The Center installed the new “OEM” bumper. On or about September 23, 2009 I called The Center complaining about my bumper continuing to come apart on the drivers’ rear side, looking like it would fall off again. On or about September 28, 2009 The Center put new “clips” on my bumper to hold it up.
On April 5, 2010 I took my car back to The Center informing them that the bumper was coming apart again. As The Center’s representative inspected my car, he noticed I had a scrap on the opposite side of the rear bumper (passenger side). I informed the representative that in late October or early November of 2009 I was parking my car when I scrapped a “high” curb. The representative inferred that the scrapping of the curb may have caused my bumper to be out-of-balance. I told the representative that was absurd because he knew the history of the repair service I had received. I asked for a supervisor to inspect my car.
The Center's Supervisor affirmed the representative’s assessment. The Supervisor told me that he pushed the bumper back in place with his hands. When I looked at the car after the Supervisor “pushed” the bumper back in place, it seemed to be appropriate but still had a noticeable gap in it. I asked the Supervisor to give me a better analysis of the bumper by “professionally” evaluating it in their repair shop. The Supervisor informed me that I would have to pay $55.20 to have it analyzed in their repair shop. I told him this was ridiculous, and that, I would not pay for an inspection of their faulty work. I asked the Supervisor to give me the name and address of the President and CEO so that I could write him about my dilemma.
The Supervisor gave me The Center's General Manager. I asked the Supervisor again for The Centers'President and CEO name and number. The Supervisor told me the General Manager was the President and CEO of The Center.
Another female representative from The Center's corporate office was present during my encounter of April 5, 2010. This representative asked me to explain my issues to her so that she could understand what is going on. I gave this representative a comprehensive statement on the issues I have had with The Center, including my perceived notions of their character and behavior, and treatment of me, an African American consumer. I informed her that I have complained about the “all” white staff at The Center where they serve a majority of “black or people of color” consumers.
I went home and researched The Center. I called the number on their website. I talked to a young lady who gave the CEO’s name and address. Of course, it was different than what the Supervisor gave me.
Therefore, I would appreciate an appropriate assessment of my car by The Center that is unbiased, unprejudiced, and does not cost me. I believe it should not cost me because of the difficulties I have had with The Center's initial work on my vehicle where the rear bumper has consistently been coming apart before I “scrapped” my car in November of 2009. This correspondence has 6 attachments with it, which are April 5, 2010 The Center's “Preliminary Estimate”, The Center's Customer Call Report on the vehicle in question, and 3 photos of the car in question.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred Nance Jr., Ph.D.
Human Services/Social Policy Analysis
cc:
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/
