Business ProfileforLittle Germany, Inc.

I took my car to a Little Germany for repairs. At the time the car ran well but had a slight misfire. The manager gave me an estimate for services at that time of $1900.00 which I signed with an assurance that they could do the repairs. Repairs were done and the shop advised I could come and pick it up and that the vehicle was running really well. The vehicle stalled less than 3 miles later and had to be towed back into the shop. When the manager took it back the second time he verbally advised that more parts would probably be need but didn't specify what those parts were or how much they would be and I was never given an actual estimate for further work and never signed anything because I never got a price or details about parts or the cost of them. When a friend/advocate, went to ask the manager more questions about what was already done and and what parts had been purchased he could not find the information on the screen. He at that time told my friend that the original person that had worked on it so far had quit was not come back, therefore he didn't know what had been done or how much time had been spent on the labor. The manager advised at that time that he was still looking at it and would let me know. I did not sign another estimate at that time or agree to cost of parts or anything and have not seen anything in writing. During the 8 weeks that the vehicle was in Little Germany's possession I drove by numerous times and the car was in the parking lot, not in the shop. And each time I asked him what was going on with the veh or why he wasnt finishing the repairs he advised there wasnt enough time in the day. He could not at any time give me a time frame for repair. The only significant thing that he mentioned was that a leakdown test had been performed and that the engine seemed to be in good working order as far as the level of the engine's performance but he was still baffled as to what the issue was. After the 8 weeks, because it was my only vehicle I advised the manager that I wanted to get another diagnostic by another repair shop. During this time I had to take daily Lyft services to be able to fulfill obligations and was never at any time offered a loaner vehicle to assist me. I felt uncomfortable calling the shop for updates at that point because the manager seemed to be frustrated and unable to give me any clear answers. He wasn't returning calls before the shop closed and leaving large gaps between updates. I felt that the original diagnostic was never done or that there was a misdiagnostic performed because there had not been a diagnostic charge on the original bill. After 8 weeks I asked the manager to put the vehicle back together so that I could have it towed to another shop. That is all I asked him to do. He put the car back together so that I could take it to another shop to get another opinion. I advised that I felt they'd had over 50 days to get a determination and still had no idea what the issue was and that it was in mine and the shops best interest to get another opinion. I advised that I would go the shop and have the veh towed to another shop.When the veh was put back together the manager test drove the vehicle at which time he seized the engine.I did not ask the manager to test drive the car, just put it back together. The manager called me and advised that the only way to fix the vehicle going forward was to replace the engine. The vehicle is now inoperable and I am unable to take it elsewhere for another opinion. The shop is advising that I have an additional bill for services that I was not advised of before hand and now am expected to pay. When the shop took the car back the second time the manager said there may be more parts needed and he would let me know with an estimate. He did not at that time or since given me any details about what was done or purchased since January 20th, he just kept saying that they were still looking at the vehicle and couldnt figure out what was wrong. The shop manager advised that at this time the only option that I have is to replace that engine which is very costly. I attempted to resolve this issue by agreeing to purchase the engine out of pocket and have Little Germany replace the seized engine. I asked if they would put the money that I have already paid into the cost of the repair that did not repair the vehicle (1900.00) towards the labor charge (2850.00) to put the engine in as well as not charge me for service that were not detailed or specified, or agreed after January 11 when they received the vehicle for the second time after the vehicle stalled on the road and had to be returned. I have only one invoice from the work I agreed to on January 4 and though I have requested that the manager disclose what parts and what they've specifically done he has avoided that after asking for the information numerous times. I am a senior citizen and the last two months have been very stressful for me with my only vehicle. I have had to Uber/Lyft and use the bus service to be able to go about my daily needs.