ComplaintsforBud's Machine & Engine Shop

• Initial Complaint

  10/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had a **** 390 engine rebuilt by them in 2020. I dropped it off on 4-9-2020 I got it back on 6-16-2020. I took it home and put it in my truck correctly and drove it for 10 miles and it blew up. I called him back asking if he could help. He said he would because it was under warranty (***** miles or 90 days), just not yet and he said to call back later. So we did and he said he had health problems and couldn't do it right now, we called back almost every week for an update, but it was reason or excuse after reason or excuse, he was sick, his wife was sick, his workers were sick or quit, etc. This went on well after "90 days". So we had to stop because of the pandemic, having children and moving to a new home. Finally we had time to fix it. We took it to another shop we discovered that was closer to us because we needed it done. He got it done and told me the specific problem, that it was undeniably Buds fault by building it wrong. So now that the truck is finally running I've been trying to get him to make good on his warranty and word. I called him a week ago and he said he needed to check his records, so I waited. Then I called him back today 10-17-22 he asked what he could do to make it right and I said compensate for the damages, meaning we spent exactly $3,415.14 to have him rebuild the engine, then as mentioned before, took it to T&Js in ****** to have it fixed costing $1,156.91 not including gas to drive back and forth (we don't want gas compensation). He said he wished we came in but we couldn't keep driving from Forks and he said if he couldn't fix it he'd have another shop do it for him and T&Js knows him. He also said that's not how the warranty works until I explained to him it blew up after 10 miles. He then said something was going on in his shop and he hung up before I could say another word. Other people on ****** reviews have had nearly the exact same experience. I thought it was just trolls or something until it happened to me. Please help!

  Business response

  11/01/2022

  See attached response

  Customer response

  11/01/2022

   
  Complaint: 18236483
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I have legitimate rebuttal for all of Bud's points.

  First, I was informed of the 90 day or ***** miles on the warranty. He did not inform me nor provide paperwork explaining that it had to be installed by a professional mechanic. He had every chance to if this was so including that time I called him but he didn't. He even gave me specific instructions on the start up procedure which was performed the second time and it runs. This is bad business practice to begin with because many of his type of customer are DIYrs. This is also irrelevant because after it was fixed I put it back in myself again the same way and it runs.

   

  Second, I did install the second cam myself, After he said he would help me and didn't, so I left it out because it would take up space on the sheet and it was irrelevant. Also I ordered the same cam he used on the paperwork he gave me, not that thats relevant.

   

  Third, similarly to the second, I didn't think it was relevant because it was fixed and running now. I can have *** of T&Js back me up on this, I also have txt messages between us. He said that the valves where too tall making them put to much pressure on the cam. He can probably be more specific but I have a screen shot of the conversation. 

   

  Forth, we could drive out right after we got it. I explained why we couldn't later. It should be obvious why we couldn't keep doing this if he seemed unwilling to help.

   

  I appreciate the apology, really I do. But it simply isn't good enough. We spent too much money and had too much financial stress over this. I really hope we can come to an understanding.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  12/13/2022

  See attached response

  Customer response

  12/13/2022

   
  Complaint: 18236483
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I've already explained that I started it within the 90 days. I have no proof of our conversation but it doesn't say anything on any of the paperwork we were given to have a professional install the engine. What exacerbates the problem is that *** gave me verbal instructions about how to break in the engine, not that I needed it.

   

  Most mechanics learn on the job I essentially have the same experience. Proof of this is that I installed the engine myself the second time and it worked just fine. And the other machinist pointed out the problem as explained.

   

  Realy I'm not asking for much, just compensation for the damages. Not for gas or my own labor let alone a full refund. Many others have had a similar problem before the pandemic according to the ****** reviews, and experience doesn't refute dishonesty or incompetence. I want to believe it was a simple mistake but like I said others had the same or similar problem.

   

  *** said he would help anyway as I explained many times and it was between the 90 days. Please help, I only ask for damage compensation.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

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