Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:19/04/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My car was dropped off by *** in the parking lot of **************************, and keys were left in the wrong mailbox. It was meant to be dropped in the mailbox of ***** **** (next door). To my surprise I learned that my car was taken in by HTA and worked on without any knowledge or consent. When I came to confront the manager (****) he was extremely rude, made excuses as to why I was not contacted, proceeded to still charge for services that I didnt know about or consent to, and told me to call police and that I am wasting his time. No mechanic should be touching a car, nor taking it into their shop to repair without contacting the owner first or telling them the total cost.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/05/2024

  Good evening, this is ********************* from HTA auto repair responding to the complaint done by ***************** , Im a little bit astonished by the audacity *** has,  someone from her knowing towed her car to my property in front of my shop and put the key in my mailbox, which is usual protocol among businesses like mine no information was added and usually in this situation, I will get a phone call within 24 hours by a customer I will proceed within that time to fix the problem of the car,  specifically when it gets towed to my business address and key has been put in my personal business mailbox . The next day after the car had been parked and the keys was left on my property, and I had done the minor jobs that needed to be done. Another garage owner came to business asking me about the car telling me there was a misunderstanding and h*** take the car from here. I informed him that I already fixed the car , engine belt and tension pulley , he tells me ok no problem how much will it be ,

   

  me knowing and understanding misunderstandings happen I told him to forget about the labour and just give me $140 for the parts he happily agrees knowing its an extremely low price and that I wasted my time and he apologizes. He proceeds to send me his own money , Hes also a witness to this. I get a fuming ********************* into my business, screaming and yelling asking me. How dare I touch her car . I tell her excuse me, but your car was parked here on my property for two days . I lost my time ,lost my labour fee to accommodate My Neighbour. You should feel grateful she showed no appreciation stormed off left me a horrible review and kept on going and nagging about the situation at this point I feel like its getting too much to handle and Im wondering if I could get a restraining order for her not to come near my business name anymore . 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/05/2024

  
  Complaint: 21595942
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Good afternoon, this is *****************. My car was towed to 2655 ********* by *** and was instructed to be dropped off at ***** **** (next door). *** brought the vehicle to the correct address, but with many garages next to each other under the same address, they placed the keys in the wrong drop-off box. They acknowledged that they made an error, but they clearly stated that the garage is fully in default for working on a car without the owner's consent. 
  The next morning my father notified me that the car was fixed by HTA without anyones knowledge. The main issue here is the car was worked on without written or verbal authorization which is against the law and ministry regulations. 
  According to the law and safety regulations found on ********** 
  Before a repair shop can charge you, they must have given you a written estimate, unless you declined it and instead agreed on a maximum amount you are willing to pay for the repair.
  Also, under the consumer protection act: 
  56 (1) No repairer shall charge a consumer for any work or repairs unless the repairer first gives the consumer an estimate that meets the prescribed requirements.  2002, c. 30, Sched. A, s. 56 (1).
  No written estimate was given nor any verbal information was given before the repair was done by the shop. 
  As for the $140 for the parts. What needed to be replaced was the serpentine belt. **** according to his own words said he didnt charge for labour. If this is the case, the part needed replacing cost $35 from ****** (see the link below). However he is charging 4 times more for the part. 
  ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************;
  As for the tension pulley, it was not changed and did not need to be changed. The old one still remains. Attached is a picture of the old rusted tension pulley in my car as proof it was not changed. The photo was taken on May 7th, 2024. 
  I am willing to pay the $35 for the one part that needed replacing, however if I am not compensated for the difference **** leaves me no choice but to take him to court and the ministry will be notified. 
  He certainly pocketed all the money, because he never generated an invoice either.
  The principal still stands. The car should not have been touched or repaired before consent was given, and the actions done through HTA are illegal. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************