930 Porsche Turbo, (yes, the real deal). Sudden, big oil leak. Drive it in with smoke pouring from the right rear, more than dangerous. Two days later, short, balding, 50 something, office guy calls to say "Leaking everywhere, will need complete rebuild, $8000". I beg "I think it must be just a connection somewhere since it has never leaked a drop before this sudden deluge of oil". Him "Oh god no, I looked at the engine, nearly every seal is leaking. Can do just the heads for $2000 but that will only fix 30% of the problem".
Something badly amiss, I talked to him two more times by phone. Each time he told me convincingly the same thing: $8000 to fix, $2000 to make it okay to drive, car is too dangerous to drive as is. I almost argued with him over the phone telling him it had to be something simple. He was assured and completely matter of fact. I told him to hold off on the leak but to finish some other minor things. I arrived unannounced coming in the garage door directly to the shop and found the car on the hoist. If I had had a video camera the following would be an instant classic on YouTube. The engine was absolutely bone dry not a drop of oil from any seal or on any surface. HE LIED THREE TIMES TO ME TO THE TUNE OF AN $8000 FRAUD.
A $0.45 radiator clamp on the return hose from the oil cooler had slipped off and the hose was spraying oil on the exhaust manifold. I found the problem in less than 10 seconds it was as obvious and noticeable as finding a door left open.
I put the clamp on myself, had the car taken off the hoist and drove out of there as fast as I could. If I had been a police officer I would have arrested the whole lot of them.
In their defense, the top guy was on vacation at the time. But to attempt to defraud this brashly, blatantly and this persistently has to be systemic.
I have never experienced such an outrageously blatant attempt at fraud . The mind blowing thing is he was risking arrest for fraud with something that was so insanely obvious and "catchable". If I had not gone down there it would have been or so easy to just say "Oh, go ahead" with the recommended "repairs".
Also, in their defense this was the first time they had ever seen me. It is possible they don't defraud their regulars as blatantly.
The car runs perfectly and has never had a drop of oil leak since forgoing their $8000 "must fix".
Pros: Very likable crew, very "experienced" front office
Cons: They give con artists a bad name
Posted 10/04/09
