Open letter to Aaron (Corrected since edit permissions not in effect)
I stopped payment through a legal channel because I am disputing the charges.I only wrote those checks because I was practically under threat to do so and outnumbered by menacing figures. I would describe this misadventure as a swindle that started with Justin’s implanting the expectation that parts prices would be lower than the Bora website because I would save on shipping.I came for a TB and Cam sensor expecting to pay around $600 in total (P/L) (less whatever savings off shipping charges that would never materialize.)Joshua, the VP at Bora Parts had told me days before that Aaron always brings extra timing belts to the GTGs and that I could simply pay at the event. I’m not sure what Aaron needed to hear from me. I signed up for that slot weeks before, was communicative with Justin and Joshua and I showed up early for a TB install, as planned.When Justin told me I needed a cam, I was taken by surprise. I didn’t expect it. The car always ran fine, no indications of cam issues.I asked Justin what the ‘new total’ would be if I went with it and he told me $848.
Hindsight being 20/20, I see now that he only was quoting parts only (for a Deluxe cam kit, shipped), not the actual [P/L] total as I requested to be informed of before, the work was to proceed. Justin new all the facts at the time, so why not relate them in precise terms with the clarity called for in that moment? I called wife and mentioned the new total, only up about $250.00 … not bad. This was a grave error on Justin’s part because I didn’t need to be tricked into anything. I can afford whatever work needs doing. He should have been clear, then and there, He should have pulled out a pad and pen and added up the $848.00 for 1 Deluxe Cam kit + $78.00 for 1 Cam sensor, so on and so forth and then added in the $450 labor to arrive at what the true total was when it needed to be known. On the other hand Aaron could have called me on the phone, isn’t he the parts guy? Why not him there quoting price?
Much has been said about me badgering Justin as regards nuts, bolts and torque settings.The only subject that I was rattled about and expected him to clarify was price, because he let the real price start leaking out after the cam replacement was in progress.For this I get the extreme level of vitriol and hate, really mostly from Frankenfurter and Spring Roll or whatever their names are, who were a bit too close to the job site as well. This is why boundaries need to be defined and things need to be written down upfront; this, the classic case, for that.I am the inexperienced person, only 2 years new to TDI; my first GTG; this whole business approach to auto mechanics is foreign to me. I always take my old parts. Justin seems to like to collect those. Those members with more experience and in the know could have been forthcoming and clear. Instead, I’m given no quarter, with Aaron, you even going so far as to suggest I bring the break in oil. And, where is it written that the revelation of being snookered into a deal for more than was disclosed should not be a cause for stress? You guys bumped this from $600 to $848.00 to $1450.00, while charging shipping rate at a local pickup on a cam kit I didn’t even order, and because I show a little concern I get punished with a lesser job?You want to CHARGE MORE than agreed AND DELIVER LESS? I should have shouting at the top of my lungs.
To top that off, Justin, who you, Aaron, recommended to me, without by or leave jumped into my car and drove off without my presence and without my permission, which has further complicated matters not to mention your friends who also laid hands on my car which was not my understanding of what would be taking place. Now I come to find that there are missing and switched parts and my relatively low mileage Jetta had all OE parts up to now. There is something missing off the undercarriage and there is also what looks to be damage to the chassis from a jack just in front of the dogbone.
Thanks to Justin’s insistence that I change a perfectly good OEM coolant Temp Sensor for one of the Bora Parts Rein units, when it only needed to have the O-ring and retainer changed. Hey it just leaked. There was no dash light or code. So now the car now runs 1 click cold on the street and the coolant hasn‘t level moved, so I don’t think it’s a bubble. Why did Justin have to insist that I change out my perfectly good OEM Coolant temp sensor?The one he gave me back is that even mine. We will see if it works. Maybe it broke, just by coincidence. Turbo diesel site says leave it in if it’s not broken and just fix the leak. Maybe the Guru really needed to sell that $15 sensor. This was unnecessary work.
I am taking the car back to the same dealership I took it too just prior to the GTG for inspection.
The TDI Club forum has some very intelligent people in its ranks, but they, to their credit, have remained silent. Those who have spoken up have suggested that there should be some necessity for consensus on the matter of break in oil because you, Aaron, said so. You also said that a cam break in is a recommended procedure so you and I are already in consensus on that point. It is only you and I that need to agree about that. You sold and I bought on that basis. What road and track thinks is irrelevant at this stage. You cannot promise something and deliver less for the same money. You cannot raise the cost in midstream without raising the value. Since you think you can, we have a dispute.
You made the initial sale, but a job not completed to Bora Parts owns recommended standard is, simply, SUBSTANDARD. You have to take responsibility for not living up to what you promised. You have to adjust for that. I have to adjust for that.
You are going to need to make an adjustment for that and you are going to need to make an adjustment for the sneaky and conniving sales approach which is the true crime here. You come here, crossing state lines, performing unlicensed work, not disclosing up from true costs and then using intimidation, your hot-dogging buddies trickery and limp mode to collect more than the job should cost. I’m not buying that and I never did. There’s more, much more, I could say but I won’t say. Wehaveadispute, so settle the dispute, in real life, in a business life way and not in the forum and refrain from attempting further intimidation and insult.
Recently, you offered me the choice of a replacement OEM N75 or a Pierburg and I told you I want my OEM part back and again you then retracted this choice and changed it, after the fact of agreement. Enough already!
It is clear that you are a rich kid who was handed this business on a platter because it is obvious that you feel entitled to do anything you please, even steal Volkswagen’s trademark “Bora” to name your own business with.You cannot steal from me. You have employed implausible deniability to lure, deceive and intimidate, though your cohorts. Now the feedback comes your way and you don’t like it. So, stand up for and by yourself. Aren’t you a business man?This is just business. It’s not high school and you cannot operate your whole life that way.One thing remains the same constant, then as now.
Economic truth: The milk buys the silver as the silver buys the milk.
You can’t change the price of milk while or after one drinks it. You can’t deliver less milk without receiving less silver in return, that is, unless you cheat. You created the conditions for this dispute and yet you don’t want it! Well either do I. You see, just like that we are approaching an accord…..
As for the rest of you; this is between me and the people I did business with.You are not a party to it and have no business in taking sides. The forum may be public, but the transaction is a private matter, between individuals, thus needs to be settled between parties involved only.
I have exercised a legal instrument and am quite willing to discuss the matter in a grown up business like way. Can you join in that process, Aaron?
If so, we should exchange an email and schedule a conversation by phone. I’m not out to take anything from anyone, but I will not be taken either. Compromise is in order. If we can do that, we can work through this and hopefully, reasonably quickly.
Good day,
Jon
