Car owner calls police in standoff with auto workshop over $3,706 to get his Toyota Estima back
The situation got so bad that he called the police.
A car owner claimed he was pressured by an auto workshop into paying an "exorbitant amount" after being involved in an accident.
Stomper Patrick said his Toyota Estima had been damaged in a chain collision on the Pan-Island Expressway on May 31.
"I called my regular workshop guy, Andrew, to check what I should do as it was my first such accident. He mentioned he would ask his friend from another auto workshop to help me," recounted the Stomper.
His vehicle was towed to the workshop at Sin Ming Drive.
"After some documentation, they said they would let me drive their vehicle home," said the Stomper.
"I told them I needed to make some inquiries before I could decide to engage them to do the claim and repair my car."
On June 2, the Stomper got a call and was informed that he had one hour to decide.
"After one hour, even if I decided to let them do it, the workshop was not interested. That was what Andrew told me. I didn't have a chance to verify it," said the Stomper.
"Upon hearing what he said, I decided not to let the workshop proceed as it sounded so threatening to me."
The Stomper called the workshop about his decision and it was agreed that he would return the workshop's car the next day.
That was when he had the shock of his life.
"To my astonishment, they billed me $3,706," said the Stomper.
The charges were:
- Vehicle rental: $1,200
- Towing: $200
- Documentation $800
- Repair and spraypaint for rental vehicle $1,200
- Good and services tax: $306
"The office claimed that I had damaged the rental car. I called the police and asked the workshop staff member and Andrew to check for any obvious scratches or damage. Nobody could detect any," said the Stomper.
"The workshop told me to either leave my vehicle for them to do and claim, or pay them the $3,706 immediately.
"Otherwise, they will continue to charge me storage if I was 'leaving' my car on their premises. It's a few hundred dollars per day.
"The police said they couldn't help me retrieve my car."
The Stomper felt he had no choice but to let the workshop repair his car.
"I thought that would be the end, but unfortunately not," said the car owner.
"After collecting my car, I discovered a few issues. One was the headlights had water vapour inside when it rains. I gave feedback to them, but they only repaired the headlights. The rest they claimed was wear and tear. Before the accident, I didn't have those issues.
"I was also asked to sign an 'empty' discharge voucher. I asked the workshop for my vehicle's repair breakdown. The staff member said he would send it to me via email.
"As of now, I haven't received it even after I WhatsApped them to ask again. They refused to provide the repair list and warranty."
The Stomper is sharing his experience to warn other motorists.
"In my case, I was involved in an accident and subsequently pressured into allowing this company to handle my insurance claim," said the Stomper.
"When I declined, I was informed that I would have to pay them an exorbitant amount - far above market rates - without having been clearly informed of these costs upfront.
"I am concerned that such practices may not only be unethical but also misleading to consumers. I believe it is important to warn the public and deter others from falling into a similar situation."
Stomp has contacted the workshop for more info.
