Archer Dodge, Houston

In December 2005 or earlier I brought my car to Archer Dodge for an oil change. The next three thousand miles I brought it for another oil change to make sure everything was up to par. While there for an oil change I told them to change my transmission oil and a transmission flush was done. I remembered it was done to a previous car that I owned.

I asked do you think I need a tune up. The service advisor Gene stated that I would not need another tune up for 15,000 more miles. I had a tune up before one of those oil changes for him to make that statement.

After this oil change my car started running bad,jumping as if it wanted to stop, sounding strange when I would drive it.

So my son raised the hood and noticed that the spark plug or something to do with the oil was not snapped where it was supposed to be. So my son only put the cylinder on the hole and told me to go back to the service department and ask them to check and see why that had snapped off.

They checked my car and told me I had over $1,035.80 of service needed. I asked them how could I need new ignition wires, cable package, tube seals, gasket covers, tune up, fuel injection service and a 23 point vehicle inspection.When my car had just left the shop-Mr. Gene stated that Jerry had told me that.Now I need repairs totaling over $500.00 that was checked off in the previous repair.

I do not know if the mechanics are incompetent or what is the problem, but I know as many times as my car has been in their shop for similiar repairs and maintenance that they covered, I should not continuosly have the same problems.The car was idled high when it was given to me in September. But I just figured they knew what they were doing.

I evacuated here because of Hurricane Katrina. In New Orleans I worked for 25 years for LSU Health Science Center. I was forced to retire because of no work in my department. I am now living in Texas, but I have a house note, I am still paying a note on that car, I pay for my medical insurance, and all my other bills, utilities, etc. My retirement check is not enough to cover the expenses that I have already and I am trying my best to find a job.

I took my 2000 Dodge Durango to have a rear-end noise checked out. They deduced that the noise wasn't coming from my rear-end, but the front-end. They claimed that the noise I heard from the rear was my tools which was not so. Based on their evaluation, I basically needed to have my whole front-end replaced including all 4 Upper Bushings, 2 Lower Arm Ball Joints & Rods, and my Rack/Pinion. Along with this, I would have to have a front-end alignment, a power steering flush, & brake flush. Including parts and labor, it amounted to just over $4000. Of course, this totally shocked me because I didn't have any front-end problems that I was aware of. Also, the fact that for the age and miles (94K) of this vehicle, this type of maintenance is very rare according to friends of mine that are ex-mechanics, one of which worked for a Dodge dealership.

I took it to a reputable mechanic in another city where I use to live to have them check it out. They stated other than some small cracks in the bushing (which is normal and no need to replace them), there was not one thing wrong with my front-end!

After calling Dodge, they act like they care, but are not willing to do anything about it. They actually told me to call the dealership to see who there business center was which is group that divisional service centers within Dodge report to.

I did call the dealership and spoke with the server manager. He first asked if the mechanic was Chrysler certified. I stated I had no idea what they were, but they knew enough and were honest enough not to take me to the cleaners like his organization almost did! He proceeded to tell me that his tech was 'Level 4' certified. I responed back telling him that his 'Level 4' tech should've found that the shocks were causing the noise, and that I 'a level nothing' figured that out on my own! Of course he got defensive and I ended the call.

In July of 2000, I purchased a 2001 Innsbruck travel trailer by Gulf Stream Coach. I took that trailer to Kilgore, TX and attended the police academy with my wife. While at the academy, I lived in the trailer at a park just outside of town.

By October, the trailer had fallen apart so badly that it was unsafe to use. I have a photo copy of the 19 defects with the trailer. While trying to obtain warranty work in the local area, I was told that I would have to come up with the cash up front for $45 per hour for labor and then pay for parts. I was also told that it would be up to me to get Gulf Stream Coach to pay me back for what money was spent. I ended up having to take the trailer to Garland to a Morgan dealership where the trailer has, and still is since October. Now yes, Gulf Stream is fixing the trailer, but Archer Dodge never sent in the warranty info that they were supposed to. I have the forms in my possession.

As a matter of fact the warranty info was never even explained when we made the purchase. Morgan in Garland TX also says that the trailer on their computers is not a 2001 trailer, but a 2000 model....not what is on the registration, title, or finance contract wich I have copies of.

I looked up Gulf Stream Coach on the Internet, and found that the 2001 model is a different floor plan than the model that I have. I don't want much, just to have my money back that has been put into this, and to have the trailer taken from my credit.

Since the trailer has been moved the three hour trip to Garland, TX from Kilgore, I have been forced into an apartment for $470 a month payments. Our trailer payments were $230 a month. I've lived in the apartment for four months now, and not once was I even told that I had the right to have a replacement trailer, or compensation for using the apartment. At one point, because I was just out of school, and had no job, I was close to having several loans reposesed. I'm now back on my feet, but not without the help from my loving family, which chipped in a whopping $5000 for support until I have this settled.