Shoppers seeking for cars right after auto store shuts down
Prospects say they dropped their automobiles off at a longtime Marietta entire body shop for restore and then, without discover, the business disappeared with their cars.
MARIETTA, Ga. – Car or truck entrepreneurs have reached out to the FOX 5 I-Workforce for aid: They dropped off their cars and trucks and trucks to an auto human body store and now can’t uncover them. Police experiences show shoppers numerous offended and confused customers.
When they drive by the longtime Marietta business enterprise Vehicle Innovations with its blue, yellow, and purple strips, clients now see a freshly painted white constructing. Caleb Burnison just purchased the place on Canton Street. He’s not even open yet, but he’s had a large amount of people.
“So, I’ve had quite a selection of individuals coming by on the lookout for their vehicles,” he reported.
If you go to the Auto Improvements web-site, you see shop operator Shelly Jackson posted that it is “MOVED!”,
“I referred to as a pair of moments. Still left voicemail messages. Failed to get responses,” shopper Tracy Lewis stated.
Lewis stated she dropped off her daughter’s car on Dec. 16 for a fender bender repair service. By mid-January, annoyed, she and her father made a decision to drive by to see what the holdup was.
“I stated ‘Let me transform close to. I must’ve passed it.’ This transpires three situations,” she explained. “Finally, my dad looks at me and claims ‘Do you know in which you took your car?’ I’m sensation a minor embarrassed at this place because I pretty much cannot find the setting up.”
Cobb County police stories convey to the exact tale: Auto Improvements clients looking for their automobiles at a shop they can no for a longer time obtain.
Lewis stated she put in weeks looking for their gold Prius. By mid-February, she noted her missing auto to law enforcement. Jackson of Car Improvements informed law enforcement, “all purchasers gained an email the company was relocating.”
“That is not real,” Lewis mentioned firmly.
The FOX 5 I-Group tried out to communicate to Shelly Jackson. No reply at home, but we did get a reaction from a enterprise email handle.
It claims they are “now Shut for a number of quick times” since they’re shifting. But they are “unable to give the new tackle” or any info about exactly where shopper vehicles are suitable now.”
This body store is no more time listed here. The creating is painted. The mailbox is absent. And so are customers’ autos.
Car Innovations carried the NAPA AutoCare application brand on the entrance of the enterprise. The FOX 5 I-Team achieved out to see if most likely they understood a lot more about the unfolding problem. NAPA Car Sections responded that they do not own the Marietta organization, but Auto Improvements did participate in their AutoCare software. And, in mild of these activities, has terminated the romantic relationship. Beneath is the comprehensive assertion.
“We are investigating the situation involving Car Improvements and getting action to aid their impacted prospects. It is significant to explain that Vehicle Improvements is not owned or operated by NAPA but is an independently owned auto repair store that participated in our AutoCare software. We terminated their association with NAPA on learning of this circumstance. While we are not associated in the organization operations of this store, we understand the frustrations of Car Innovations’ prospects and will do every little thing we can to make issues appropriate.”
Lewis employed an legal professional demanding the return of her automobile. She states it showed up one particular working day in the driveway even now not repaired.
“My auto is literally catty-corner in my driveway. No 1 knocked on the door,” she explained. “The important was in the flower pot.”
Law enforcement notes show some autos are staying stored across the road from the old Automobile Improvements shop on Canton Street and at Automotive Blessings in Kennesaw.
The web site of the previous Car Improvements is undergoing renovation. The new owner wishes to be clear that he is familiar with almost nothing about the earlier owner or the whereabouts of their cars.
“I just sense truly lousy for the prospects who really don’t know where to flip and do not know what to do,” reported Caleb Burnison.
If you are seeking for your car or truck remaining for restore at Vehicle Innovations, contact the Cobb County law enforcement division and file an formal incident report.
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