ORLANDO,Fla. — An Apopka man claims a car wash employee wrecked his car and the company refused to cover the damages.
"The car door was here, it ended up almost here," said Ernie Hill.
He only had his new 2014 Explorer two months when he took it to Images Auto Spa in Altamonte Springs. After the wash, his door was crushed.
"I was in shock. it was a brand-new car and it was just tore up," said Hill.
According to the police report, a car wash employee was driving it when he stopped, got out of it with the door open, left it in reverse, and it rolled, hitting a curb and a tree.
Hill expected the company to cover his repair since its employee wrecked the vehicle.
"But they totally ignored me, wanted nothing to do with me," said Hill.
He had to file with his own insurance, which paid part of the $3,000-plus repair bill.
"What came out of your pocket?" asked Ulrich.
"A $500 deductible and $88 for a rental car," said Hill.
According to Hill, managers did not return his calls or letters for 6six months so he contacted us.
Ulrich took his case to company CEO Jeff Bonynge.
"He called us because nothing was covered," said Ulrich."Is that a fair way to respond to a customer?"
"No, don't assume so. Not a normal practice," said Bonynge.
Later in an email, Bonynge said Images Auto dropped the ball after it had just added that location and would now fully cover Hill's expenses -- a response he could not get for nearly six months.
"They just treated me like nothing, it was so sad," said Hill.
The customer still could face an insurance premium increase, and suffer loss of value when he trades the vehicle.