ORLANDO, Fla. — A Cocoa man is blaming an auto restoration company for charging him $100,000 for a vehicle it never came close to finishing.
The man could not believe the condition of the car he got, which was a family treasure.
Don Smith just sold a 1963 Buick Riviera that was his dad's pride and joy, a car the decorated Air Force veteran was restoring before his death last year. There was no way Smith could finish the job.
“I felt I let my dad down. I got to let it go,” said Smith, who blames Harbor Auto Restoration.
Smith claims the company ran up a $100,000 bill to restore the car but never finished. He said the shop never gave him the written estimates that were required.
“That's when I asked what's it going to take to finish, but he never answered that question," said Smith.
When Smith demanded money back, the shop told him to take the Riviera as is. After spending $100,000, Smith got back a shell with a new engine and other parts packed in the front seat.
“The car that was running when we brought it, is nothing but a shell when we get it back,” said Smith.
Harbor Auto Restoration is owned by Frank Tetro. Action 9's Todd Ulrich asked him how this could happen.
“He showed me bills for $100,000 but claims he never got half the estimates,” said Ulrich.
“Sir, he kept coming in and saying to, "Do. Do. Do,” replied Tetro. “I'll give you all the information you want, but shut the camera off.”
The shop owner said Smith and his dad kept adding more expensive items. Every week they paid the bill, so there was no estimate needed. And he has hundreds of satisfied customers for quality restorations.
Harbor Auto is reconsidering part of the bill but the owner said not because he did anything wrong.
The first estimate for repairs was $65,000. Smith just sold the car as is for $20,000.