Panama Forum

Panama27
Joined 2015
Posts: 4

8 years ago

BEWARE of other expats!

8 years ago

I relocated to Panamá in 2008, and quickly learned that there are some expats in business here that prey on expat newcomers, because newbies tend to automatically trust other expats.
A perfect example of this, happened to our newbie neighbors this week. Our Canadian neighbors, J & J, came to live here, back in July, and bought themselves a used car. Overall, the car was reliable, but there were minor issues with the front suspension because of its age and mileage.
They took the car to the 9 Degrees North auto service place in Gorgona. The company's owner, Mike Kress, said the car needed new front struts (as was expected), as well as new tie rod ends, and he would need to keep the car a few days. He quoted them $300.
J&J told him they would leave the car for two weeks, as they were travelling back to Canada.
When they returned, the car was not ready, and would need a little additional work. It dragged out another five days
I brought J&J to pick the car up, this past Saturday, and the first thing noticed was an additional 100 kms on the odometer.
Then the bill came in at $780! Mike denied that anyone had driven the car, other than a safety check drive after the repairs.
He said the extra charges were for replacement of a broken axle and transmission mount. He would not release the car until the bill was paid in full.
I questioned the hundred km test drive, and Mike told me to "shut the f*** up and get the f*** out of my office."
It turned out that an alignment wasn't done and the car pulled very badly! J&J took the car to a tire and alignment shop and were told that it could not be done, as the wrong parts were used and one of the struts had 6 - 8 washers installed at the mounting point to "make it fit." They took the car back to Nine Degrees North and demanded it be repaired.
It took Mike Kress another two days to deliver the rerepaired car, and it still needed tobbe aligned!
There we no apologies for releasing a dangerous car or for wasting J&J's time, or for the the car being used personally by someone while the car was left in his care, or the anger outburst toward me, and NO REFUND for the overcharge!
The car would not have been drivable with a broken axle or transmission mount, so is it safe to assume that these parts were broken while in his possession, while being used by an employee?
Beware of Mike Kress and Nine Degrees North, and any others Luke him, wherever you may relocate to!

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