PANOS AUTOMOTIVE

• engine work, AC replaced, brakes, etc.

It has been a crazy rollercoaster ride and we're still on the rollercoaster!   On May 21, 2013, the receipt stated that Joe Coplin worked on "electrical repair - no power to compressor - shorted wire in right kick panel."   After we paid the bill and attempted to drive out of the parking lot, we heard a very loud screeching noise.   Owner Johnny Panos told us to return to the bay and they would fix the problem.   He also gave us back our check.    We returned to pick up the car on May 23, 2013, as we were told it was ready.   Receipt stated that Joe Coplin had worked on it again and had the same notations as above, plus "replace compressor and replace fan motor."   We paid the bill,  drove it home and parked it in the driveway.   Our housesitter, Jennifer, was authorized to use it while we were away on vacation.   On May 30, 2013,  (the first time she drove it), Jennifer called us and said that our car had started smoking and burnt up.   We called our insurance company from FL and filed a claim.   We returned home on June 8, 2013.   After a $1,000 deductible, our insurance company paid us $1,735.   This was not enough money, since we had paid $4,000 in repairs over the past year to make the Corolla ready for our daughter to drive to and from high school.   After this, we contacted Panos' insurance company, and filed a claim with them.   On July 11, 2013, we received a letter from his insurance company stating that they denied our claim (i.e., would not pay us anything).
      We went over to Panos Automotive on August 2, 2013 (Johnny had been on vacation).   Johnny Panos admitted responsibility for burning up our car and offered us a $1,000 check and the purchase of one of his used vehicles at a reduced rate to make up the $1,265 deficit from the money we had put into the Toyota Corolla.   Johnny wanted me to sign a receipt for the $1,000 check, and I did.   He showed us 2 cars; we liked the 2002 Chrysler Sebring.   He said it was worth $4,500, but that he would sell it to us for $3,000, which would cover the deficit.   We told Johnny we would think about it and get back to him within a week.   Upon parting, Johnny and I shook hands on the deal; he said he could get it fixed in a week with no problem (needed new engine).   He also told my wife "Now don't you fret!"   After doublechecking the figures we called him and asked him to get started on the Sebring.  He said it would be about a week before he could get started on it.   We deposited his check and called him several times in August and September.   One of the times he said one of his mechanics was sick and another had quit.   Another time:  "Are you serious about this?," I asked Johnny.   "Oh yes, I'm serious about selling cars," he replied.   When I asked him to name a date, he said he could definitely have it done the Thursday or Friday after Labor Day.   On September 9, 2013, my last conversation with Johnny, he said he didn't know if he'll ever get to it.
      I told him I was going to contact the Better Business Bureau.   So I filed a complaint, as he was not motivated to do what he promised us.    They gave him about a month to respond; after 2 notices, NO RESPONSE.   On October 15, 2013, he received an F rating from the Better Business Bureau.
      I find Johnny Panos to be a liar and a cheater, one of the best con men I've ever met.   He will tell you what you want to hear to your face, and then say he never said it when it's convenient for him.   It's no wonder why society is getting to be more and more anti-business when the public has to deal with people like him.   We are quite disgusted with the way he has treated us.  

I would defiantly use them again in the future.

As stated above, my trip to Panos was a result of a botched "fix" from Gray's Automotive in Trussville and a week without my car. From the moment I walked in to Panos, I could tell they were different. Very professional, very pleasant. The people working the counter were "on the ball". I briefly explained to the gentleman that I had already phoned and advised about what was wrong with my car. He knew who I was based on that and had already begun the paperwork with the information provided from the phone call. I left my keys (it was after 5:00) and they said they would give me a call when they knew something. The next morning at roughly 9:30 a.m. they phoned and my husband got the call. They asked him several questions, the first one being, "Has anyone else been working on this car?" After several back and forth questions and answers, he stated he was a certified electrician, and he could tell someone else had "tried" to do something with the wiring but they had shorted out "almost everything". He stated it appeared they had tried to re-route the wiring to make the windows work. He told my husband that having this background information would help him undertand where things went wrong. He ultimately called back at around 2:00 or 3:00 that afternoon and said my car was ready. When I got there, I walked in the office, and he came in to meet me and explain exactly what had happened and what he did to fix it. The price was around what he quoted with the exception of the battery I didn't expect to have to replace due to the short. I would absolutely go back there for any other need I may have!