CSE Automotive PA 19075

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Lily Begbie

I dropped my 1970 VW Beetle (“LilyBug”) off at CSE in September with one clear instruction: diagnose the electrical short and get the car running. That was it. I did not ask for a full restoration list or a complete vehicle evaluation. Within two weeks, I was billed $1,000. Part of that charge was for a full diagnostic report listing everything wrong with the car — something I never requested. It’s a 50-year-old vehicle; of course it needs things. My only goal was to get it running safely. For context, this Beetle has brand-new wiring installed over the past two years. It’s not perfect, but it was running before the wiper motor seized and caused some wires to burn. Since I’m a hobbyist and not an electrician, I brought it to CSE for professional help. From the beginning, communication was poor. Every time I called for updates, Jim (the manager) told me my car was “a problem” without offering real solutions or a clear plan to get it started. It seemed like he didn’t know where to begin. I provided new parts, which were later handed back to me and labeled as “bad” or “broken.” One of the few tasks completed was replacing the fuel filter. However, when I started the car to test it, fuel poured out of the filter — an extremely dangerous situation. Another mechanic, Andy, had to fix Jim’s mistake, and Andy was not paid for correcting it. Jim also insisted the entire car needed to be rewired, claiming all connections were faulty. That is simply not true, as the car already has new wiring. It felt like an unnecessary upsell rather than a solution. During the process, Jim broke my headlight switch out of the dash while trying to remove it. I believed he was only removing the knob, but he damaged the mechanism. He offered no help sourcing a replacement other than telling me to order and pay for it myself. He insisted the switch would no longer work — but after I pushed him to reinstall it and try starting the engine, LilyBug started immediately. After three months of delays, mounting bills (totaling $1,200), and no resolution, I showed up and demanded the car be started. It ran. At that point, I took my car home. At another garage, I learned that wiring had been left unsecured, allowing live wires to move freely inside the trunk near the gas tank — a serious fire hazard. Additionally, brake lights and headlights that previously worked now do not, due to incorrect wiring and the damaged headlight switch. In three months, CSE adjusted the brakes and replaced a fuel filter — incorrectly. Everything else on the invoice is either misrepresented or was done improperly and dangerously. I have since paid another shop to correct their work. Jim has refused any refund or apology. I have repeatedly asked for the owner to contact me to discuss resolution, and no one has returned my calls. I strongly advise against bringing your vehicle here. The lack of professionalism, accountability, and safe workmanship is alarming. Wiring, brakes, and lighting are critical safety systems. Mistakes in those areas put lives at risk. I am pursuing legal action. This experience has taken much of the joy out of owning my classic Beetle

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John Dixon

Jim & Andy really know their trade!! Very dependable and know vw's. Here's a good one: the Autobody Paint Shop that painted my car had to cut the 4 lock nuts off the wheels because they lost my key that fit the wheel locks. Andy found the lug nuts in the shop that fit so now I've got 5 nuts on each wheel. Thx guys, you're awesome!! C u next time! So take care. I'm thinking bout you Andy in your time of sorrow.

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Christopher Kauffman

They shattered my GPS screen and it was perfectly fine when I dropped it off. I emailed CSE about it and they did nothing. They just asked the team about it and no one fessed up. They didn't compensate for it or even offer a free service to fix it. Terrible business and employees. They also suck at communicating. I had to reachout to them about my car's status and if it was ready to pick up. Also they don't ask your permission sometimes to fixs small things so i had to pay $50 to change a $2 bulb.