Zaino Power Plus
06-19-2012, 06:54 PM
#1
Zaino Power Plus
Just putting this out for the Corvette family:
My 2008 C-6 Corvette was in a crash last fall at the racetrack therefore there was no insurance involved. Though I was skeptical about having it repaired, Tom Zaino, who owns Power Plus Auto in Staten Island convinced me that he could do the repairs and even had all the parts needed in his possession. As I soon found out, that was an outright lie. My car was in his shop for 3-1/2 months and no parts ever materialized, only excuses. Yet he took three cash payments from me in the amount of $10,000 within 2 weeks. In my opinion, he lied about the parts just to get the keys and my commitment to do the job. Once the vehicle was dismantled (in spite of me asking him not to do so until he had the parts) he threatened me that my car would sit idle in his shop unless I gave him more money. That was not part of the contract. Since no progress was ever made after all this time, I had no choice but to have the car towed from his shop. I am fighting to get my money back. He even sold one of my rims which was worth $1,100 without consulting with me. My advice to anyone considering this shop is to go somewhere else. This guy will schmooze you to death with one lie after another. I truly believe that he never intended to repair my vehicle. So don't fall for his nice guy persona. I have never done anything like this before but felt so strongly about the unethical dealings of Tom Zaino that I wanted to warn others of his lies and trickery, especially the Corvette family. He was referred to me by a personal friend, so I let my guard down a bit and never expected this to happen.
My 2008 C-6 Corvette was in a crash last fall at the racetrack therefore there was no insurance involved. Though I was skeptical about having it repaired, Tom Zaino, who owns Power Plus Auto in Staten Island convinced me that he could do the repairs and even had all the parts needed in his possession. As I soon found out, that was an outright lie. My car was in his shop for 3-1/2 months and no parts ever materialized, only excuses. Yet he took three cash payments from me in the amount of $10,000 within 2 weeks. In my opinion, he lied about the parts just to get the keys and my commitment to do the job. Once the vehicle was dismantled (in spite of me asking him not to do so until he had the parts) he threatened me that my car would sit idle in his shop unless I gave him more money. That was not part of the contract. Since no progress was ever made after all this time, I had no choice but to have the car towed from his shop. I am fighting to get my money back. He even sold one of my rims which was worth $1,100 without consulting with me. My advice to anyone considering this shop is to go somewhere else. This guy will schmooze you to death with one lie after another. I truly believe that he never intended to repair my vehicle. So don't fall for his nice guy persona. I have never done anything like this before but felt so strongly about the unethical dealings of Tom Zaino that I wanted to warn others of his lies and trickery, especially the Corvette family. He was referred to me by a personal friend, so I let my guard down a bit and never expected this to happen.
Last edited by wmjosjr; 06-20-2012 at 05:45 PM.
06-19-2012, 08:59 PM
#2
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2010
Location: Charlotte Area North Carolina
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Thanks for the heads up. Shame that life's lessons and experiences are so painful but glad you shared so other can avoid a repeat. Hope you get your money back.
06-20-2012, 07:39 AM
#4
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Cape Cod, Mass.
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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06-20-2012, 01:18 PM
#6
Team Owner
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To the OP thanks for the post and hope it works out for you man. I just hate AZZ holes like this doing stuff like this.
Robert
06-20-2012, 08:00 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Going through a similiar situation myself. Wanted to get my 63 painted.Did my reasearch, found a 'competent and "reputable" shop. Estimate was 13K and 6 months. I'm now alittle north of 22 K and18 months and I still don't have my car.
06-21-2012, 04:16 PM
#8
Safety Car
Unbelievable it went this route. .. Not expecting a reply. Just wondering how could this happen. .. Same with the OP.
06-21-2012, 07:46 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Some of the additional $ and time might be justified. The car was worse than I thought. Painted five different colors over the years. Enamel over laquer as well as laquer over enamel.Body work included bondo, rivets and screws. He took it down to the original fiberglass.Installed new rear quarter panels. To me, nothing justifies a year and a half. He could have done the car for free and I still would hve trouble with a year and a half. It just got to a point where he had me over a barrell. There aren't many guys in Northeast Pa. that do Corvettes and once it was stripped and apart, my only options were letting him finish or getting a flatbed and a lawyer. 2nd option may have taken longer than the first.
The nitwit called me on Tues. and said that he finished putting color (black) on the car. Still has to finish the clear coats.As of this afternoon, the clearcoat wasn't finished. I hope to have my car back by Christmas. I was reallylooking forward to haveing the car re=painted. This A++hole took all of the joy out of it. Given me more nightmares than 13 months in Vietnam.
Although I haven't seen the finished product, what I have seen looks outstanding. It's been an extremely frustrating experience.
The nitwit called me on Tues. and said that he finished putting color (black) on the car. Still has to finish the clear coats.As of this afternoon, the clearcoat wasn't finished. I hope to have my car back by Christmas. I was reallylooking forward to haveing the car re=painted. This A++hole took all of the joy out of it. Given me more nightmares than 13 months in Vietnam.
Although I haven't seen the finished product, what I have seen looks outstanding. It's been an extremely frustrating experience.
06-22-2012, 02:52 AM
#10
Safety Car
Unfortunately this exact scenario is way too common among body shops. You get the song and dance about how great a job they'll do, they want a large deposit, you leave your car and the deposit, they take your car apart and/or strip the paint, they tell you it's going to cost a bunch more money for one reason or another or for no reason at all, you complain that wasn't the deal, they push your car outside and tell you tough ****... come get your car if you don't like it. Now you've got a disassembled/stripped car and they've got your money.
Been there, done that... twice. The second time it was even worse because to add insult to injury, they held the car for ransom for even MORE money... yep, they said I couldn't have my car back until I paid them more, and if I didn't pay they'd file a mechanic's lien to get the title.
About the only thing you can do is file a lawsuit against them. Been there, done that too, and it worked.
The lesson is to thoroughly check out any shop you plan to do business with. Check with the the Better Business Bureau for complaint history. Ask for references and call them. Check with local clubs about what kind of reputation the shop has. Go to the shop and look around... do you see disassembled cars that look like they've been sitting for a while and parts haphazardly strewn around the shop? If so, watch out. And above all, get whatever deal you think you have IN WRITING.
Been there, done that... twice. The second time it was even worse because to add insult to injury, they held the car for ransom for even MORE money... yep, they said I couldn't have my car back until I paid them more, and if I didn't pay they'd file a mechanic's lien to get the title.
About the only thing you can do is file a lawsuit against them. Been there, done that too, and it worked.
The lesson is to thoroughly check out any shop you plan to do business with. Check with the the Better Business Bureau for complaint history. Ask for references and call them. Check with local clubs about what kind of reputation the shop has. Go to the shop and look around... do you see disassembled cars that look like they've been sitting for a while and parts haphazardly strewn around the shop? If so, watch out. And above all, get whatever deal you think you have IN WRITING.
06-22-2012, 08:30 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
I actually did most of what you recommended. Didn't check with Better Business. He was referred by another local guy that has had Vettes for years. I saw his work, his shop was spotless. One thing that I didn't consider is that the guy who referred me has about 5 Corvettes. He never drives any of them. Having a car tied up for extended periods of time wasn't an issue to him. I try to drive mine as much as I can. I also have a tendency to take someone at their word until I have reason not to. This guy told me exactly what I wanted to hear. It's just sad that he ruined what could have been a very enjoyable experience. I'm so frustrated that I'm actually considering selling the car. Only time will tell if I can look at the car and not be reminded of this idiot and all of the bad memories.
06-22-2012, 08:57 AM
#12
Race Director
Member Since: Jun 2006
Location: Inverness FL
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St. Jude Donor '07
I actually did most of what you recommended. Didn't check with Better Business. He was referred by another local guy that has had Vettes for years. I saw his work, his shop was spotless. One thing that I didn't consider is that the guy who referred me has about 5 Corvettes. He never drives any of them. Having a car tied up for extended periods of time wasn't an issue to him. I try to drive mine as much as I can. I also have a tendency to take someone at their word until I have reason not to. This guy told me exactly what I wanted to hear. It's just sad that he ruined what could have been a very enjoyable experience. I'm so frustrated that I'm actually considering selling the car. Only time will tell if I can look at the car and not be reminded of this idiot and all of the bad memories.
Bill
06-22-2012, 10:15 AM
#13
06-22-2012, 10:18 AM
#14
06-22-2012, 10:23 AM
#15
06-22-2012, 10:31 AM
#16
Yes you did see it elsewhere. My goal is for everyone on the internet to know about Tom Zaino and his scam.
06-22-2012, 10:34 AM
#17
06-22-2012, 10:43 AM
#18
Ren, I hope you have better luck then me!! All the best.
06-22-2012, 10:47 AM
#19
If you want one of the best see Jeff Brainhart @937-743-3007 @ Springboro, OH.
A NCRS paint judge and former Bloomington judge.
He can do an NCRS or Concours fiberglass and paint, depending on your desirse.
Seen much of his work and it is unbelievable. Very reasonable working time and very honest and dedendible.
Done work on my 63 and unbelievable good.
Tim
A NCRS paint judge and former Bloomington judge.
He can do an NCRS or Concours fiberglass and paint, depending on your desirse.
Seen much of his work and it is unbelievable. Very reasonable working time and very honest and dedendible.
Done work on my 63 and unbelievable good.
Tim
06-22-2012, 10:54 AM
#20
Some of the additional $ and time might be justified. The car was worse than I thought. Painted five different colors over the years. Enamel over laquer as well as laquer over enamel.Body work included bondo, rivets and screws. He took it down to the original fiberglass.Installed new rear quarter panels. To me, nothing justifies a year and a half. He could have done the car for free and I still would hve trouble with a year and a half. It just got to a point where he had me over a barrell. There aren't many guys in Northeast Pa. that do Corvettes and once it was stripped and apart, my only options were letting him finish or getting a flatbed and a lawyer. 2nd option may have taken longer than the first.
The nitwit called me on Tues. and said that he finished putting color (black) on the car. Still has to finish the clear coats.As of this afternoon, the clearcoat wasn't finished. I hope to have my car back by Christmas. I was reallylooking forward to haveing the car re=painted. This A++hole took all of the joy out of it. Given me more nightmares than 13 months in Vietnam.
Although I haven't seen the finished product, what I have seen looks outstanding. It's been an extremely frustrating experience.
The nitwit called me on Tues. and said that he finished putting color (black) on the car. Still has to finish the clear coats.As of this afternoon, the clearcoat wasn't finished. I hope to have my car back by Christmas. I was reallylooking forward to haveing the car re=painted. This A++hole took all of the joy out of it. Given me more nightmares than 13 months in Vietnam.
Although I haven't seen the finished product, what I have seen looks outstanding. It's been an extremely frustrating experience.