Beach Buffers Car Wash & Detail Center Beach Buffers Car Wash Beach Buffers Car wash did a crappy job cleaning my car and the owner refused to rectify the situation Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

COMPLAINT ACTIVITY REPORT  Case # xxxxxx52 BBB Coastal Carolina

Business Info: Beach Buffers Car Wash
3660 Renee Dr 
Myrtle Beach, SC  29579-4106
843 236-7837

Location Involved:     
Consumer's Original Complaint :
This company refused to clean my vehicle in a satisfacty manner and also refused to provide a refund. I went to this car wash because my car was seriously in need of a cleaning. I normally go to the car wash off of 17 south because they do an excellent job. I eat in my car because I am always on the go. I don't take my car to the carwash often so when I do it really needs it. I don't throw trash in the floorboards but the dash will be dusty and crumbs on the console and the cup holder. I'll admit that the console area can get pretty nasty. However I have never had a complaint until I went to the Beach Buffers carwash. This car wash was a little closer to me so I thought I would get it a try. When I pulled up in line a guy came  to find out what kind of wash I wanted. I asked the guy what the difference was between the washes because I wanted to make sure the interior got cleaned well. I asked which package included armor all on the dash and interior and he said none of the washes included that and would be an extra 10 dollars but they wouldn't have time to do that today. I asked which then which wash includes whipping down the dash and console really good. He said they all included that except the other washes include armor all on the tires and the full service includes the extra clear coat protection. So I went with the number 3 wash for 17.99 not the basic. I paid for the wash before completion (a mistake). When my car was finished 45 minutes later I went to get into the car and the first thing I noticed was dirt on the back of the console, then I saw dirt and stains on the driver door vinyl. Then I saw that the console still had crumbs around the inside. The car wash kid asked if it was ok and I said that there was still some dirt on the console that needed to be taken care of.  He came back a few minutes later and said he was finished. I went and took a look and said it still has dust on the stereo and there are still crumbs and stuff around the shifter. He worked on it again for a few and said it was done. I climbed in and put it in gear ready to go and I looked down and dust slid down with the shifter, then I looked up and the steering column had not been whiped at all I swiped my finger and got nothing but dust. I got out of the car annoyed and told the car wash kid that there was still a lot of dirt in there. He motioned for the guy standing and watching. The grey head owner walked over and I explained the situation and he glanced in the car and said that was the best he could do for me with without having me schedule a full car detailing. I swiped my hand across the steering console and pulled a handful of dust. I then said so you are telling me this is the best you do here. I said then I going back in side for  some kind of refund. He said that there won't be any refund.  I turned around and said so you're not going to finish cleaning my car? I have been to other car washes further into Myrtle Beach and never have had a problem and they armor all the entire inside of the car as well. He said we will whip down the column a little more but as for the rest you are going to have to get a full detailing. I got back into the car ready to go but highly annoyed. I was about to leave when shifting into gear all of that dirt slid out with the shifter. 

Consumer's Desired Resolution:
I either want a free car wash of equal or greater value or a full refund. $17.99

BBB Processing
 
11/05/2011                web       BBB        Complaint Received by BBB
11/07/2011                VM        BBB        Complaint Validated by BBB Operator
11/07/2011                Otto       MAIL       Inform Business of Complaint
11/23/2011                OttO      BBB        No response to first notice to business
11/23/2011                OttO      EMAIL     Consumer - Have You Heard From the Company
11/23/2011                OttO      MAIL       Second Notice to Business
11/29/2011                             BBB        MORE INFO RECEIVED FROM THE CONSUMER : Still have not had any contact with company since the complaint was filled.
12/01/2011                VM        BBB        RECEIVE BUSINESS RESPONSE : Company spent 45 minutes with the consumer, the consumer cursed at the cashier.  Company has done everything that they were suppose to do, the car was never washed and the company did a great job for the circumstances of the condition of the car.  Everything is recorded. 
12/01/2011                VM        EMAIL     Forward Business response to Consumer
12/02/2011                WEB      BBB        RECEIVED CONSUMER REBUTTAL : (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
                              It remains to be seen that the owner still refuses to make it right with me. They did a poor job on my vehicle compared to other similar carwashes. The owner continues to state that this is the extent of the service that he provides. So by his own admittance he provides poor service.
 

I received a response from the bbb saying the beach buffers car wash attempted to resolve the issue when all they did was deny any wrong doing...

Complaint ID#: xxxxxx52
Business Name: Beach Buffers Car Wash

We have received your most recent correspondence in the above-mentioned complaint case.

You have indicated that you are NOT satisfied with the business' response in the matter.

However, in the judgment of your BBB, the business has made a good-faith effort to resolve the matter. Although, we realize that you may still feel the matter is not resolved, we have closed the case.

Sincerely,
Valerie Michaud
Complaint Resolution Specialist
BBB Complaint Department
complaints@coastalcarolina.bbb.org

I just noticed this statement that the owner made to the Better Business Bereau.

Company spent 45 minutes with the consumer, the consumer cursed at the cashier.  Company has done everything that they were suppose to do, the car was never washed and the company did a great job for the circumstances of the condition of the car.  Everything is recorded. 

First he says "the car was never washed," Then he says, "the company did a great job for the circumstances."

What kind of contradictory statement is this?
First, he lies and says the car was never washed.
Then He says he spent 45 minutes.. ? doing what? not washing the car?
Then he says he did a great job, at what? not washing the car?

He did wash the car, The exterior was pretty good.
My complaint is with the lack of the interior work.
Also, I would like to add that this car is a 2007 model.

You might want to re-check your facts buddy, or go back and finish high school.
Thanks for your... lol,.. so called effort...

The BBB can sometimes be less than helpful.  But based on what you wrote it sounds like you were trying to get a full interior detail for a cheaper price.

You admit that the Exterior was okay, you admit that your interior can get "pretty nasty".  It sounds like they attempted to clean it to your satisfaction but your interior was probably just too dirty to be totally cleaned without doing a full detail on it.   I wonder short of a full detail if any amount of cleaning would have been to your satisfaction.

However, your reaction to you thinking it wasn't up to par was to do what?  Ask for a COMPLETE wash of equal or greater value or a refund of your $17.99.  When you didn't get it you cussed out the cashier.  Sorry but it seems as if the only unreasonable person may have been you.

By the way once you start cussing out the employees that is usually "Game Over" for them willing to do anything for you.  So I really hope it did make you feel better, because if you had done that at other stores I doubt they would have done anything for you either.

As to why they said they never washed the car..well the owner and possibly you truly only know why.

I did not cuss anyone out until they refused to clean areas that were physicaly dirty more than three times claiming that I would need a full detail. A full detail costs $100.00. If you think any car wash is worth $100 dollars you are either ritch or retarted. I asked for nothing any other carwash had not already performed countless times before with out the need for complaint. Besides the bbb complaint came after cussing them out and exclaiming that I would never return. I would not have returned there for a free wash anyway out of pure principal. I would have torn up the voucher in your.. oops,I mean his face Also, I did not ask for a value more than what I had paid I asked for an equal value. The biggest issue I had was that you, oops, I mean ..they.. refused to rectify the situation in any way. Look at the other 10 or more complaints involving this single carwash. I think the best thing this guy could have done is give me a certificate towards another carwash at another company since I wll never return to this one anyway. Besides the lack of service that you provide, oops I mean they .. I of course am not claiming you are an associate of Beach Buffers Carwash trying to play games.. lol

Beach Buffer owners Ken Lapoint and Marcia Lapoint are extremely unprofessional.  I used Beach Buffers twice and will NEVER recommend or return!  I've contacted the BBB and local newspapers concerning their scam artist and unprofessional behavior.  In the past they've yelled at customers on the phone who are attempting to book appointments for a car wash, they've REFUSED to wash cars (refer to the discriminates against VETERANS post on Ripoff Report, and they've half-assed "detailed" cars).  Ken the CLOWN gets FURIOUS if you point out the dirt left in our outside of your vehicle after he charges you $175 for a half-ass detail job.  It gets under his skin so much...he will flat our REFUSE your business!  haha LMAO!  Seriously bud!?  You're going to keep someone's vehicle for 6-8 hrs and charge them $150 for a detail, but leave dust in the nooks & crannies!?  WTF.  Yeh, it's the truth.  Everything you read on Ripoff Report about Beach Buffers, Ken the Clown (Ken Lapoint and Marcia Lapoint - his bitch) are true.  On the other hand, if you have a CLEAN car, or if you get your car detailed weekly, Beach Buffers is the place to go;  they just don't like cleaning dirty cars!  There are a lot better, more professional, less expensive car wash businesses in Myrtle Beach.  Save yourself the time & hassle of dealing with Ken the Clown! 

If you have problems with Beach Buffers and KEN, the best option is to immediately contact the Better Business Bureau, and all the local newspapers.  The public needs to be informed of his unprofessional behavior.