Scandinavian Service Inc - Simi Valley (Gert Lindham) Purposely misdiagnosed repair and overcharged Simi Valley CA

I took my RV to Scandinavian Service because my Onan generator starter was stuck. I agreed to the $130 diagnostic fee (which is billed in ADDITION to the cost of the repair. It is NOT applied to completing the repair job. I understand charging for diagnostic if you elect to not have the work done, but not if you proceed with the repair!). Estimate was for $740 to diagnose, remove the generator, replace the starter and reinstall the generator into the RV. The cost to remove/install the generator was estimated to take 3 hours at $126 an hour. Gert (the owner) said before he started the diagnostic something like "You will only be billed for the amount of time it takes me to do the job."
Gert stated that removing generator was a very complicated task which would require the entire RV to be lifted off the ground and that is why it would cost so much. I stayed at the shop while he started the repair in the parking lot. I watched Gert use a motorcycle jack to remove the generator in less than 30 minutes. AFTER Gert had removed the generator he told me the starter was stuck but he was able repair that issue. He went on to say that the starter would have to be replaced anyway "because there was no power to it...it was fried". At this point I was starting to grow suspicious of what Gert's intentions were and decided to take the generator with me without having complete the service. I am so glad I did.

I took the generator to Onan Cummins in Ventura to do diagnostic bench test of the generator. This cost me $200 but I felt it was worthwhiile given Gert's deceptive actions the previous day. Low and behold an independent, certified Onan Service center stated in writing the following..."STARTER ROTATES AND APPEARS TO BE OK".
I went back to Gert and asked him what he was going to do about overbilling me and charging me for work that he knew I would not approve if he had been truthful and forthcoming with the information. He insisted that I had to pay 1 1/2 hour labor to remove the generator even though it only took 30 minutes. He also said things like "we don't bill customers based on how much time the job takes". THEN WHAT DO YOU BILL CUSTOMERS BASED ON?

It is my belief that Gert was DISHONEST and KNOWINGLY withheld information to maximize his profits at my expense. Save yourself time and money, do not use Scandinavian Services.

Upon doing some research regarding other customer’s experiences at Scandinavian Service I found the following information:

Yelp

"This place is a rip off - They have no clue about customer service or how to fix Onan generators. I took my RV for generator problems and it came back with more and different problems than it had before I took it. They seem to find problems within the RV that were never an issue prior to taking it to them."

Google

"I learned the hard way. I spent thousands of dollars at this shop before I realized the scamming going on here. Lets just say after a visit to Scandinavian your car will need more repairs from improper work performed, misdiagnostic, and sabotage. Most shops charge a diagnostic few that gets applied towards the repair. Not here, you can expect to pay a $125 diagnostic few and then pay for the repair itself. This place has an excuse for everything."

Google

"Terrible experience, very unprofessional and disorganized, scam artist!"
Diagnostic Fee - $130 is billed in addition to the cost of the repair.

From Yellow Pages

"The owner of Scandinavian insisted he knows how to fix these generators and took the job. Then he started guessing and replacing parts that actually did nothing to improve the problem. He had my RV for over 1 month charged $1100 and never fixed the problem. DO NOT GO HERE UNLESS YOU LOVE THROWING MONEY AWAY!!!"

From Yellow Pages

"Expensive and Unable to find Root of Problem"

From Scandinavian Service's website

"I called them and they would have the estimate in
about an day.Six days later no call no estimate .I went back to get my car and ask to speak with "Gert" the owner he wouldn't even come out of his office to speak with me.. The worst service I have ever received!!! Save your time and money!!!"

From Scandinavian Service's website

"Gave me a quote, I agreed--that is a legal contract. AND their quote was no bargain. They then charged me more across the board--no added work. I told the receptionist (the owners wife) twice about the overcharge. I called the owner 6 times on 5 different days--he was never available! Their Ad, 'WHERE HONESTY IS THE ONLY POLICY" If that is honesty, then look out."