Magic Wax (Mario) SUCKS!!!
09-13-2004, 03:07 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Magic Wax (Mario) SUCKS!!!
After getting several recommendations, I hired Magic Wax – a well known detailer in Southern California – to detail my car. Magic Wax is run by a guy named Mario.
I spoke with Mario on Tuesday and he agreed to detail my car on Thursday. However, the weather forecast included the possibility of rain. Mario promised that, if it rained after he detailed my car, he would wax my car again after the rain ceased, before the weekend.
Thursday morning, the sky was full of clouds and I was reluctant to proceed. Mario repeated his promise that, if it rained on my car after the detail, he would wax it again before the weekend. Therefore, I allowed him to proceed. Interestingly, he detailed my car at CEC.
In order to justify the $225 fee, Mario told me that he would need over three hours to detail my car. Yet, Mario miraculously finished in under two hours.
Mario’s detail was adequate, but far from commensurate with the $225 fee. He delivered the car to me with wax build up in several areas, smudges, and various other minor flaws, some of which were fixed on the spot.
Shortly after Mario left, I discovered that he had: (1) broken both plastic pieces that covers the screws that affix the visors to the roof, and (2) broken my $300 sunglasses by cramming them in the center counsel – the frame is bent so severely that it doesn’t fit on my head. Additionally, the rain came as predicted and doused my car.
I promptly called Mario (on Thursday). I should mention here that Mario NEVER answers his cell phone. Rather, he lets all calls go to voicemail and calls back only those select few that he wants to speak with. Prior to collecting my $225, Mario was very responsive and promptly returned all my calls. That ceased after he had my money. Mario returned my first call after finishing my car – that was the last call he returned. I told Mario about the damage to my car and sunglasses, and the rain, and Mario promised to fix my car and sunglasses, and wax my car again, the next day (Friday). We set an appointment for 12:00 pm.
I called Mario Friday morning at 11:30 pm to confirm our 12:00 pm appointment. Mario didn’t return my call. 12:00 pm came and went without any word from Mario. I left 2-3 additional messages for Mario that afternoon, without response from Mario. I was steaming.
Saturday morning, I left another message for Mario, and he again declined to call me back. Then, I had my wife call him and leave a message feigning interest in hiring him, and leaving her cell phone number. Mario called my wife back within minutes. She handed the phone to me, and Mario gave me a BS line about being out of cell phone range at German Auto Fest in Ventura and unable to call me back. Of note, I was able to speak with several people by cell phone at German Auto Fest, without any diminished signal. Nevertheless, I made nice and Mario promised to wax AND fix my car, and deal with my broken sunglasses, that afternoon, between 1:00-2:00 pm. Not surprisingly, 2:00 pm came and went without word from Mario. I left a couple of messages, but Mario maintained radio silence. Thus, I was left with no alternative but to rush out Saturday late afternoon and find someone to do what I had paid Mario to do.
Now I have to go about fixing my car, and fixing my sunglasses or buying new ones. Needless to say, I will never call Mario of Magic Wax ever again. Caveat emptor.
Craig
I spoke with Mario on Tuesday and he agreed to detail my car on Thursday. However, the weather forecast included the possibility of rain. Mario promised that, if it rained after he detailed my car, he would wax my car again after the rain ceased, before the weekend.
Thursday morning, the sky was full of clouds and I was reluctant to proceed. Mario repeated his promise that, if it rained on my car after the detail, he would wax it again before the weekend. Therefore, I allowed him to proceed. Interestingly, he detailed my car at CEC.
In order to justify the $225 fee, Mario told me that he would need over three hours to detail my car. Yet, Mario miraculously finished in under two hours.
Mario’s detail was adequate, but far from commensurate with the $225 fee. He delivered the car to me with wax build up in several areas, smudges, and various other minor flaws, some of which were fixed on the spot.
Shortly after Mario left, I discovered that he had: (1) broken both plastic pieces that covers the screws that affix the visors to the roof, and (2) broken my $300 sunglasses by cramming them in the center counsel – the frame is bent so severely that it doesn’t fit on my head. Additionally, the rain came as predicted and doused my car.
I promptly called Mario (on Thursday). I should mention here that Mario NEVER answers his cell phone. Rather, he lets all calls go to voicemail and calls back only those select few that he wants to speak with. Prior to collecting my $225, Mario was very responsive and promptly returned all my calls. That ceased after he had my money. Mario returned my first call after finishing my car – that was the last call he returned. I told Mario about the damage to my car and sunglasses, and the rain, and Mario promised to fix my car and sunglasses, and wax my car again, the next day (Friday). We set an appointment for 12:00 pm.
I called Mario Friday morning at 11:30 pm to confirm our 12:00 pm appointment. Mario didn’t return my call. 12:00 pm came and went without any word from Mario. I left 2-3 additional messages for Mario that afternoon, without response from Mario. I was steaming.
Saturday morning, I left another message for Mario, and he again declined to call me back. Then, I had my wife call him and leave a message feigning interest in hiring him, and leaving her cell phone number. Mario called my wife back within minutes. She handed the phone to me, and Mario gave me a BS line about being out of cell phone range at German Auto Fest in Ventura and unable to call me back. Of note, I was able to speak with several people by cell phone at German Auto Fest, without any diminished signal. Nevertheless, I made nice and Mario promised to wax AND fix my car, and deal with my broken sunglasses, that afternoon, between 1:00-2:00 pm. Not surprisingly, 2:00 pm came and went without word from Mario. I left a couple of messages, but Mario maintained radio silence. Thus, I was left with no alternative but to rush out Saturday late afternoon and find someone to do what I had paid Mario to do.
Now I have to go about fixing my car, and fixing my sunglasses or buying new ones. Needless to say, I will never call Mario of Magic Wax ever again. Caveat emptor.
Craig
09-13-2004, 03:40 AM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Kevin
Cliff???
Actually, I confirmed that phone service was uninterrrupted at the German Auto Fest by calling Dan on his cell phone -- he was at the show and his reception was perfect
BTW, Thanks for all the info on the MAX HP thread -- Awesome stuff!!! Do you want to change the rods and oil pump on my car?
Craig
Cliff???
Actually, I confirmed that phone service was uninterrrupted at the German Auto Fest by calling Dan on his cell phone -- he was at the show and his reception was perfect
BTW, Thanks for all the info on the MAX HP thread -- Awesome stuff!!! Do you want to change the rods and oil pump on my car?
Craig
09-13-2004, 09:43 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
I can recommend two sources that I have used
The first is Classy Cars in the town of Huntington Beach; owned by Jeff. They have a shop that they do their detailing in under the correct type of lighting and in controlled conditions. The most professional I have dealt with. This shop does the pro-circuit show cars and works for an impressive client list.
The second is "Glistening Perfection" owned by a great young guy named Moe Minstry. Moe is portable and comes to you. He uses top quality (Zymol) product and is a student of the art.
I have first hand experience over time with both of these operations and recommend them highly.
I am more than happy to give out their contact information if you are interested although I seem to recall they both had internet addresses.....
The second is "Glistening Perfection" owned by a great young guy named Moe Minstry. Moe is portable and comes to you. He uses top quality (Zymol) product and is a student of the art.
I have first hand experience over time with both of these operations and recommend them highly.
I am more than happy to give out their contact information if you are interested although I seem to recall they both had internet addresses.....
09-14-2004, 03:16 AM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
I heard from Mario (Magic Wax) today. Thanks to Allen at SG, Albert at CEC, and Michael at ByD for their assistance.
Mario was VERY apologetic. He acknowledged his mistakes, including most importantly not communicating with me, and took responsibility for them. He promptly came to my office and inspected the damaged piece of plastic on my car. Thereafter, he contacted the dealer, ordered a new part, and promised to replace it as soon as possible. I had already taken the sunglasses in for repair and, while they are not perfect, they are good enough. Mario has promised to detail my car twice at no cost.
I appreciate Mario stepping forward and taking responsibility for his actions. He owned up, apologized, commenced remedial action, and offered compensation in the form of two free details. Assuming he follows through, the dispute is resolved.
Craig
Mario was VERY apologetic. He acknowledged his mistakes, including most importantly not communicating with me, and took responsibility for them. He promptly came to my office and inspected the damaged piece of plastic on my car. Thereafter, he contacted the dealer, ordered a new part, and promised to replace it as soon as possible. I had already taken the sunglasses in for repair and, while they are not perfect, they are good enough. Mario has promised to detail my car twice at no cost.
I appreciate Mario stepping forward and taking responsibility for his actions. He owned up, apologized, commenced remedial action, and offered compensation in the form of two free details. Assuming he follows through, the dispute is resolved.
Craig
