Auto shops to avoid around Knoxville/Pigeon Forge

[KiltedBanshees93GT]

Long post, please forgive,

Hi folks, I haven't been on any boards much, er, well, really at all the last couple of years (slacker, I know, lol)
But I wanted to send out a little heads up about a terrible experience I just had, and maybe keep somebody else from falling victim.

Short version: Beware "Carrs auto" when in the Pigeon Forge/Knoxville area. (Several shops between here and Knoxville) Nothing good can come of them. (and lots of "several expletives voluntarily deleted" can).

Longer version: The car (93'GT) started squealing really bad from the tranny last fri night (12-14). Bad enough not to drive.
3 big possibility's:
!: Clutch cable "stretch", (and the firewall adjuster didn't help, even all the way out)
2: Throwout bearing, and number three.
3: Clutch worn out, 3 1/2-4 years old, about 60-70k miles, with a lot of harsh conditions/frequent shifting,hill climbing. Early demise? maybe, but the miles on it weren't pretty ones.

From this point, I'll list everything roughly chronologically.

12/15-16 (sat and Sun): Go out an pick up a new cable, and install, still squealling, decide its either the throwout or the clutch, either way, same resolution, clutch/throwout/pilot replacement. (Oh, and did I mention the snow/sleet while I was working on it)

So, cables not the prob, and pulling the tranny myself on slate gravel in 30 and below weather just isnt an appealing option.
I call Carrs, and ride down to the shop to pick up a rental from them. ($40 a day). I tell the guy what the problem is, and am assured that the car should be done Monday afternoon.

Tues AM, 12/18: After no call monday afternoon, I call to check on progress. their response: "Oh, we're glad you called, it looks like the clutch is the problem, and we need permission to drop the tranny."
Um, ok, that was kinda the whole point...And the car apparently hasn't been touched yet
"It should be done Wednesday."

Wed Am 12/19: It'll be done this afternoon." Wed PM, wife calls back "Oh, its not going to be done until tommorow, we're having to replace the clutch cable. "
(The new cable, that had zero miles.?!?)
"And its going to be $700 plus rental""

Thurs Am 12/20: Call and politely ask whats going on, the claim that everything was together, and the first time they pressed the clutch, it tore the nut off the end of the cable.
WTF?
OK, just fix it, Thurs PM, wife calls back, and is told that they are having to get another clutch

Fri Am 12/21: My morning ritual isn't complete without the daily circle-jerk, "OK, everythings going back together, it'll be ready this afternoon." hmmm, sounds oddly familiar.
I politely inquire if they're going to comp me the last couple of days rental, since the mysteries of Fords clutch system is apparently giving them some trouble. (didn't say it, but thought it REAL loud.) Hemms and hawws, BS,BS,BS.
Fri PM wife calls them, and low and behold this clutch doesent fit either!?!?!

Next morning (Sat 12/22)" Let Mortal Kombat begin:
Starts out with my normal "phone buddy", again asking what exactly is going on, "well we've got another clutch (3rd one), yadda yadda."

I politely explain that at this point, these reassurances aren't,well, reassuring, and ask if there's anything I can do to help things along, maybe theres some quirk with the car thats being missed that I might know something about (I've owned it for 10 years)
About this time, another voice jumps in, with no introductions, and proceeds to tell me that bothering his people isn't going to get the car done. Great way to start a conversation.

Apparently the "Manager" was listening in, and could no longer tolerate me bothering his phone guy by asking reasonable questions about a situation that is obviously far out of control.
Once I pry his name and exalted rank out of him, I ask him, since, as he noted, he's in charge if he can do anything to help fix this situation. Umm, no.

Well, all I'm asking at this point is that the last couple of days rental fees be dropped.
"Nope, thats not our company, we have no control over their fees, etc. "

OK, who can I talk to that does?

"We only own 10% in that company, I'll be happy to give you our 10% back. The rest is out of our hands."

Well, that eight bucks is incredibly generous, but I'd rather go for the full eighty. Whats this companys name, maybe I'll have better luck with them.

"I'm the manager for them, I own 10% and my dad's the president." But?!...

Things went downhill from there, but to summarize: I was accused of "just wanting things for free", "upsetting him", "not having a $4500 mortgage to pay for" and get this...no joke, I still have a hard time believing it,....but by being brazen enough to ask for $80 compensation I'd be...

Taking away his ability to buy Christmas presents!

Oh, he also pointed out several times how nice he was for NOT CHARGING ME FOR THE OTHER 2 BOTCHED CLUTCH INSTALLATIONS/ "MECHANICALLY DEFECTIVE" CLUTCHES!!!

After that I just said to fix it, and we'd agree to get out of each other's hair. (oh, and he doesn't want me to bring my car back to them, since I just want things for free. Shucks, I've got a nail in my back tire that should be worth at least $600 to fix)

And lo, 30 mins after I'm off the phone, a miracle strikes, the cars suddenly done! Though its grabbing way too low, I'll have to play with the adjuster.

Total Damage $976.01, including rental up to Wed.
And I guess a spoiled christmas for his kids


Hope this helps someone out there,

J