The California Department of Consumer Affairs and Bureau of Automotive Repair recently suspended the operations of five Purrfect Auto Service shops after numerous consumer complaints. The shops will remain closed for 60 days and face the possibility of being permanently shut down by the state.
Below is the article as it appeared on The Sacramento Bee website.
California regulators suspend five Purrfect Auto Service registrations
By Mark Glover
Published: Friday, May. 21, 2010 – 12:00 am
State officials, tipped off to alleged consumer fraud late last year, on Thursday (5/20) shut down four local auto service shops.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs and Bureau of Automotive Repair suspended the automotive repair dealership registrations of four Purrfect Auto Service shops in the area and one in Fairfield.
Under terms of the interim suspension order, BAR officials said the shops effectively will be shut down for 60 days, pending presentation of evidence to the director of consumer affairs.
The shops face the possibility of permanent closure by the state. They have the right to contest the charges at an administrative hearing.
The closed Purrfect Auto Service shops are at 9701 Folsom Blvd., in Sacramento; 2344 Sunrise Blvd., in Rancho Cordova; 525 Cirby Way in Roseville; 6800 Fair Oaks Blvd., in Carmichael; and 2525 North Texas St., in Fairfield.
Following multiple consumer complaints, BAR said it began an investigation in December and subsequently found instances of the shops charging for parts or services that were not needed and in some cases not provided, making false or misleading statements and "departure from accepted trade standards."
The state investigation included BAR using undercover vehicles to gather evidence of alleged violations. In addition, BAR said it obtained declarations from seven former employees regarding the business practices of the shops’ owner, Alabani Inc., which has a Sacramento office.
Attempts to reach officials of Alabani Inc. and Purrfect on Thursday were unsuccessful.
The Purrfect Auto Service website bills the company as a franchised business with nearly 100 sites in California, Nevada and Arizona. Each location, the site said, is independently owned and operated.
"Maintenance services have become an increasingly important market for the automotive repair industry," said BAR Chief Sherry Mehl. "Unfortunately, it is also an area where consumers can easily fall prey to deceptive business practices."
To read this article on The Sacramento Bee website, visit http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/21/2766628/california-regulators-suspend.html.
