Philip Thearle's Autowerks in Santee review: Would not release my car after body work was completed-still owe me $263.64

Took my car to be repaired after being rearended on May 31, 2022. Got an estimate from Autowerks and spoke with USAA, the insurance company of the person who hit me. Got approval for repairs from both and left my car on Aug 10, 2022. Autowerks would not start the job until I made a $1500 payment to them, in order to commence work.

Working with Aaron Hough at Autowerks was not easy. He was difficult to get hold of, wouldn't return messages, and generally responded with texts. Problems getting parts, (supply issues), but the work was completed on Aug 29, 2022.

I called Aaron to find out when I could pick up my car and was told they were waiting for final payment from the insurance company and wouldn't release the car until they got a check. Several days went by, still no word for car pick up, and as I was borrowing a car rather than using a rental, needed my car back.

Once again, I had to try and get hold of Aaron. He texted me and told me if I wanted my car, I needed to contact USAA myself, to get the ball rolling, which I did. USAA told me the check was approved and would go out the following week, after the Labor Day holiday. I needed my car for a weekend trip, so arranged to make the final payment of $263.64, to be reimbursed from Autowerks when they got their check.

It is now October 12, 2022 and I've been battling with Autowerks and still no check. They say they never got the check, and USAA says they were over billed for parts and have paid all that was due. I'm still out the money, and if I hadn't paid Autowerks, would still not have my car back.