By DON DARE
6 On Your Side Reporter
SWEETWATER (WATE) - A Sweetwater woman called 6 On Your Side because she's been waiting two years for her car to be repaired.
Under the law, there's what is called a reasonable expectation of time for repair work to be finished.
Sweetwater widow Frieda Queen paid to have her 1978 Chevrolet Impala painted, the rust spots patched and the seats redone. She said the repairs were expected to take two to three weeks, but that was nearly two years ago.
The old car Frieda has to drive now, her son's 1977 Chevrolet El Camino, isn't dependable. "It needs a new motor in it," she said.
She hasn't driven Impala since taking it to Finis Gentry's garage called The Shop in August 2010.
Frieda's husband, Raymond, bought the Impala, the year he died. "It's the only thing that reminds me of him." He bought it just months before he passed away.
Besides sentimental value, Frieda says she liked her late husband's big car so she took it to The Shop in Sweetwater to get it updated a bit.
"He said he would do the seats, the whole thing on the inside, and paint it on the outside," she said.
The original receipts show in late August 2010, Frieda paid Gentry $3,600 in cash, but he still has the car.
"I've been without a car. I've had to ask my friends and neighbors to take me places that I have to go. I don't have no transportation," Frieda said.
She said Gentry tells her "Nothing, the same story. I'll have your car all done and finished in two weeks. I heard that for eight straight months."
Shop owner Finis Gentry was there when 6 On Your Side stopped by so we asked him about Frieda's car and what's hold up getting it finished?
"We've had a couple of incidents," Gentry said. "We got the car. We're working on it now."
Frieda said that's the same line she's been getting. She went to court and police arrested Gentry last year, charging him with theft over $1,000.
Gentry assured 6 On Your Side, "The car is going to be finished on the next court date."
The next court date is August 29 at the Monroe County Courthouse, according to documents.
When asked if she thinks Gentry took advantage of her because she's 79, Frieda said, "Yes.sir."
Gentry denied that. "No, no, there's nobody taking advantage of anybody."
When the case is concluded, Frieda expects what she paid for two years ago. "I just want my car. That's all I want."
Remember this, when you take a car in for repairs, you shouldn't pay the whole cost in advance. If the shop demands money up front, go somewhere else.
Frieda said she paid in advance because she "trusted Mr. Gentry."
If you have a consumer issue, call the 6 On Your Side Hotline at 865-633-5974 or email ddare@wate.com.
"I just want my car. That's all I want," Frieda Queen said.
"No, no, there's nobody taking advantage of anybody," Finis Gentry said.
