Essay: Illegal repair shops are threat

Flint needs jobs generated by honest employers — businesses that provide their customers with reliable service and products, businesses that treat their employees fairly and pay their fair share of state and city licensing fees, sales and payroll taxes.

Too many Flint businesses miss the mark and actually endanger others, especially the many auto repair facilities operating without licenses in Flint. The legal and illegal businesses are operating on an unequal playing field which is detrimental to local businesses.

Auto repair shops are required to register with the state and be licensed by the city. An informal survey of the yellow pages found about 400 repair shops advertising in Flint, yet the state list shows only 145 registered shops.

(Many more illegal repair businesses are not included in these figures, because they only advertise by word-of-mouth.)

The city has a responsibility to verify that anyone who works on vehicles for compensation is licensed and registered with the city and state regardless of where they do the work — in their backyard, driveway or in a building. Flint residents need to help by turning in illegal businesses to the authorities and for city officials need to enforce regulations already on the books.

Taking your vehicle to an unlicensed facility is putting your family's safety and the public's safety into the hands of workmen who may be unaware or may not care about safety issues.

Our environment is at risk if repair shops are not following EPA regulations — disposing of hazardous chemicals in storm drains, for example. Firefighters called to an illegal shop storing hazardous materials are at risk.

Many repair shops are not up-to-date on the training and equipment necessary to return a vehicle to a safe operating condition.

Ray Fisher, president of the Automotive Service Association of Michigan cautions consumers about unlicensed repair facilities.

"I have received numerous calls and e-mails about backyard mechanics from consumers seeking guidance. The reality is, the law states that it is illegal for a person or repair facility to charge anyone anything for parts or labor if they are not a licensed repair facility," Fisher said.

It's easy to find out if an auto repair shop is licensed by the state.

Ask to see the facility's licenses, if they are not posted on its wall.

Check out the Department of State web site at http://www.michigan.gov/sos or call customer support section at (888) 767-6424 for help.

If you have been the victim of an illegal shop there is help and possibly full compensation. If an unlicensed shop repaired your vehicle you are entitled to a refund including any parts paid for. Call the Attorney General's office consumer complaint division at (877) 765-8388.

Unsuspecting customers that bring their vehicles to illegal shops may find their vehicle and possessions inside the vehicle are not insured. Contact your insurance agent for additional details and mention "illegal shop."

Flint's water pollution control monitors chemical spills and other illicit discharges to the city's storm water collection system. Call the environmental compliance unit at (810) 766-7210 to report dumping of polluting wastes, such as oil, paint, chemicals or rubbish, into sewers.