I saw Linda Brill's (KING TV) story about Gee Automotive's demise not on my home TV, but unfortunately, while waiting at Gee after I had to return my "fixed" car. And what made it more sickening is that while I waited in the customer lounge, many employees had enough free time to view the story as well.

Even if Gee stayed in business, I would never recommend that place to anyone. A lot of Gee's problems are not the fault of Huling Brothers, but stuff of their own creation. And I will not accept the "poor employee morale," or "stressed out - we're about to be laid off" story. I have been laid off and never dropped the ball or lied to customers.

Huling had crooks, but Gee might of had them as well. I contacted them during the summer to get advice about my car's cracked windshield. I was told by a man in parts/service that I would pay way too much if I went through my insurance provider. I was told that the window replacement work with Gee would be cheaper - $500. I thought that was too much, and asked my brother for advice. He recommended that I call Pemco anyway. I did, and was told I only had to pay a $50 deductible at All-Star Auto Glass (Jamie Moyer's company).

I shrugged off the incident until this week.

I dropped off my car (on Sept. 22) for a regular lube/oil/filter and they found a problem. They thought it would be fixed by Sept. 25 or Sept. 26.On Tuesday (Sept. 26), I was asked to come by 4 p.m. to pick up the car; an all-employee meeting had been planned and no one would be available in the service department. Although I arrived on time Wednesday, I was told that the meeting had been postponed to 4:30 p.m. I told them I didn't mind waiting in the lounge for the car. About 30 minutes later, I was approached by an employee and told that another employee had left it on the "rack." That particular employee was in the meeting and never informed him. Therefore, I would have to return Thursday to pick up my car.

Since when did a company meeting take place over waiting customers?

Gee paid for the next day's rental car. I picked up my car Thursday and got half way home: my car engine overheated. I pulled over and called Gee. They told me to call roadside assistance. I waited another 40 minutes and during that time, opened the car hood. The repairman never added coolant! I coolant tank was near empty. It said on the invoice that it had been added. I had to cancel plans for the evening and wait for another rental car (which they paid for).

I picked up my car today (Sept. 28), but the service rep gave me a sappy story about how air bubbles in the coolant had caused it to drain and overheat the engine. I didn't believe the coolant story and returned home. I opened the hood and found the coolant tank was full.

How has Gee decided to go out? Oh yeah, by contacting the media to prevent damage control and save its reputation. Blame Huling and blame the misinformed and distrustful community. Blame the lack of sales. How manipulative!

With all the time I spent at Gee, I saw unhappy employees and no professionalism there. Whatever code of conduct and ethics that Huling had asked of its employees disappeared.

I'm a subscriber to the West Seattle Herald and read Jerry's story about Gee. Maybe the owner's are nice, but you couldn't tell it by the employees.

Inez Lindsey

Admiral