Hello! I am a 37 year old woman and I have lived around and worked at the Red River Ski Area going on three years. I was to move to Montana for a few months this summer (and return to NM for the winter season), when the exhaust in my 2016 Ford Explorer began billowing black smoke. I brought my car to JB Auto in Questa the last week of March. They ended up having my car until the second week of May. They had “fixed” one of the turbo chargers in my car, and when I drove 300 miles the check engine light came on. After another month I was informed the other turbo needed to be replaced, and after another month of waiting I was told I needed my engine replaced because it was driven on a broken turbo.

I have already paid them $4400 ($1400 for the first turbo and an additional $3000 for a used engine). At this time I owe an additional estimated $3000 for labor when they finally finish.

As I have been continually left in the dark with an end date, I was not able to work for 3 months (I had work lined up, and was told my car would be ready soon… and used much of my small savings to pay for 4 months of rent (April-July), bills/utilities, and dog food for my two large dogs. I only began working again at the ski area at the beginning of July because I became desperate and need an income. I am so grateful I can take the bus to Red River.

I am very humbly asking for ANY assistance in paying for my car once it is done. I do not have anywhere close to the additional $3k left. I will provide proof of receipt from the auto shop.

The biggest hardship, frankly, has been my inability to give my dogs adequate exercise. My neighborhood has several free range dogs that have come after myself and my two dogs several times since being stranded at home, including one owned by the mechanics who have my car. They are 7 and 9, and are used to going to Wild Rivers for at least 2 hours daily for exercise.

I have no idea when my car will be done, and I have reported this business to the Better Business Bureau because I know they will have it over the 4 month mark. But I would love to be able to pay them as soon as possible so I can finally get a second job and resume my life, and move on from this depression in my 2025.

Thank you.