Seen a Rogue on the loose? Get in touch with our Roguemeister: JOHN SCHRAG jschrag@wweek.com (503) 243-2122 FAX: (503) 243-1115 Earlier this summer, clumps of raw human sewage materialized outside Foreign Engine Service, a car repair shop on Southeast Johnson Creek Boulevard owned by Michael Onstott. Whether the waste was dumped by angry customers picketing the establishment, placed by Onstott to deter the protesters or simply rained from the sky, it's obvious that something at FES stinks to high heaven. According to the state attorney general's office, Onstott's business has some bad blood with former customers, with twice as many complaints this year as any other auto shop in Oregon. Andrea Maier and Joe Jean say Onstott billed them $1,775 for installing a new timing belt and water pump on their '95 Mazda MX6, charging for unnecessary parts and storage fees when FES put a mechanics lien on the vehicle. Kristy Hinds says Onstott bullied her into a series of questionable repairs totaling $3,200. They're not alone. The attorney general's office has received 43 complaints about FES since 1994. More than 40 former customers recently signed a petition protesting Onstott's business practices. This summer, an angry mob took to the streets, picketing FES with signs reading "I Got Ripped Off" and "Scam Auto Repairs." Onstott is skeptical of their claims. "We provide a heck of a good service here," he says. "I always help these people." But Onstott's customer service record has been misfiring for some time. In 1995, the attorney general investigated FES for alleged overbilling, extra repairs and false or misleading estimates. Onstott ended the inquiry by promising to improve his record. Two years later, 16 disgruntled customers brought a class-action fraud suit against FES. Onstott settled out of court, paying a $5,700 fine and signing another agreement with the attorney general. "We have a long, long history with them," says Jan Margosian of the attorney general's office. "You have a business where customer service isn't at the top of their list and because of that, there seems to be lots of problems." But FES may soon be running on fumes. All summer, state investigators have been interviewing complainants and gathering witnesses in preparation for another showdown.