You pull into Nelson's Imports, their building proudly claiming "Specializes in Audi, Volkswagen,…read morePorsche." At first, the staff seems genuine and friendly -- until you raise a valid question or concern. Then you're met with hung-up phone calls, outrage, name-calling, and even a slammed door.
In January 2024, they installed an Interstate battery for me. By May, it had already gone bad. In November 2024, under warranty, they replaced it with a Duracell Gold -- which their own shop notes (and my voice recording) confirm they sourced from AutoZone. After installing it myself, I expressed concern about whether it needed coding. They offered to double-check if I brought it in, confirmed it didn't need coding, and sent me on my way.
Fast-forward to this month, and that replacement battery failed testing. When I called to inquire about my warranty, I again expressed concern that the life of my battery was being affected by them not coding it into the car. Bryan hung up on me. When I called back, the shop owner, Ryan, was equally dismissive -- telling me the problem was "the way I was going about things" rather than addressing his staff's behavior.
They insisted the battery had to sit on a charger for 24 hours. That "24 hours" stretched into 26+, with no proactive updates -- I had to call them. When I finally reached someone, they claimed the battery was now magically "100% good" and had "passed the load test." When I asked for proof in writing, I got more attitude, another hang-up from Bryan, and -- in person -- no greeting, just vague shop notes (no actual load-test printout), being told to "please leave," called "the rudest person" they've ever met, and having the door slammed in my face.
They also tried to tell me my car wouldn't even start without the battery being coded -- which is flat-out false. I've installed and driven with an uncoded battery before; it just shortens the battery's life.
The only reason they even agreed to look at my battery was because I made it clear I'd go directly to Duracell for my 3-year warranty. Between the misinformation, refusal to provide proper documentation, and unprofessional behavior from both Bryan and Ryan, I'll be taking my business -- and my warranty -- elsewhere.
If this is how they "specialize" in German vehicles, yet can't even properly install and code a battery to spec, I can only imagine the quality of their bigger repairs.
