I went here with a check engine light on. They're across town from me but some friends use this and the tire shop next door and recommended them because they accept "SNAP" which is a type of credit.
When I arrived I observed a mechanic park a car in the disabled parking and leave it there. Keep in mind each time I went there the disabled parking was full of untagged and without placard cars implying the shop uses it for general parking of cars in repair or repaired.
I went into the repair shop and asked for an application for SNAP to pay for my repairs. The manager 'Chris" gave me a card and information to apply. When I applied it said I was approved. But, Chris informed me they would need the car for at least a day and so I waited. Figuring I had credit that other shops accept I tried going to a shop closer to home. The other shop said they don't take that credit but another form of it. So they gave me a card to apply for the credit they take. I was denied for that other form of credit. In both instances, applying meant texting numbers to a number and then getting a link to finish applying and the link was labeled with the repair shop "inviting you" to apply.
Understand that nobody initially informed me of what kind of credit I had been approved for and which kind I applied for at Automotive E. until I spoke with SNAP multiple times and even they at first did not explain their programs. One type of credit is used for merchandise and the other for repairs. A couple weeks had passed and I was on the verge of giving up because now I wasn't sure that the shop that gave me the application took the credit I was approved for.
But, considering Automotive E also never called me back when the shop "manager" said he would and considering his condescending and dismissive tone and attitude and considering the misuse of the disabled parking, my partner and I went back to speak to the owner. But, we didn't want to speak the manager because of his attitude. We wanted to know why I was given a credit application if they don't accept that credit for starters. So we went into the tire shop and asked the woman there if she knew the owner of the repair shop next door (Automotive Experts) as we explained the situation with the credit and everything. She immediately offered to mediate and "fix" the problem and we all went to Automotive Experts. She and "Chris" began discussing my SNAP credit and she got on their computer behind their desk implying a business relationship of some kind as now she is on their computers helping me. She then insists they (Automotive Experts) take the form of credit I have and that there would be no problem. Chris appears to be in agreement with her assessment and so we scheduled the repair. I even asked several times if they were sure and pointed out I would have no other way to pay if not.
I dropped my car off and the next day it was ready so I went to use my credit. Chris began processing the payment, which I had been informed was processed different from the other form of SNAP. But then... It was declined. Apparently it was the wrong kind of credit. Chris refused to accept any responsibility for this. I spoke to the owner who also refused to accept any responsibility. At no time was any resolution offered. The owner pointed out they need to be paid but offered no solution that would have allowed a payment arrangement. At one point the owner even threatened to ask me to leave because I insulted him and his shop when I complained that the cost was excessive and I felt ripped off and, worse, without any method to pay because they don't accept credit that you apply for using the information they give you.
They are dishonest and they will rip you off. I went in for a check engine light for an emission issue (per ONStar) and was left paying 2,471 in repairs without the ability to use credit they assured me I could use. I had to borrow money from friends and had I not been able to they would have kept my car and auctioned it because they don't care if any of what they say is true. If you are low income stay away. If you are desperate they will take advantage. They know if you can't pay they can keep and then auction your car. Dishonest, rude, and disabled unwelcome. If they hand you a Snap application don't believe it or their claims that they accept it. They will find just enough wrong with your car to use up that credit and then they won't accept that credit leaving you with one less ability to pay them and, if that was the only way you had to pay them, they will callously leave you in a situation like they left me in. I will never use them again and they don't know it yet but they just lost the business of my friends who had been taking several vehicles there for years. Dishonest, hostile, unprofessional, and they will rip you off. If you don't a few thousand in cash to pay for all the repairs they suddenly will find you need, definitely don't believe that Snap application they hand you. read more