Where do I even start. How about with unauthorized work. I brought my vintage sports car here to have two catalytic converters put on. In the past my experience was good here with the same model car (but 6 cylinder version). This time the guy started complaining about time so I said I would give him 3 hrs to do the work and come back before he closes. I get back 3 hrs later and the car has two long pipes welded on which I did not ask for. He never called me. My cell was clearly listed on the receipt. Long story short I was not getting out of there without paying so I paid an extra $80 for something I did not need.
I was charged $50 per weld which is astronomical, the guy next to me ask him to repeat the price he just gave me. This guy then smartly left. I stayed to have the work done, thinking at least I would be getting good work done as my last experience was positive. Not the case. The welds looked like they were done with a 90 amp Harbor Freight flux welder. On top of this, as I was driving away I here extremely loud clunking sounds coming from the bottom of the car. He mentioned welding the cats differently then they were and I knew this was why they were hitting. It was too late to turn around so I came back a week later.
The receipt says 90 day warranty on service. I was thinking he would just re-weld the cat that was hitting the bottom of the car. It was very obvious what needed to be done. He said he could not fix it and that it was impossible to repair without him selling me one of his own cats and charging me again. Keep in mind, these are the exact same model cats that just came off and worked for 5 years without issues. He also checked and said they were the right cats for the car. I asked for a refund given the high pricing and he refused. I was not getting anywhere with him so I am left with no choice but to go somewhere else.
I went to a shop in San Francisco that fixed his screw up for $50. I am now out $350 for 4 welds and 2 pipes I did not authorize be replaced, or even need replaced. Then another $50 to fix those welds. So in the end I paid $400 for 4 welds.
All to think I would save a few dollars if I stood on the sidewalk with crack whores, drug dealers and gang members in a shady neighborhood in Oakland. I didn't even get a discount, let alone spared being ripped off with parts I didnt ask for, paying top dollar for crappy work, and not having the place honor their service agreement. I am also a repeat customer who gave this place their first positive review.
I am very sorry to anyone else who may have come here as a result of my previous positive review. It was a simple two weld job at that time that I guess I got lucky on. Not so lucky this second time.
I am still in shock. This place not only lacks any type of skill, they could potentially destroy your car by just replacing a catalytic converter. I am afraid to look at the heads that have taken a beating as the cat smashed up against the bottom of the car putting pressure on the manifold.
If they honored their warranties and had cheaper rates than maybe you could justify taking a chance here. I hate giving a review like this but it is not ok to screw customers and then not honor the warranty when you are clearly at fault. While at the same time lack the skill to even go near a car with any sort of tool.
AVOID THIS PLACE! read more
