BG Automotive? More like "BS" Automotive. The one star is for an oil change (since 0 stars is not…read morean option). BG Auto IS SHADY, smooth talking for sure, but A RIP OFF. STAY AWAY. This is a lengthy description, but it's not half the story. To all the glowing 5 star reviewers - check your invoices.
The problem started with their "courtesy inspection" accompanying the oil change, where half of their recommendations (deemed red flag "Requires Immediate Attention") ultimately turned out to be mostly unnecessary and absurdly expensive. That became apparent only after paying. My bad, of course, I obviously should have asked to see a detailed estimate prior to the work. The initial estimate did not provide parts or labor detail & appeared to indicate the work was part of a "complete tune up." Upon dropping off the truck, "Service Advisor"Jesse stated that Champion copper spark plugs had been factory installed on 2013 RAM 2500s, so that was best & what BG would install. Classic BAIT & SWITCH: BG charged $508.48 for a set of 16 plugs! When I challenged the bill, asking if "kryptonite plugs" were installed instead, Jesse indicated, no, the copper plugs were used... then he checked his computer & stated, actually no, in fact the [far] more expensive NKG iridium plugs were installed. "They're much better because they last up to 100,000 miles," he emphasized. I replied, "Great. BG just changed out NGK iridium plugs that had been in the engine already, with only 60,000 miles on them." The WORK WAS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. Also on the bill was a "TOTAL FEES" charge of $175.77 (yes, that specific), but with ZERO DETAIL of what those fees were for or how they were calculated. Jesse couldn't provide that detail either, "It could be shop supplies, or hazardous disposal - you know, those state regulations - it could be almost anything." Note there were no hazardous materials involved with this work, such as a tire or battery disposal fee. (Google search indicates: In Colorado, shop fees are usually calculated as a percentage of the labor cost (e.g., 5-10%) and are often capped at a maximum amount (e.g., $25 to $50). Also, Colorado statute requires the repair invoice to have some kind of description of these fees, and further, "a description of each part by name and identifying number." Nowhere on the invoice was the type of plugs installed specified, either. You get NADA DETAIL from BS Automotive. Finally, while repair shops typically mark up parts 70-100% of wholesale price, BG is marking up parts in the ballpark of 100% of retail price. (If you can pry out of them the parts brand they say they'll use, you can easily verify this with a Google search at their counter.) They should be ashamed and embarrassed for what they're charging the hardworking folks of Longmont.
When pressed to justify the charges, Jesse insisted they were competitive, "within 5% of other local repair shops." More BS. Comparing apples to apples (parts & labor only), the local dealership quoted over $200 less, the Loveland repair shop I've frequented in the past was over $400 less (obviously, checked after the fact...). If the handful of other shops Jesse quoted are actually within 5%, they are ripping us off too. Jesse would not budge on the final bill, but he did offer to comp me an oil change. As if! I had already told him I would never set foot in BG Automotive again. However, I would take a call from the BG Automotive (Owner) to provide the rest of the story about this pathetic BG encounter.
