Tri-City Auto Warning: Dishonest Service, Scammers, Voided Refund, and Vehicle Put at Risk"…read more
It's rare that I leave negative reviews, but my experience with Tri City Auto was a complete nightmare. They charged me $773 for faulty work based on a diagnostic they never properly performed. I was told my Q3 Audi needed a thermostat--only to later learn it didn't.
The part was ordered incorrectly three times, delaying repairs. I was then told by Jennifer McCormick, I should be grateful she did not charge me for their mistake because it cost them money. My car was initially promised back the same day but wasn't returned for two days.
The day after pickup, my car wouldn't start, I was able to get a battery jump, to make it to Jiffy Lube (less than 1 mile away) for a battery replacement.
Within minutes the dashboard lights lit up, smoke billowed from under the hood and fluid poured from the bottom of the car. Jiffy Lube discovered the intake hose hadn't been properly reconnected--posing serious safety risks to me and others as I was about to travel out of town.
Tri City agreed to tow the car back and offered a loaner, which was the only positive experience. They eventually admitted the thermostat wasn't ever needed and said they'd issue a refund. The owner can also express sometimes things just happen and things can go wrong.
However, the refund receipt was vague, and when I asked for clarification, shop supervisor Jennifer McCormick responded unprofessionally--handwriting unclear notes on the receipt. I followed up via text, simply requesting confirmation of the refund details. Within minutes, Ken McCormick, the owner, called me with a hostile tone, stating, "I already told you what the refund was for." Despite having printed documentation and screenshots of the initial refund, Ken and the Tri-City team ultimately reversed and voided the promised refund transaction.
I had to take my car to another repair shop, where the technicians expressed serious concerns about the work Tri-City performed. All dashboard lights are now on, and there appears to be additional electrical damage. I've already lost over a week of access in my car, now using LYFT and incurred more than $1k in additional repair costs--potentially even more.
Tri City Auto is dishonest, unethical, and extends dangerous. I would never trust them with my vehicle again and strongly advise others to avoid this shop. what they are doing to people is so unfair and I would not wish this treatment on anyone.
