I recently moved to a small town outside of Seaside, Oregon. I had my car towed, after stalling out on the highway at sunset just miles from my home. The tow driver recommended a couple places locally. The first choice was very backed up and couldn't get to it right away, so we decided to take it to Doc's because he sounded friendly over the phone and also said he could get to it on Monday. So I looked at YELP over the weekend and also priced different alternators, because I believed that was the problem. I was a bit concerned after reading the comments of past clients of Doc's due to the fact that 99 percent of positive comments where from travelers who complimented the shop on the ability to get them back on the road fast. The only comment that spoke negatively of their experience was a local women, who had a very disappointing experience and ended up having to go to another mechanic to repair what Doc's had refused to repair on his own work. She seemed to have spent a lot of time & energy going back to him with no resolve.
My car was there, so I was kinda stuck as to move forward. I also should mention I have been driving Volvos for over 50 years, and often did my own repairs on my 245's, but now I was driving a 1994 850 that before moving to Oregon had put quite a bit of money into the engine, and only had my oil changed in Seaside since moving to that area.
After discussing my situation and the brands of what Doc's offered with Volvo in Portland & a local Chevy dealer in my area, i was told the brand he offered along with a life time guarantee it would be most likely my best option.
So I called the shop back and told the women who answered, who I was and to go ahead and repair my red wagon with the choices of alternators that Doc had recommended. She said it would be a couple days as they would order the part from out of our area. I said that was fine, just give me heads up a day or two prior to the day that the car would be fixed, so I could have my money's together.
So I waited........i talked to her later and she asked if I wanted to replace a rubber that runs between the new alternator & the fan, and I said no, I believed that had recently been replaced and right now I could just afford the $400plus bill for the alternator replacement.
Then I waited another couple days and called. She said she was willing to replace the belt for free because it wouldn't be good to use an old belt with a new alternator. She said many things had to be moved to get to the old alternator, so that's why it was taking time.
The next day, being Thursday, Doc called saying the car was finished with a new alternator and a new free belt. i reminded him I may need a day or two to get my money together but would be in as soon as possible. That caused him to go into a rage over the phone insulting me continuously until I had to hang up.
The next morning I called to say I would be in to pick the car up. The young women asked how I would be paying and I said with my debit card. She was friendly and said great.
So a friend of mine & I drove over to pick my car up. I was nervous and hoped I could just pay for the car and leave.
I went in the shop alone as my friend waited in the his car. I arrived to a very small, cluttered office with 5 people inside. One being a tiny baby asleep tucked in a corner of the office. Doc was standing in the middle of the office talking to a women sitting on a chair on my side of the counter. As soon as Doc realized who I was he grabbed a cut belt and shoved it into my face loudly talking about " this is that belt that you said you didn't want replaced & i replaced it for FREE". He continued on his attack of my character directing his remarks to all in the room including his female friend in the chair beside me who also chimed in and insulted me. I waited and tried to get the young women over by the baby to help, as she was In front of a computer. i noticed in the chaos that the key to my car was in front of me on the counter, so as I offered my credit card I quickly picked that up & pocketed it. Then Doc raged on with attacking me and saying I would never be welcomed in his shop again. I said, I will return if this repair has any problems to take advantage of the life time guarantee you stated came with the parts & labor. He ranted on to say , no there are other shops in this area. I said there is a man with me outside, you best talk to him. So fortunately he bounded outside leaving the room silent with the women to complete her work and have me sign the papers of repair. When I went out to return to my friends car, Doc was still there talking to my friend. As he noticed me the verbal abuse continued and I too said some insulting things to him as I rushed to the car & locked myself in. My friend immediately pulled forward, saying "he best not touch my car". We then pulled out across the street to where my car was parked. As I got into my car, I was unable to shut my door,broken part hung. read more