This is the second and last time I will use this repair shop. They post Christian based messages on their sign which drew me in. This last repair was a coolant leak issue which they charged $602.00 to replace the radiator, hoses and serpentine belt (which I don't think needed replaced but they suggested I replace them). With a 53% markup on parts I understand why they suggested I replace these parts. The leak as I was told was in the radiator. I never saw any visible evidence of a leak. It was my fault in authorizing the work without seeing the bill and authorizing the work without asking about my options.
Here are my complaints about this repair:
1. They did not secure the hoses that run across the radiator with the factory clamp that was very visible
2. When I picked up the vehicle (after hours with no one there) the coolant reservoir was empty and the radiator was low on coolant.
3. They changed the coolant brand from factory coolant to some universally accepted coolant brand.
Just this past week I had to add coolant to my 1996 VW Passat and I was baffled by the yellow color as the factory coolant is blue. After learning yesterday that Hi Tech changed the coolant brand in my S10 I recalled they had previously done work on my VW and I am sure they used this same universally accepted brand of coolant and I was never told. They also didn't install the bold hole covers on the engine cover after this job which when I asked him about he claimed they weren't there when they started the job, but I know they were because I notice them each time I check the engine.
After I picked up the S10 I had to go out of town and didn't get back to have them top off the coolant until a couple of weeks later. The guy who did the work didn't remember doing the job and told me I should have come back right away. When I saw what coolant he was using I questioned him and he stated "there is no way we can stock every brand of coolant so we use this universal stuff".
I also questioned the mark up in parts price. The guy said they pay more for the parts than I would. (Really?) He asked if he could make a copy of my numbers (which I took from the Napa websight with part numbers that Hi tech provided on the invoice. Finally I had to pay for the diagnosis as well as the repair. Most places will not charge the diagnostic fee if they do the work. My fault for just authorizing the work without seeing the bill.
I did get a call from the owner who told me their parts markup is in line with other shops and told me that is how they make their money. He also told me I had a lifetime warranty on all parts. I asked where the information about the warranty was and he said "I am telling you now" and stated all I had to do, nationwide, was pull into a Napa store and they would replace it for free, but he offering me nothing in writing.
I understand vehicles very well and usually do my own maintenance, but I now live in a Condo and have no choice but to have a repair shop do the repairs. I will never return to HiTech Automotive. Their attention to detail is lacking which one does not want in a vehicle repair, and they are less than forthright in communicating about the repairs. read more
