This was my second experience with European Automaster. My first visit was very positive--Chris was…read morepersonable, and the work on my car was completed well. While there were moments of informality, I initially overlooked them because the service itself met my expectations.
During that first visit, the conversation did shift into political and religious topics, which I found unexpected in a business setting. While I respect that everyone has personal beliefs, I prefer interactions with service providers to remain focused on the work and maintain clear professional boundaries.
My second experience was notably different.
Approximately six weeks later, when my check engine light came on, my son brought the car in for a diagnostic. From the initial phone interaction, the communication felt noticeably more rushed and less engaged than during my first visit. This tone continued in subsequent interactions. When the car was picked up, the exchange felt brief and somewhat dismissive, which was a clear contrast from the prior experience.
It may have been communicated that only a diagnostic could be performed at that time; however, the conversation felt rushed, and that limitation was not clearly understood, which contributed to a disconnect in expectations.
A diagnostic report was provided, and we were charged $154. However, no repair was performed. We were informed that he was too busy to complete the repair, would not be available the following week, and would be traveling for an extended period. The check engine light was reset, but the underlying issue was not addressed.
During that visit, we were also given an estimated repair cost in the range of $5,000-$6,000. After seeking a second opinion from a mechanic I have worked with for years, I was advised that the issue appears to be relatively minor and not expected to be a high-cost repair. This difference in assessment raised concerns for me.
Additionally, I observed visible political items within the business, including in the office and restroom. While personal views are of course individual, I found this to be unexpected in a customer-facing environment and not reflective of a neutral or broadly inclusive setting.
I also asked directly whether the change in interaction was related to our prior visit. While I was told it was not, the overall experience felt inconsistent compared to my first visit.
As a result, my confidence in both the consistency of service and overall professionalism has been impacted. This is disappointing, as I initially believed I had found a shop I could continue working with. Based on this experience, I will not be returning.
