We had a horrible experience at Eastmont Auto Repair in Johnstown, PA. Despite promises, the owner…read morewas rude, unprofessional, and demanded an unfair fee to release my daughter's car. Avoid this business--he's untrustworthy and takes advantage of vulnerable customers.
Long version:
On Tuesday evening, my 19-year-old daughter's car broke down, blocking traffic. With no time to arrange a private tow, the police had it taken to Eastmont Auto Repair, Johnstown, PA
She called them multiple times on Wednesday and Thursday and was repeatedly told they'd check the car and call her back--but they never did. She was also treated disrespectfully by the owner. Finally, at 3:00 PM on Thursday, the owner's wife answered. She said the issue wasn't the alternator, the car was running, and they wouldn't charge for storage since the delay was "their fault" (her words). They promised to call when it was ready--still no call.
Impatient like her mother, my daughter, Sam, called again on Friday at 1:00 PM. The owner snapped, telling her to stop calling. Frustrated, she asked if she could pick up the car after work, around 5:00 PM. He told her to come at 7:30 PM be cause he would be there at that time. Knowing his unprofessionalism, Dan and I went with her.
At 7:26 PM, she called to say we had arrived. He claimed he was on his way but insisted on doing a 15-minute test drive when he got there--his fourth check. Around 7:45- 8:00 PM, he still wasn't there. When my husband called to say we just wanted the car and no more checks, the owner responded rudely, loudly, and aggressively. Frustrated, Dan used the f-word, and the owner became even more hostile, yelling before hanging up on him. Concerned by his outrageous behavior, I called the non-emergency line but accidentally called the wrong station.
When the owner finally arrived, he was screaming, acting erratically, and called me R*TARDED for calling the wrong police station. His behavior only got worse as the evening went on. When the police showed up, he suddenly demanded $355 in cash for storage, towing, and an $85 after-hours fee. When I pushed back, he raised it to $500, said he was closed, and told us to come back Monday. He looked completely unhinged--bulging eyes, a concerning smile and inappropriate laughter.
In the end, Sam had just 15 minutes to get cash and was forced to pay $355 to get her car back. I feel so sad for her--barely an adult, working two jobs, saving for a crucial repair so her car passes inspection--only to have a grown man take advantage of her, break his word, and taking her money because he can. She was so upset she couldn't stop crying. It's been a tough couple of months for her, and it feels like she just can't catch a break.
Moral of the story:
Avoid this business at all costs. It should absolutely not exist. It casts a bad light on small business owners in Johnstown--one rotten apple spoils the whole bag. The owner is greedy, hostile, unprofessional, and preys on people in tough situations. If your car ever gets towed to Eastmont, get it out ASAP and don't engage--he cannot be trusted.
