We found Oasis through Yelp, and boy, the 5 star ratings are misssssleading. Make yourself comfortable for our mechanic horror story... pop the popcorn!
Our ordeal with Chuck and his crew started in June of this year. Our VW Tiguan had had a cracked water pump a few weeks early, and Chuck and his team had fixed it with no issues. We were actually pretty impressed, and his team was very friendly.
Shortly after getting the car back, the Check Engine light turned on. We took the car back in, and Chuck ran the code and indicated it was not a big deal. He turned off the light and we went on our way. Few days later, and the check engine light was back on. After some coaxing, my wife took the car back in. Again, ran the code, and was told it was a turbo valve issue and they would call us with an estimate, but that it was safe to drive. So off we went. No one ever called. Few days later, wife's down in Chico and the whole kit and kaboodle goes down in biblical fashion-- but not too worry, we have our friends at Oasis, so surely all will be dandy!
June 26th, 2017: We dropped the car off via AAA's tow truck.
Slightly later June 2017: It was a few days before we heard anything. We called to check in, no call back. They eventually called us and let us know they were swamped and it would be a few days. This meant the wife was effectively stuck in our house 24/7 in the middle of a godless heatwave. Thanks, Oasis!
One week since drop off: We call. They say they'll get to it soon.
Two weeks since drop off: We call. They say they need to scope it with some special tool before they know what is wrong with it. They say that will be the next day. Next day, no call.
Two and a half weeks since drop off: They say the tensioner went out. They quote us $650, with hopes that "it could easily be less than that" and they just need to borrow a tool. (Wife would like to note that they actually told her $700 and that it could be MORE than that, because they still weren't really sure what was wrong with it). We never received or were offered a written quote. Two days later, they tell us that actually, they couldn't borrow the tool, so now they have to buy the tool, which will, of course, take a few days.
July 15th, 2017: Redding Police Department calls (note, not Oasis). Someone has taken a rock and smashed a window on the car. We call Oasis, they say "oh, so sorry, we'll fix it... and we should have the car back to you in a day or two!" We are told that this year the Tiguan engine was "weird" so it's a particularly difficult job.
Four weeks since drop off: Chuck and his team still don't have the car back to us. Every day or two, we get a call telling us that they're sorry and it'll just be another day or two. Often, they say they will call us the next day and just... don't. Meanwhile, the estimate price has creeped up to over $1000.
Four weeks two days since drop off aka JULY 28th, 2017: Late in the day, we get a call. Car not ready... totally fixed, but... oh yea the window is still broken. It's Friday, so they promise us, absolutely Monday... fo sho.
Guys, guess what happens on Monday? Car. Still. Not. Ready.
Plus we get a fun call stating... oh, if we actually want them to *fix the check engine light issue* then we need to pay another $150 (Ummm guys, seriously, you were going to just hold the car for a month and then give it back with the check engine issue still unresolved? What the heck kinda business is this??). For goodness sakes!
So, today, Tuesday, first day of August, we get the car back, $1200+ later. I'm honestly too exhausted after a month of BS from these fools to argue. I just want the car back. So my wife pays the bill, with a cute off hand comment out the door about "you won't hear from us again... unless the check engine light comes on again in the next 24 hours!"
Guys. Guys. Guys. Five hours later: Check engine light is back on.
I've never been so frustrated. We're filing a Bureau of Automotive Repair complaint. Chuck called my wife at 7:00pm, but she just handed me the phone, because after over a month of this, she just can't anymore. At this point, I can tell Chuck's voice from Juan's voice. I know Chuck will ramble on with excuses, where Juan will be polite and patient. I feel like I've been let down by old friends.
Let's be real: Without Google, most of us don't know a catalytic converter from a caliper. Businesses like Oasis rely on trust to keep business coming in. What I learned is that I cannot trust Chuck. I cannot trust Oasis. We will be taking our business elsewhere, post haste. We've heard good things about Richard's Automotive and O2 Motorsports. Stay tuned! read more
