On September 1, 2026, I contacted the business to set up a diagnostic appointment. I paid a $5…read moretravel fee and a $25 scheduling fee upfront.
September 3 - First Diagnostic Visit
The technician arrived on time (billing at $60/hr) and hooked up his scanner. Because the vehicle's battery was dead, he tried using a jump starter and a booster box. When that didn't resolve it, I pulled a battery from another vehicle myself to ensure he could complete the diagnosis. He determined the issue was a bad oil pump, instructed me on which specific website to order the replacement parts from, and told me to contact the scheduler for the installation.
Part Ordering & Install Scheduling
To set up the installation, I was required to pay another $25 fee upfront alongside an additional travel fee. After placing my order, I followed up with an itemized parts list and shipping date. I was then informed I had missed a part, forcing me to place a second order (resulting in two separate shipping charges). Because the original diagnostic technician lacked the necessary tools, owner Kenny was assigned to perform the installation on September 15.
September 15 - First Missed Appointment
My appointment was set for 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Having signed a contract and paid upfront fees, I texted at 9:00 AM to confirm everything was on track.
10:30 AM, 10:40 AM, 11:45 AM: My calls went straight to an after-hours voicemail.
11:50 AM: The office called back, asking how they could help. I asked why Kenny had not arrived. The representative seemed surprised and promised to call right back.
3:50 PM: The manager/fiancée finally called to inform me that Kenny had worked on her vehicle all night and slept through my appointment. She promised to make it right by rescheduling me for 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM the following day.
September 16 - Second Delayed Appointment & Rediagnosis
9:00 AM: Appointment time arrived, but no technician showed up.
10:30 AM: I called and hit the after-hours voicemail again. Someone called back shortly after; I asked why Kenny was missing again, and she promised a call back.
10:34 AM: She called back to state Kenny was "crossing the bridge" and would arrive shortly. He arrived 20 minutes later.
While Kenny gathered his tools, I personally installed a new battery and clamps. Kenny then stated he wanted to re-diagnose the vehicle. Within 15 minutes, he declared the oil pump was fine and that the real issue was a bad timing chain.
When I asked about the cost difference--since he was there to install the oil pump previously quoted at $640--he assured me it wouldn't be very different because it involved the same teardown. He instructed me to return the oil pump and pickup tube (which I had already paid two separate shipping fees for) and purchase a timing chain kit instead.
When I asked how that day's visit would be handled, he attempted to charge me for an hour of diagnostic work. I refused to pay for a second diagnosis caused by their initial misdiagnosis, and he reluctantly conceded. I asked him to send a proper quote for the timing chain while I looked up the new parts on their recommended website.
September 17 - The Quote
I texted the business requesting the quote. Late in the day, I received a text reading: "I apologize for that wait, for the timing chain, it'll take about 3 days of labor so $1500."
September 18 - Unresponsive Management
I texted asking for Kenny--the owner who physically inspected the car and gave the diagnosis--to call me directly. Instead, I received a call from the manager/fiancée, who stated that Kenny refused to speak with me on the phone. When I questioned why the quote jumped to nearly three times the original $640 estimate after being told the teardown was similar, she claimed it required 24 hours of labor and that I was "paying for the mobile mechanic experience vs. a brick-and-mortar shop." She concluded by telling me I was welcome to call other mechanics.
A simple, direct phone call from the owner to a paying customer--who was misled, stood up twice, and directed to buy over $500 in wrong parts--could have resolved this issue internally. Instead, I am left with wasted shipping fees, returned parts, and completely unfulfilled service.
That is a travel fee $5 and $25 appointment fee for each visit. And a $60 fee for a wrong diagnosis, and a parts bill of $296.
That $416 out of pocket , no faith in diagnosis , a box full of new parts and no steps closer to repair.