I live locally, but never went to this place based on the consistently bad online reviews. However, a friend recommended Randy's when I needed my alternator replaced quickly. They fit me in the next day, which was great. The price was a bit higher than I expected, but I did not complain.
Today I went in for an inspection and to top off my front differential fluid. I arrived on time, but waited 15 minutes for them to get started because the workers (I'm not sure I would call them mechanics) were laughing and joking around. Thirty minutes later I learn that I failed inspection due to worn upper ball joints. I ask if they checked my differential fluid. They had forgotten. Another thirty minutes later "James" is back to inform me that they added 1/2 quart of fluid and he had an estimate for the ball joints. He starts explaining the different options based on the quality of parts and I see the estimate is over $1100. I stop him mid sales pitch and tell him that I am not going to spend that much on ball joints. He loses his cool, crumples up the estimate, throws it in the garbage, and tells me that I wasted his time. I explain that I know how much ball joints cost (retail $150), about how much time it takes (~5-6 hours with a lift if you know what you are doing and do upper/lower at the same time). I tell him I expected the price to be closer to $500. I also tell him the price for my alternator last fall was too high, and that I would fix the ball joints myself. That was about all he could stand. He angrily tells me that they don't want customers like me, anyway. He billed me $60 for the the failed inspection (this is standard), $21 for 1/2 quart of fluid (retail is $14/quart, so 300% mark up); and 1/2 hour labor for adding the fluid. I paid and told him I would not be back and would be writing a review about his unprofessional behavior.
I called about an hour later to speak to the owner. He wasn't there so I left a message. I also emailed him, no reply yet. I never yelled or raised my voice to during this strange encounter. I was just firm and not intimidated by his angry reaction. Luckily I only had to deal with them on the estimate, I could only imagine how things would go if I agreed to $1100 worth of work with these guys.
Like many other reviews warn, stay away from this place! read more
