My car needed the following repairs: replace brakes & brake pads, an oil change & tire rotation,…read moreand the electrical checked in the front of my car (the stereo & rear view mirror electric panel went out). I had read online that it could be a fuse or wiring issue & knew that going into it.
I called asking for a quote and after talking to the very kind receptionist who wanted to make sure my questions were answered, she handed me off to Garry directly. Garry gave me very reasonable pricing quotes for the brakes & oil change and let me know that the front electrical issue could be a few things (describing what I mentioned above) so he wouldn't know how to price it yet. I asked if they did electrical repairs and he said yes and would give me quote after the inspection. I asked for my car to be inspected for those 3 issues specifically and later discussed the pricing for repairs/to see if I would like to move forward with them & I happily agreed, to the tune of less than $300 (which I honestly think was a steal, since i was previously up charged by dealership mechanics).
After paying and picking up my car, I showed my husband that my stereo worked (I had sound! The stereo showed the time! I could do more than just eject a disk! Yay!) and that the rear view mirrors were adjustable again (Yay!) by adjusting the right mirror. I went to adjust the left mirror and it all shut off, the power to the stereo/sound/mirrors didn't work anymore. I turned the car off and on again to see if it was a fluke, it wasn't. It wasn't fixed.
I went inside and calmly let the receptionist know that all the electrical stuff went out again (with Garry sitting right next to her at his desk). I didn't raise my voice, my face was hot with embarrassment and a bit of irritation, and I let them know that the same electrical issue I had, just happened again. I wasn't happy that he said they would inspect my car and find the electrical issue cause (which i assume meant figure out if it was the fuse or the wiring DURING THE INSPECTION) and fix it--not just plug in a new fuse and move on, and they clearly didn't.
Garry said "We replaced the fuse and it worked so we can check it on Monday" I say "Okay... but the issue is that I paid for it be fixed.. and it wasn't? Can i get a note that says you will check it on Monday and fix it?" and ask several times for a written note that says that (I prefer written acknowledgment over a verbal agreement, and wanted that statement so I could hold them to a timeline if an issue were to arise) and both him and the receptionist ignored/breezed past that despite my requests. I know that it's not a normal request but it's far from an unreasonable request and if he didn't want to, he could've easily said so but instead he said "You can just bring it by on MONDAY and we'll check it??"
I say, "Okay? but I paid for it to be fixed and it wasn't so--", he cut me off annoyed, "REFUND HER, her TEN DOLLARS" like I had been begging for a refund. I am confused and say "That's not what I want..." I pause and try to clarify why I want the "paper trail" and say nervously, "It's just that.. I saw some reviews online and some of them said they've brought their cars in for service and also had issues with it after and that--they weren't fixed, so I want a paper to say that--" and Garry's face turned immediately angry. He cut me off again and told his secretary "REFUND her TWELVE DOLLARS." angrily. I started to say again that that wasn't what I cared about and he cut me off repeating himself as the receptionist grabbed cash. She handed it to me as I looked at both of them confused and said "So can I bring it in on Monday..?" and with a scowl he said "No, you won't be taking it to my shop anymore. You're NOT ALLOWED here any more, you can find SOMEWHERE ELSE to get your repairs done." I was confused and baffled, looked at him with shock and confusion as he turned to a mechanic at his desk and proceeded to ignore me. I turned to the receptionist with the same look on my face as she handed me the cash and said quietly, "I'm so sorry"
I looked at her, saying "Okay..?" and then smiled saying, "Thank you very much." and left.
I was refused service by Garry directly, and it was very likely because I mentioned bad reviews and asked for a note for accountability's sake since a verbal promise really wouldn't guarantee anything except potentially my time wasted. It's sad because I was really excited yesterday and earlier today about having a regular auto shop to go to and to have a mechanic/shop owner that I know won't up charge me because I'm a woman.
I'm not going to suggest anyone not go here for services BUT I will suggest that if you do, you PROBABLY shouldn't bring up any negative criticisms/bad reviews on sites such as Yelp/Google, which speaks for itself..
Online reviews helped me find a quick and affordable place like Garry's AND will NOW HELP YOU not get banned & refused service there haha!
