DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO PATRICK'S.
On December 31st, I was driving to New Orleans and passing through Arkansas. Midafternoon my car suddenly broke down. Disabled on the side of the road on a holiday, there were not many options available to me. I contacted AAA and they were able to find one repair shop that was open. Patrick's in Monticello, Arkansas. Following a tow, I met Patrick and explained exactly what had happened with my car. I also told him I understood what day it was and would appreciate anything he could do for me. He confidently told me, "We're not going anywhere until you are running". Based on my description of the problem, he immediately diagnosed it as a faulty alternator. (It's been my experience that a computerized diagnostic test is performed but he didn't seem to need one). Following a few hours of work, the alternator was replaced, my battery was connected to a charger and the car was running. I thanked him and happily paid the $420.00. It was getting late so I decided to get dinner and stay at the Hampton Inn which is a half a mile away.
January 1- I prepare to leave and my car is completely dead. Being New Year's Day, there are no options available to me. I stay another night at the hotel and miss the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
January 2nd- My plan is to get my car jumped and try to drive to the nearest dealership. The AAA man immediately tells me I need a new battery. I tell him he's wrong. I tell him I just had the alternator replaced and the battery is fine. He insists it is the battery and suggests I go to O'Reilly auto parts and speak with Jamal. It is now 6:30 A.M and I am parked outside of O'Reilly's, waiting for Jamal to arrive at work. Jamal arrives and agrees that my battery is the problem. He replaces the battery at a cost of $150. Since then, the car has been driven another 4000 miles without a problem.
I have left multiple messages for Patrick regarding this issue and have been ignored. My bank has contacted him and he refused to refund my money and insists the transaction was legitimate. I was hopeful he would do the honorable thing and refund my money. I was wrong. I will pursue other avenues.
People make mistakes. Errors in judgement happen. It is how we react to them that matters. Patrick's Speed-Dee- Lube has chosen to replace a part that did not need to be replaced. Charge me $420 and not admit their mistake. read more
