** - Over \$10,000 Wasted, Still Driving with Unsafe Repairs**…read more
Over the past year, my wife and I have spent **more than \$10,000** at **Charleston Service Center** between our **2011 Ram 1500** and **2012 Ford Fusion**. After countless return visits for improperly done repairs, I finally gave up and took our vehicles to **Oakland Service Center** -- the only shop I trust now.
Let me start by saying: **Jerry Hamner**, the former owner and intake guy, was great. He was honest and professional. But under the **new ownership**, this place has turned into an unqualified, high-priced guessing game -- and it's costing people big time.
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### **2012 Ford Fusion (My Wife's Car):**
* Brakes were replaced, but the car **pulls into oncoming traffic under braking**. That is a **critical safety failure**.
* The shop claimed it was fine -- either they didn't test drive the vehicle or ignored the issue entirely.
* **Brakes squeal constantly**, and we were told it's "just the parts," even though we were charged for **premium components**.
* As of today, her brakes are **still squealing** because we can't afford to have them redone yet -- but we will eventually, somewhere else.
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### **2011 Ram 1500 (My Truck):**
* Was told the **rear end was bent**. It wasn't. They used this to justify a **completely unnecessary rear-end replacement.**
* They tried to do an **alignment three times** -- each time it got worse. My steering wheel went from straight up to **noon**, then **11 a.m.**, then **2 p.m.**, and the **tire wear was extreme**.
* They pushed **premium parts** at **massive markups** -- I paid **\$2,600 for parts that retail around \$600**.
* They **misdiagnosed the 4x4 system**, replaced the wrong components, and only after **I figured out the actual issue myself**, did I buy the correct part and take it to **Oakland Service Center** to be properly installed.
* Now the **engine has blown**, and I'm waiting to find out from Oakland what went wrong -- because I no longer trust anything this shop did.
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### This Is Not ASE-Certified Work
Basic procedures like **greasing the back of brake pads** to prevent squeal were skipped. That's **day-one mechanic training**. I seriously doubt the current crew has **ASE certification**, and if they do, it's not reflected in their work.
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### Want Jerry's Quality? Go to Oakland.
Jerry used **Oakland Service Center** for years. That's where I go now -- and it's the only place I recommend. Charleston Service Center, under its current ownership, **blames everyone else, avoids accountability**, and is slowly destroying what Jerry built.
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### Final Warning:
If you go to Charleston Service Center, be prepared to **spend thousands**, return repeatedly, and eventually **pay another shop** to fix what they messed up. I gave them every chance. **Over \$10,000 later**, my wife's brakes still squeal, and my engine just blew.
**Avoid this place unless you like wasting money and risking safety.**
We are taking them to small claims court very soon.
