I took my car here for a safety and emission inspection. I am a little torn on the review type due…read moreto my experience, so I will list a "good and Bad."
The Good:
- They were able to get me in quickly. Many places hem and haw about inspections, but I didn't get that impression here.
- They have a phone/tablet charging stain in the waiting area. Pretty neat touch, but the cords do not extend, so forget about plugging in your device from the couch.
The Not-so-Good
- Parking? Forget about it. I have never gotten a decent spot, and usually have to park across the street at the railroad tracks. They have a VERY small parking lot that has been full each time I was there.
- My inspection failed because of a leak at the muffler exhaust flanges. Another shop inspector told me that he would never have failed me for this. I looked at the State requirements, and it seems it would, in fact, fail because of the flange leaks.
- Here is what I REALLY didn't like. In order to fix this, they wanted to replace the resonators, pipes, and mufflers at nearly $1400. When I asked if the flanges could simply be cut out and a new pipe welded in place, the guy actually LAUGHED at me and said that is not something they would be able to do. Let me be frank... I work on my own cars and am VERY good at recognizing BS when I hear it. His laughter made me feel like I asked a stupid question. At least, it was an attempt at that, maybe. I am extremely well-qualified. After he laughed at me, it changed my impression of this shop... permanently. I am livid about this, and that other people may be prone to not questioning them.
- What did I do instead? For a few dollars, I cut out the flanges and welded in pipes. Right... I said, "a few dollars." Not $1400.
After the repairs, I brought my car back, and it passed inspection just fine.
I had an opportunity to listen to some interactions while I was waiting. I am guessing a "manager" was in the lobby and on the phone while the other worker was trying to talk to customers. It was almost impossible because the manager was being so cocky and loud. I did not like that, either, because it gave the impression of cockiness and rudeness.
Would I take my vehicles back here? NO... NO, NO, NO! Laughing at my question is NOT a good response. $1400 for replacing exhaust, resonators (etc.) that DID NOT need it vs. a simple fix I did myself left a permanent negative impression about this business. Making me feel like an idiot was not cool. It left me wondering how many other people fall into this trap and blindly hand out money.
FOLKS... Ask questions... Get second opinions! Don't settle for the first answer, and NEVER allow someone to laugh at you and make it sound impossible. I'm sorry guys - No blank check today.
