(no subject)

[cold-cold-water.livejournal.com]

hi all,

i just wanted to share my experience re: local car repair places.

i live on orchard street close to day and really wanted to leave my car somewhere within walking distance from my apartment to get a new battery put in (it died last night). so i left it at gas with a smile last night since they were open, figuring that it wouldn't be more than $50-$60. i went to pick it up today and it was $102!!! i can't believe it.

does anybody know of any reliable repair shops directly within walking distance from davis that i could use in the future? i.e. i don't want to walk farther than five-seven minutes from redbones. maybe somewhere on mass ave?

Comments

[water-childe.livejournal.com]

Gas With a Smile are a bunch of crooks. I had to file a complaint against them because they failed me for inspection over something that shouldn't have made a difference (according to the DET). After I fixed the problem they tried to charge me full freight for the inspection even though it was within the time period where I should not have been charged. They gave me a raft of crap saying how what they were doing was the law. There sure changed their tune when I showed up with some big scary looking inspector dude from the DET. They practically fell all over themselves to make me happy. Still, I don't give them my business anymore.

[water-childe.livejournal.com]

Sadly, I can't offer you any suggestions within the area you've stated.

[spatch]

Never, ever ever get auto work done without an estimate first. Never allow a garage to do work on your car without an estimate. Get it in writing. Never say "Okay, go ahead, do it" without knowing the cost beforehand. Harsh lessons to learn, and it's bad you got rooked like that, but these lessons are sadly necessary thanks to places like Gas With A Smile.

[star-stryder.livejournal.com]

This is more in the 10-15 minute walking range, but... I have been very happy with Teele Square Auto on Broadway near North Street. They have the cheapest gas around, and have always been reasonably priced and speedy. I've had a couple oil changes, 70k mi tuneup and maintenance, an inspection, and I had to have a weirdo sensor failure diagnosed and fixed. They always call with quotes and will explain what they are going to do. I have a 97 Wrangler.

I will note, their parking lot is really scary and more then once I've had to have the guys there maneuver my car where they wanted it.

[bratling.livejournal.com]

further, state law requires that a shop provide you an estimate before doing any work (beyond the initial inspection).

Fresh Pond Mobil comply with the letter of the law, but have a tendency to, ah, "create" extra work and repairs. DAMHIK. i don't recommend using them.

[nhradar.livejournal.com]

I'll second Teele Square. They are quite reasonably priced and Eli doesn't mess around. If he finds a cheaper way to fix the car, he'll do it. If you've been woefully behind, he'll call you and tell you (I had let my car go 45k beyond a scheduled maintenance and brought it in for something unrelated. He called me and said, "Dude, you need a tune-up. This other thing can wait.").
The parking lot IS terrifying, so just pull up in front of the building, leave your keys in the car and let them deal with it.

Also, Teele Square Auto consistently has the cheapest gas in town.

Be aware that they're not going to spend a lot of time on things like cleaning, though. I had some spilled fuels burning off my engine after I had my water pump replaced.

[simply-juniper.livejournal.com]

Just what I was going to say.