From start to finish I invested 15.25 hours into this endeavor, since I needed to drive about 2 hours each way.
I arrived as instructed (I was told between 7-730, which I did). I was the third vehicle in line. Id called the day before for possible shocks. I had told Daniel I didn't want to drive that far and not get my radiator flushed as it had bad fluid, but he assured me this wouldn't be a problem if Id get there bright and early.
Between 7:30-3:00 I sat down, and waited. I was told they would be charging me for a full inspection upon arrival. I had not asked for that but If they were going to add that on, I felt any necessary work that could be done that day would be great to get done.
At 7.5 hours (3:00 pm), I needed to get a bite to eat. I walked until I found something. I received a call at 3:34 p.m. I asked if they had flushed the radiator and was told "not yet", but they planned to still do that and to get the fuel injectors cleaned that day. I thanked him and walked back to discuss the rest.
When I got back About 15 minutes later I waited in line to talk with Daniel. He would begin telling me what needed to be done, but kept stopping. By 4:30 (9 hours since I checked in), I leaned he had called off the radiator flush since it would take 3 hours. I was so exhausted that I began crying. I told him Id been there when he told me to be there. Id watched people come and go all day long, and didn't complain once but now he was trying to tell me Id need to drive back with my bad radiator fluid?
Then before i could say anything he added some humiliation and said loudly, "I just saved you 2,000.00; you should be grateful since noone but me knows you can convert that shock system!" He assumed my time was not valuable.
Maybe because the vehicle Id brought in was 15 years old, and not one of my new ones or not one of my classic cars - he put me into a poor person category? I was a big ticket item for these folks. With shocks and tires Id be in 5-6,000 and was ok with that.
I told him I could care less about saving 2,000.00 at this cost....I came in under the presumption they would not send me back on the road with my radiator in bad shape, and would have at least gotten that done.
Then he said in with irritation, "you want your radiator flushed? Thats important to you?" I said "yes." He said, "fine we will get it done." I told him I didn't want it done half way so if no time it is what it is - that I also didn't wish to cause anyone to stay late. He said "nope we will get it done." He was irritated with me. I had not even bothered them all day - trusting they were working on my rig and he was irritated with me?
In the end, he called me over at 6:20 pm to say it didn't take 3 hours so I could go. God I hope it was done right at an hour and a half. Ill know soon enough I guess. The cost of the day was just shy of 500.00.
I didn't even get an inspection report. Nothing was printed yet I paid for that inspection. I have his hand written notes of the findings which amounts to about 10 words.
I asked him about this "specialized shock knowledge." He said, "yeah it wouldn't be right for me to not tell you." He gave me the minimum (not the actual parts Id need, a phone number, etc). What he didn't know is I had made a couple of calls to my hometown while waiting on that flush. His knowledge is not at all specialized.
Where I'm from they do this thing known as "making appointments." When its your turn, no one comes before you.
The arrogance of this man to think Id return a week later to have him do all of this over was striking. I wonder how he would feel if made to wait 11 hours for a 479.00 radiator flush?
In the end it was somehow me being rude since I should be grateful for a tip he refused to share with me unless he was allowed to do the work a week later. A secret noone knows about but him
My the time I got back home it had been a 500.00 ...15.25 hour day.
I was the 3rd rig in...before doors even opened, They had no time, and didn't apologize once for pushing me off all day long. Very bad experience. read more