If I could give these guys 0 stars, I would. After being referred to them by my regular mechanic as being specialists, the issue I went in with has not been resolved and, additionally, I am now also out of $230. I feel as if they took me for a fool simply because I'm a woman and don't seem like an expert on cars. I should not have to be because that is what I am paying for their expertise. Regardless, I still stated my mechanic thought that the "check engine" light was on because the coolant temperature sensor or its associated wiring needed to be replaced/checked when I dropped my car off with Toby's and that, regardless of that being the culprit or not, it might be a good place to start or something to keep in mind since my car doesn't keep warm while I drive (btw, my car warms up while idling but the temperature drops down between the "C" only once the car starts moving. Having said that is why I wasn't able to bring the car back in immediately + it having been a long weekend ahead).
It turns out it was never made a note in the file, as I discovered today when I called about the continuing problem. From the initial over-the-phone diagnostics, Toby's told me the "check engine" light was on due to some incorrect wiring and that it would go away with a quick fix. I also approved for the wiring harness to be secured upon recommendation but declined an expensive knock sensor replacement recommendation for the time being. Any parts replaced only cost $5, and a $210 total cost for the labor. That was last week.
Today, I call Toby's to tell them that my car still spews in cool air once I start driving only to be met with defiance on the issue never being brought up when the car was dropped off, which is false. I distinctly remember telling them; plus, it's hard to "forget" bringing up this issue when you've been driving a cold car in -5F temperatures this winter.
My anger is because if Toby's could identify the wiring harness and knock sensor issues (both of which were "new" issues to me) with their "thorough" analysis (kept my car overnight 2 nights when I was told it would be 1), why looking at the coolant temperature sensor was missed, WHICH IS SOMETHING I DISTINCTIVELY MENTIONED AT THE TIME OF DROP OFF. I realize mistakes happen, but Sean/Shawn told me they would still charge me another $85 in labor to look at this issue should I bring my car back in. :( He justified everything by stating that it was never made a note of in the file and that I didn't mention anything about it again during the phone call after the initial diagnostic. During the initial diagnostics phone call, I didn't say anything because I thought that they may have discovered the coolant temperature sensor/wiring to be a non-issue since they gave me a list of OTHER things that were wrong with my car and needed fixing. Having assumed Toby's to be the expert here, I thought my car was going to be okay.
Unfortunately, I just spent $230 and the inside of car is still cold while I drive in sub-freezing temperatures. Toby's wants an additional $85+ for looking at an issue that was overlooked the first time. read more