My van needed the radiator replaced. To repair the radiator they were $400 more than the Chrysler dealership and $450 more then D Auto Repair. On top of parts and labor for a new radiator they were going to charge $149.99 to flush the radiator. The other places did not charge an additional fee for a radiator flush to install a new radiator. When they called with the estimate they asked if my air conditioning worked. I was confused and concerned by this question, since the AC was very cold on the 96° day that I brought my van in to get repaired. They said they found a leak in the rear evaporator core and started to give me quotes to repair my AC. When I got there to pick up my van naturally I wanted to see if the AC worked. The boy that was running the counter said he could not give me the keys until I paid. I said that’s fine let’s go out and see if the AC works. The AC was barely cool and no longer works - the boy said it’s cool enough. I spoke with the manager and he was harsh, condescending and raised his voice multiple times. I asked if he was really the manager and told him I did not like how he was talking to me. After more abuse, I told him he makes me uncomfortable and that I didn’t like how he was talking to me. I would never recommend this place to anyone. It’s all too coincidental. I did speak with another mechanic that said it is rare but possible for The AC to stop working and it is possible to damage the rear evaporator core when hoisting the vehicle. And the boy behind the counter refused to give me the general manager‘s phone number or contact information.
Hi Julie- we've very sorry you didn't have a good experience with us. However, we do feel the need to clarify the situation with your van. It's not uncommon for a 13 year old vehicle with 158,000 miles to have multiple issues due to age, miles, and maintenance history. That is why we perform a full vehicle health inspection on EVERY vehicle and present our findings so you can make informed decisions about your vehicle. First, there is literally no way any other shop, especially the dealer, would replace your radiator for half of what we quoted you. We know what other shops charge and firmly stand behind our prices. In most cases we can meet or beat any apples to apples quote from competitors. We offer free loaner cars, free roadside assistance, and a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, and same day service on most repairs. Please ask your dealer and budget mechanic if they do that for you. The reason we recommend a "COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH" when replacing a radiator is to get all the gunk and contaminants out of the system before installing a brand new radiator so your cooling system performs properly and doesn't start degrading the minute you drive out of the shop. This isn't being dishonest, it's being responsible. During our inspection, we noticed an obvious leak in the rear evaporator core because the last time it was serviced they added dye to the system so the leak could be easily detected and repaired. That is why we noticed it during our inspection. We didn't sabotage your AC and it can't be damaged while lifting your van on our lifts. We wouldn't have many customers if that's how we did business. Also, we don't employ children. The Service Advisor's name who you refer to as "boy" is Nate. He's 31 years old and has worked in this business for years. We sincerely apologize for any communication issues and for making you feel disrespected. Thank you again for your feedback and have a great day!
- Honest-1 Auto Care Bloomington