Jeremias took $3500 from me to put a used engine in my old car. Once ... read more Jeremias took $3500 from me to put a used engine in my old car. Once he took possession of it and took the head off, the game was over. When removing your car and going somewhere else is no longer an option, you have the tiger by the tail. The "cost" kept increasing up to $1800 that I still (involuntarily) agreed to. ($1500 had been my target cost) The last day he told me the final price was $3100, (+ the $700 for the used, untested motor...which was BAD) without my having approved of THAT absurd figure. Many "chores" were charged as separate procedures to jack up the price. Charging hours of labor for motor mounts when the engine is being replaced anyway is one example. The engine had no oil pressure and the "engine" light was on. Smog was due in six weeks and a component was missing. I had to sell the car for junk ($49 at Pick N Pull) and I had to go to court. I won in court but he won't pay. The sheriff went for a "till tap" but couldn't collect any money because he does cash transactions from his pocket. His profile with the BBB and others was not consistent with his past life, as far as years in auto repair, etc. He knows every trick in the book. "If you give this man your ride, sweet memories will die." (slight variation of the Jim Morisson song) I have all the paperwork to prove these comments, from the greed-driven invoice from 1st Choice to the $49 receipt from Pick N Pull. In court he acts confused and thinks I should have brought it BACK to him! I'm actually a little curious to see how high his lack of shame would allow him to raise the price. Of course I regret paying the total to remove my car. I should have let him keep it, but I thought the legal route was the way to go. Well...not so much with this slick operator.
I can't believe it has taken me this long to write a review. This plac... read more I can't believe it has taken me this long to write a review. This place is by far my #1 go-to in the area. The owner is really personable and recognizes me by name. Being a young woman, it's hard to find someone you can trust to be honest with you when it comes to auto repair. A while ago, I took in my car because my battery would spontaneously die on me. They noticed the hood prop rod was rolling around in there and knocking the cables loose and just put in a little clip to keep it in place and sent me on my way, free of charge! That's what made them A+ in my book. They've always been very honest with me and very accommodating. I usually have only come in for oil changes, which are speedy, cheap and easy. My only complaint is that sometimes I drive up on a Saturday (I've moved out of the Arden-Arcade area) and find them to be closed. I'm hoping this review helps them stay open as many days as possible!
I'm selling my truck and went to these guys to work out some issues. ... read more I'm selling my truck and went to these guys to work out some issues. I needed fast service and asked them to make an exception for me on timeframe. Of course, I told them I understood if they couldn't get to it sooner than later. Mike made the exception for me and gave exceptional service too. Instead of giving that knee-jerk response so many people do of a deep sigh and a long pause to work it out in their head, Mike double checked, made it happen, and didn't make me feel like I owed him one for doing me a favor. I tried to leave him some extra cash for being so generous and he said no way and that he was happy to help. I left the $20 for him anyway on my way out because good people with great attitudes should be rewarded for going above and beyond.
