Beware of this deceptive automotive shop . Based on an ad on a local ... read more Beware of this deceptive automotive shop . Based on an ad on a local magazine advertising lower car repair costs than the dealer, I took one of my European made cars to this shop. It advertised lower labor rates than the dealer and original OEM parts and same diagnostic equipment as the dealer. Not a difficult decision to make on giving it a try. Originally I was content with the repairs performed since it was 20 to 30% lower than the dealer. Based on the latter, I decided to take my second European car there as I had hit a big pothole in the city on the front left side. The driving did not feel right. European Repairs diagnosed the front right side was bent and needed to be sent out to another party to straighten it up. I was surprised since the left side wheel/rim was the one I hit the pothole with and felt was out of line but felt that the shop personnel were the experts and gave the OK to fix. After a few days passed I picked up the car and the driving was same or worse than before on the left side front wheel. Took it back explaining my concerns to the owner who stated that he would look into it and let me know. Not hearing from them for a few days, I left several telephone messages asking status but no return calls received. Showed up personally and saw my car "abandoned" on the lot completely ignored and covered in snow. Finally the owner stated that the problem was the shifting of the belt inside the tire "possibly due to hitting a pothole or going over a curb" (wasn't that the reason I had taken the car there?) and needed to purchase new tires. He made sure to state that the issue was the tire since the provided front-end alignment chart was fine and left front rim straightening had been necessary. They would not show me evidence of an outside order for a wheel/rim straightening. Curiously, the assistant later told me that on discussing the issue with the owner, the left front rim was the culprit. Based on above, I questioned the owner as to the reason(s) he had not originally diagnosed the new found issue to which he admitted that he had not test-drive the car after the original repair. Based on the no return calls from them, and the owner's and assistant's contradictory answers, on which wheel was the one repaired, I grew suspicious of the whole story and their real intentions/deception intentions. Before leaving I made myself clear to the owner that I had grown hardly suspicious on their service, their poor handling of repairs and the after service process to which I reserved the right to contest their work. Took the car, which I should have done from the first place, to the tire specialist and they diagnosed the tire, which had been switched to the right front side, was faulty and no signs of any rim straightening having been done on any of the rims. They re-balance all the tires and no more issues. No charge. I also noticed that the In/Out odometer readings on the invoice were higher than what it read on dashboard. In addition, some of the repairs on my first car are re-surfacing after 9 months, which was told, are typical when no drive testing has been done after the repairs. After what I went through, would not take the car back there.
The service is great. Repairs are always done fast and they are always... read more The service is great. Repairs are always done fast and they are always within budget and also Scott is the best auto tech. to find and solve any car problem you have. School House Auto is the best repair shop ever and once you see how good there service is you will want to continue to bring your car to them for all repairs and services.
Just wanted to share my quick story...I was traveling from home (Rutla... read more Just wanted to share my quick story...I was traveling from home (Rutland, Vt) to my friend's house in Niskayuna, NY on Friday, August 8th. When I was 1 hour and ten minutes into my trip my car started to feel like there was some hesitation. Then I could smell that terrible rubber smell and I was like "seriously"? I pulled over at the Fire station just to check things out. Now I only checked the driver's side tire because of an incident that happened long ago with the caliper sticking. But nothing. So I continue on down the road and things aren't getting any better. I just happened to see a garage on my left with the doors open. I had driven by it and had gotten to my first light and suddenly I was up in smoke....Front passenger side. I pull over and I'm in panic mode. I have no one with me except my little dog and friends and family are an hour or so away. Now I am really anxious and panicky. I turn around and go back to this garage " Combs Automotive" . As soon as I walk in, I explain my story and I apologize that it is now 5 pm on a Friday and most people would be closing up shop to enjoy the weekend. But not Krissy and Chris. They took the time out to help me and "Big Red" (what I call my car) so that I would be able to continue my trip. Now I could have turned around and gone home but it was a pretty special weekend for me and a couple college girlfriends. So it was important for me to continue on. Chris did what he could at the time to get my car in working order and I was so grateful. Krissy kept me and my dog company in the nice cool office. After almost an hour, I was on my way and told them I would check in on Monday to see if they could fit me in to their schedule to replace the parts that had to be fixed completely. On Monday, I was told to come in around 3:30 pm. Given my OCD (lol) , I left Niskayuna at 2:15 pm so that I could get to Gansevoort early just in case parts had to be ordered. I rolled into Combs Automotive at 3 pm and I was on my way home at 4 pm. I know I said this was a quick story, but boasting about a great business should never be a quick story. I wanted to let all my friends know and Krissy and Chris to know that I appreciated the wonderful service I received and that you two are the friendliest people I have ever met in the auto repair service. I would recommend anyone in the area to choose your shop for service and to anyone who finds themselves in a pickle~ like me~ to stop and see you. Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hope to see you again soon! (on better terms) LOL Sincerely, Jodi Gibeault Rutland, VT
