I have been a customer at Don’s Auto for 15-20 years. On Dec. 15, my c... read more I have been a customer at Don’s Auto for 15-20 years. On Dec. 15, my car had a breakdown which required a multi-day, multi-thousand dollar repair. Don could not complete this huge repair before his shop closed for winter break between Christmas and New Year’s. I considered going to another shop, but a friend had agreed to loan me a car, so I Ieft my car at Don’s while he was closed. I anticipated that it would be first-in-line for service when he opened on Jan. 2. Don’s shop was swamped when he reopened on the 2nd and he chose to service other customers ahead of me. On Jan. 8 I had to return the loaned car and get a rental. I sent an email, Don replied and explained his policy: “In the time that removing, dismantling, assembling and reinstalling this engine requires, we could keep 15-20 other cars on the road.” I replied and literally begged Don to work on my car. Don defended his policy but agreed to start work on my car the next day. I should have left it at that, but in my reply I unfortunately used the words “It’s not right” in reference to his prioritizing other customers ahead of me. Don wrote back that he was reassembling my car and I could pick it up to take it to another shop. I drove the 25 miles into town to speak to Don personally, so he could hear my voice when I said that I wasn’t accusing him of being unethical. (Don is very ethical, but I believe he is wrong about the issue of prioritizing and that he has problems with communication.) I even apologized to Don, not because I thought I was wrong, but because I felt sorry for him seeing the state that he was in. He was locked in his own world and determined to show me that he would not deal with a customer who said that he did things that weren’t right. On Jan. 10, after waiting since before Christmas for Don to work on my car, I had my car towed to another shop. Don did not charge me anything.
Driving down N. Lamar one afternooon i happened to stop at the gas sta... read more Driving down N. Lamar one afternooon i happened to stop at the gas station on Lamar and sagebrush to get a drink and refuel. When i tried to restart my car the starter failed and wouldnt turn over to start my engine. i managed to get the car started which turned out to be the last time and just happpened to turn right onto sagebrush. right in front of mr cool shop my car engine failed which i concluded was a battery issue.......The owner of the shop Chuck Dyiess was in the lot and questioned me when he noticed i needed help.He looked my vechile over and concluded and informed me that a new starter was my fix. When i saw te price of $145 for a new starter my heart sank.I couldnt afford the parts living paycheck to paycheck. What a great time for this to happen.......Chuck treated me like he had known me for 20 yrs and informed me that he had a solution.......Chuck rebuilt my starter had me back on thr road inless than 1 hr for les than $45 !!!!! he saved me $100 treated me like family and made me feeel like he was geniunly concerned about my problem and helped me the best he could.i would tell anyone, that at mrcool radiator the customer needs are top priority and the world wouldd be a better place with more people like Chuck around..... Thanks Mrcool!!!
Most mechanic shops are run down, sketchy, and you are there because y... read more Most mechanic shops are run down, sketchy, and you are there because you have to be. Luckily with Vick's it isn't a bad experience. Dane, the owner, is very friendly and will work with you to get you car working. I've been coming here for two years to service my accord; everything from oil changes to "my car won't start" and every time Dane has taken care of me. His prices are fair and I haven't had any issues with the work to date. Given what most experiences are with mechanics, all I can say is I'm thrilled to have found a good, fair, shop around Austin.
