Unethical “CROOKS!”
I took my 1972 Cadillac here in June to do a performance test and to address a “small” coolant leak.
I was quoted $495 just for the performance test. Now to me that was ridiculous but I went along with.
A few days pass, I get a call from “Nino” explaining how they “didn’t”need to do the performance test because the car seemed to be running “great” they just adjusted the carburetor. Now as for the coolant leak, they recommend a “repair” to the radiator for $400 or brand new one for $1,200. I opted for the repair. I made it clear to him I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on this car because I might be selling it in the near future.
Nino called me about a week later saying the car was done. I asked what was my tab. This guy said $2,600 after taxes! I was floored, the old me would have punched him in the face if I was there. How in the hell do you go from $895-$1,000 to $2,600?
So he took it upon himself to put in a brand new radiator which was $1,200 that I did not “APPROVE” him to do, and they charged me the full $495 for a performance test that didn’t happen, on top of that $700 to remove and install the new radiator.
Now I assumed since they didn’t do the proper performance test which would have checked compression and made sure the internal workings of the motor was good, then I wouldn’t be charged the “full” $495 that’s why I “agreed” to pay the $495 because I wanted to be sure I had a proper working engine.
I was disgusted and told them that I didn’t appreciate being charged for something I didn’t approve them to do. I came in and talked to one of the owners and he didn’t seem to care and made a statement “oh I’m sure they did the performance test.” And didn’t offer any ethical solutions.
So in the end they took off a few buck and I paid $2,300.
!!PLEASE!! Don’t take your car to this place, they need to be fair, honest and responsible for their actions!
Hi Don,
We are sorry to hear you were disappointed with the service you received. However, many of the claims you are making here are patently false. We would NEVER just “take it upon ourselves” to make a decision on how to proceed with work to be performed on a customer’s vehicle without approval.
As for the coolant leak, 2 possible scenarios were explained to you. Once we removed the original 1972 radiator, it would be sent to a specialty shop to either repair/patch it, which would cost around $400, OR it would need to be rebuilt and re-cored, which would cost about $1200, and that determination could only be made by the radiator repair shop once they assessed it. This was clearly explained. Although now it seems you didn’t understand, you did in fact approve the work. We don’t make decisions for you. As for the performance test, our highly qualified technician conducted a thorough evaluation which found that the carburetor needed to be adjusted to improve engine performance and resolve the sluggishness and hesitation complaint you mentioned when you brought it in. This assessment was much more than simply adjusting the carburetor and it did in fact resolve the problem.
When you came in to pick up your vehicle, it was clear you were upset about the price. I understand and respect that. Life is expensive and we are all just trying to make it happen and want the best value for our money. That is what we always strive to provide - the best service and the most value. Nino, our service advisor, was not in at the time and since you had been communicating with him, I suggested you come in or call and talk with him the next day when he returned so we could come to a better understanding and make any other adjustments as necessary. In the meantime, we did reduce the price for you, and of your total bill, more than half went to the radiator shop. Instead of talking with Nino, you wrote this inaccurate, misleading review. Our aim is to make sure you are satisfied and we didn’t fully have that opportunity. We were never trying to get one over on you or charge you more than what was fair and competitive. We were just trying to help you. Please feel free to reach out to see if there is any other resolution we can come to offline.
- Burrough & Sons Automotive Inc.
