MN
Mrs. Neptune
Jul 29, 2026
I came in for a routine oil change and also asked them to check why my A/C was blowing hot air.
Before the mechanic looked at it, a woman working at the front desk told me the only reason the A/C wasn't working was because I had selected the setting that brings in outside air. That explanation was completely inaccurate. I've owned cars for many years and know how to operate an A/C. The problem was clearly mechanical.
Later, the mechanic told me a fan needed to be repaired and that it would cost about $200. Based on that conversation, I agreed to move forward because I believed that was the total cost to fix the issue.
I waited all day while they worked on my car. When it was time to pay, I was shocked to learn that the repair would actually cost over $1,800 and that the approximately $200 I had been quoted was only for a diagnostic fee. At no point was I told that I was authorizing a paid diagnostic or that the $200 was not the repair cost. Had they clearly explained that upfront, I would have declined the diagnostic because I already knew I couldn't afford a repair that expensive. I simply wanted to find out what was wrong and thought it might be something minor.
The manager's initial response was dismissive, with a "this is what it is" attitude rather than acknowledging the misunderstanding. When I spoke with the mechanic who had given me the quote, another mechanic who overheard our conversation went to speak with the manager on my behalf. The manager responded, "Don't bring an hourly employee to ask me anything," and said it in front of the employee. I thought that was degrading and disrespectful to his staff and reflected poorly on his professionalism.
The woman at the front desk was also rude. While I was trying to explain my concerns, she repeatedly interrupted me by loudly asking, "Cash or card?" It felt like she was more interested in collecting payment than listening to a customer with a legitimate concern.
To the manager's credit, after speaking with his supervisor, they agreed to waive the diagnostic charge. I appreciate that they ultimately made that right.
However, the entire situation could have been avoided with clear communication from the beginning. Customers should always be told exactly what they are authorizing and what they will be charged before any work is performed. I also learned an important lesson: always ask for a WRITTEN estimate before approving any repairs. I won't make that mistake again.
My advice to anyone considering this shop is to ask detailed questions, get everything IN WRITING, and don't be afraid to speak up if something doesn't seem right.