Quote:
Originally Posted by miljohnj5
One hour north of Albany NY is a good shop in Glens Falls named Evia. They have fair labor rates ($75/hour) and do good work. (518) 798-1666.
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I posted the previous message after having known the shop/front desk without knowing a particular indie there. That said, I'll give the specifics after having known them for over 2 years;
Mistake #1-
I always gave them a total dollar amount that I was willing to pay up front. This time I only told them the things I needed repaired.
Mistake #2- Given their 'decent' but never stellar past record after 2 years,
I trusted them.
Mistake #3- I did not seek anything in writing because of
Mistake # 2.
I told them my complete situation. I'm leaving town with it cross-country for graduate school and I wanted these repairs to help secure a safe trip and as preventative maintenance since I have the money from my school loan.
Snake-in-the-grass Translation; It's the last time I'll be there. I
need the repairs done because I have to have my car, plus I have the money ready on hand.
Situation- I received their agreement to replace my belts, timing chain and to check the ball joints and control arms- all assuming I'd get a quote. I dropped my car off a week ago on Jul 6. so they could work on it the next day/Mon and be done by Tues as agreed.
-I called Tuesday last week and they said they were waiting for parts which would be in Wed.- so it would be finished Thurs. and "...the car's apart and
taking up space...".
-I called Thurs. and they said still awaiting parts but it "it looks like it'll be finished Mon".
-I called Monday, they still weren't finished but "Tues. it'll be done". I won't even give the quote as of Mon., it's astronomical.
-I called yesterday, the "car's together now and will be finished Wed."/today. These people have another hour before they will close for the day and they haven't called yet. I've had to re-book all the 'week in advance' hotel reservations for my road trip. Thankfully all 3 hotels agreed to move them back one week without charge even though I booked with the 'no refund, no re-scheduling' options.
Lesson #1- Don't trust this shop for a square deal.
Lesson #2- If you find a shop you think you can trust, trust the indie
in the shop and
not the shop itself.
Lesson #3- Get it in writing and/or tell them your total dollar amount you're willing to pay. That way, you can also prioritize a list.
Bottom Line- They are the only local shop within an hour of me (that I know of) familiar with W123's. If you find yourself here, take every precaution and learn from my mistakes.