My check engine light had come on in my Lacrosse. The code came back as P0013 (camshaft sensor). I found this place using Repairpal and had scheduled an appointment to have my camshaft replaced. Now being a female, I'm already skeptical about taking my car to the mechanic myself. Unfortunately I had no choice this time. By the time I made it to my appointment my check engine light had gone off. I was told that they were going to charge me $120 to diagnose my car (I already had my car diagnosed which is how I knew I had a bad camshaft sensor). Well from what I know is that you can't get a diagnosis code if your check engine light isn't on (so come again). Then it was explained to me about another system that "could possibly" find stored codes but if it didn't there wouldn't be anything they could do. Eventually he took some tool hooked it up to my car in which my light came back on. This machine gave off some other code which prompted him to tell me that my vehicle had to be inspected. ***Now keep in mind I originally made the appointment to have my camshaft sensor replaced**** I end up leaving my car. I get the call later to tell me that my camshaft sensors needed to be replaced. SMH.... Like I already knew this, this is why I made my appointment. I'm now thinking to myself "You charged me $120 to tell me what I already knew" I also needed an oil change. It was going to cost me $530. I agreed to the work because I needed my car fixed and didn't feel safe waiting until Monday. Ultimately it ended up being $498. Bottom line is as a woman I was charged $120 EXTRA for what I already knew was wrong with my vehicle and had scheduled the appointment to have that fixed. I could see being charged if it was found that there was something other than my camshaft but it wasn't. So I didn't understand why if I made the appointment to have my camshaft sensor replaced am I being charged $120 for another diagnosis to tell me what I already knew. So technically if they would've fixed what I scheduled the appointment for I would've paid $378 but nope. Please shop around. There are plenty of shops that DO NOT charge for the diagnosis or they take that fee off if you decide to have the work done at their shop. I found this out after the fact from another shop. I personally wouldn't recommend this shop and I will not use them again. It's unfortunate because there are 4 other drivers in my home who now will not use this shop either. I will say the shop is clean and the staff is friendly which is why they got the extra star. I'm BIG on honesty and integrity. I don't feel I received a fare deal here. Most of all I feel taken advantage of!!! ***************************Update************************* I received a voicemail from the owner wanting to follow up on the service. To be honest I wasn't going to return his call because I was still upset about the diagnosis fee however I went out to my care last night and my check oil light was on. This made me more upset. I planned on updating this review with my bad news. Instead I returned his call. Let me start by saying I think Mark is a great guy. We talked. I explained how I felt. He listened and explained why I would've been charged. I then spoke to him about my oil light being on. Basically all it needed was to be reset. He offered to do it himself if I couldn't. We were able to come up with a resolution that I am happy with. After speaking with Mark I feel that he is a honest businessman and wants nothing more than to satisfy his customers. I've been using repair shops for the past 15 years and his level of customer service exceeds all. My experience started off rocky but ended smoothly. Southend Auto has gained another customer!
Thank you so much for returning my call back to me and explaining your valid concerns. It was great meeting you and talking to you, coming up with a great resolution. Also, thank you for the kind words, as well as trusting us with your car, as we work hard to communicate well & make your experience great in all situations. Sincerely, Mark Hanson, owner Southend Auto Care
- Southend Auto Care