Reliable shop changed owners and ran into the ground?

[The motor guy]

How often do you think this happens? We have a local shop in the area that's well known by a ton of people, but I haven't been as impressed with them the last couple years since the dad retired and the son took over. The son is still good, but he hired a younger guy to work up quotes and I dont know he just gets a little carried away with fixing stuff. This is the guy that quoted me $4200 to replaced literally every single front end part on my 99 dodge except the main issues which were the power steering pump and the gear box. Both were worn out and leaking.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The shop, like any business, is in large part a reflection of the owner.
My brother's shop in Santa Cruz, CA did fairly well, even though my brother was a lousy businessman. When he died at 44, we kept the business per his wishes. Wrong decision. Place became a mess and finances went downhill.

Sold the business to a top notch mechanic who ran it better. He sold it to a young mechanic, who was good. His family bought it for him to help him. He did well for awhile, but then got back on the drugs and the bottom fell out.

Comprehensive Mechanics had the best reputation in town to one of the very worst.

It is now owned by another guy who is doing pretty well, I believe. The shop is in a great location.

 

[Lubener]

Do they offer free donuts and coffee in the waiting room?

 

[97prizm]

How often do you think this happens? We have a local shop in the area that's well known by a ton of people, but I haven't been as impressed with them the last couple years since the dad retired and the son took over. The son is still good, but he hired a younger guy to work up quotes and I dont know he just gets a little carried away with fixing stuff. This is the guy that quoted me $4200 to replaced literally every single front end part on my 99 dodge except the main issues which were the power steering pump and the gear box. Both were worn out and leaking.

More often than I think people realize. I had a great local place to me but the owner retired and sold it to a couple of guys. Prices went up, they seem to throw parts at problems and the scheduling lady who isn't even remotely a mechanic tried to insist that the light rust on my front rotors was an indication that I needed new ones. It's really unfortunate. Thankfully a couple of good other local places are still close by.

 

[TomYoung]

How often do you think this happens? We have a local shop in the area that's well known by a ton of people, but I haven't been as impressed with them the last couple years since the dad retired and the son took over. The son is still good, but he hired a younger guy to work up quotes and I dont know he just gets a little carried away with fixing stuff. This is the guy that quoted me $4200 to replaced literally every single front end part on my 99 dodge except the main issues which were the power steering pump and the gear box. Both were worn out and leaking.

Kind of thinking that your 99 Dodge needed that front end work after 27 years.

 

[SC Maintenance]

For your 1999 Dodge - what exactly did you ask for? The only 2 times in the last 20 years I have taken my vehicle in to a shop out of warranty I very specifically asked for them to do exactly what I wanted. For example in your 1999 Dodge I would have asked them to "replace PS pump". Work order should have been written "replace PS pump per customer request". That way if they do and the PS fixes nothing, then its on you, not them. If they won't - find another shop.

Not new - normal cycle - shop changes hands for too much money, new owner cuts corners to make up for it. You see it with any service business, restaurants being the most common.

 

[PontiacHO]

Trustworthiness in any service business is no longer relevant and most likely not allowed. Sale, sale, sale. HVAC repair, automotive, home repair, and even landscaping work leans heavily to the bait and switch. A simple repair or service quickly changes with the bogus discoveries and scare tactics. Older folks (like me), and single women are preyed upon. At least I still know my automotive stuff being in the fleet management arena my whole career. My wife’s Mercedes is scheduled for service next week. She made the appointment at the dealership. She asked afterwards, “why do they always tell me all these things that the car needs when it only has 18k miles”? My answer was, “because they are crooks.” I’m taking it in for the oil change and tire rotation only. The brake flush, 4 wheel alignment, tire balance, wiper blades, and preventative diagnostic download won’t be allowed. Crooks I say!

 

[Kira]

This was a developing scenario with a car dealership near me.
A Volvo dealership went to the son and daughter. They seemed like flakes to me.
FACT: Aside from a VADIS etc., they never updated anything in the building.
FACT: I don't know how many new vehicles they sold, but their used car shed, a charming, old-fashioned touch, was always empty.
FACT: Volvo pulled the dealership. I popped over for some T/U paint, and an auctioning company was labeling everything.
Adios Paul's Volvo.

 

[RooflessVW]

How often do you think this happens? We have a local shop in the area that's well known by a ton of people, but I haven't been as impressed with them the last couple years since the dad retired and the son took over. The son is still good, but he hired a younger guy to work up quotes and I dont know he just gets a little carried away with fixing stuff. This is the guy that quoted me $4200 to replaced literally every single front end part on my 99 dodge except the main issues which were the power steering pump and the gear box. Both were worn out and leaking.

Your content doesn't jive with your title

 

[nascarnation]

I can relate this to a local highly respected HVAC company where the father passed away and the son sold it to sharks who got to keep the original company name. They made a killing for about three years by massively overcharging (this was before social media / ratings was widespread) but eventually word got around.

 

[Donald]

If you live long enough this happens in many ways. Your doctor (you loved) retires. Dentist retires.

These days I am willing to pay the going labor rate but look for a shop that does quality work and is HONEST.

 

[The motor guy]

Your content doesn't jive with your title

It does not allow me to edit the title after like 30 minutes

 

[The Critic]

Trustworthiness in any service business is no longer relevant and most likely not allowed. Sale, sale, sale. HVAC repair, automotive, home repair, and even landscaping work leans heavily to the bait and switch. A simple repair or service quickly changes with the bogus discoveries and scare tactics. Older folks (like me), and single women are preyed upon. At least I still know my automotive stuff being in the fleet management arena my whole career. My wife’s Mercedes is scheduled for service next week. She made the appointment at the dealership. She asked afterwards, “why do they always tell me all these things that the car needs when it only has 18k miles”? My answer was, “because they are crooks.” I’m taking it in for the oil change and tire rotation only. The brake flush, 4 wheel alignment, tire balance, wiper blades, and preventative diagnostic download won’t be allowed. Crooks I say!

No warranty if you don't complete the full B service - MB is next level weird on this stuff. Check the warranty guide that the car came with, it's an eye opener. Recently had a run-in with MBUSA on this.

 

[PontiacHO]

No warranty if you don't complete the full B service - MB is next level weird on this stuff. Check the warranty guide that the car came with, it's an eye opener. Recently had a run-in with MBUSA on this.

Yes. I saw that after my rant here. I can however talk a big game!!

 

[wavinwayne]

Thankful to still have two good shops that I take my vehicles to. I hope neither owner retires, but I know they eventually will. I guess I'll just start walking everywhere after that.

 

[zzyzzx]

Not new - normal cycle - shop changes hands for too much money, new owner cuts corners to make up for it.

I suspect that this happens a lot.