Tony's Little Shop of Horrors (a.k.a. Sandy Lane Auto West)
This is for Sandy Lane Auto West located in Edmonton.
Tony's Little Shop of Horrors (a.k.a. Sandy Lane Auto West)
Starring:
Owner: Tony
Service Advisor: Chris B.
Tech: Jon
I took my car in for maintenance on October 24, 2024. I made sure that Chris B. knew how protective I am of my car.
Bill came to $2,648.06. When I went to pick up my car the next day, the hazard lights were on and flashing(?!). By the time Chris B. and I went outside to have a look at it, the lights were no longer on, or flashing. Then before I left, the convertible top would not go down(!). It was determined that there was a problem, with the micro switch, that is located where the rear deck lid is. They fixed that before I left. Chris B. attributed it to a 'coincidence', that the micro switch stopped working, while in their shop. They wanted me to leave the car with them over the weekend, so that they can make sure it is fixed, but I really wanted to drive it, as it was going into storage soon.
I made another appointment, for November 8, 2024, as there was a problem with the driver's side light. But the problem with the micro switch, returned on October 28, 2024, so they will address that as well, when I take my car in on November 8, 2024. But on November 4, 2024, I noticed three sets of finger marks, and other scratches, at the rear, that weren't there before. Two of the inches long finger marks, were made by 3 fingers, and the other one by two fingers. I was not able to remove any of the marks or scratches myself. I believe I know what happened. The rear deck lid was slammed down so hard that it damaged the micro switch. To do something like that, to someone's prized possession, is careless, bordering on negligence!
They fixed my light issue as scheduled on November 8. They also had their body shop manager, take care of all the marks/scratches, that Jon left. I brought it in for an issue with one light, but they told me that two lights were out(?!). Must have been another 'coincidence'. AND I noticed on the work order that once again, Chris B. had Jon work on my car again(!). When I asked him why, he gave me some lame excuse that it was Jon, who worked on it initially, so it was assigned to him. Or something to that effect. No mention of the agreement that we had, that Nathan was supposed to be the only one, who touches my car going forward.
Bill came to $1,043.79. They took care of $836.56 (under warranty) for the micro switch issue. So I paid the remaining $207.23. I get home, and saw that once again, more damage was done. Same type of finger marks, but this time it also looked like something sharp cut into the paint. Like a sharp tip point touched the paint. On the driver's side door. I informed Chris B. about this, and said that I will return in the spring, to have those latest marks addressed. Next thing I know, I see that the owner Tony, had tried to call me. I called him back, expecting that he was calling, to apologize for the sh*t show, his employees have put on. Nope. Blah, blah, in his 30 years in the business, blah, blah, has never come across something like this. Tells me that this has been like a 'bad date'. Said that they will fix the mark and touch nothing else. And that he doesn't want me as a customer after that(!). I don't remember the exact words that he used.
Tony, I would like to know what exactly it is, that I have done wrong throughout?! All I want is for my car, to be worked on by a competent tech, and not have to worry about marks, on the car afterwards. Or new problems to develop while it is at your shop.
At no point have I been anything but polite. I did not raise my voice, I did not disrespect any of your staff, I did not use any profanity. Is that too much to ask, Tony?!
I spent close to $3,000 in a two week period, only to be told by Tony, that he doesn't want me as a customer!
And Chris B., those last two marks were NOT there before. I don't care, that you think that they are rock chips, that were there before. So one of us is a liar. Zero stars! There's not enough space to leave a proper review! In short, I spent almost $3,000 there, only to have their mechanic leave marks on the paint. Not once, but on TWO consecutive occasions! The Service Advisor and I had an agreement that only the supervisor would work on my car. SA broke his word and assigned it right back to the mechanic who made the marks. And to add insult to injury, the owner no longer wants me as a customer. Not that I would have gone back for a third time anyway!