I contacted Eastside Muffler because they are a full service repair facility. After contacting and visiting several places I spoke with them about a 1988 Chevy Monte Carlo belonging to my son in need of service.
Originally the car would cut off and we were unsure what would cause this problem. Upon assurance that they were competent in working on older model cars I turned over the keys to them. First I needed to have the carburator rebuilt, then replaced. Next the transmission was causing problems and needed to be replaced.
In addition my other son wanted to have his 1968 Cougar looked at, still believing the knew what they were doing we turned over this car. The Cougar seemed to have a problem shifting but otherwise was in good condition. They stated it needed a fan clutch and they completed the repair.
Here is where the problems began, please keep in mind these repairs were happening simultaneously, the Monte Carlo's repairs were complete and I picked up the car. It had no gas and we had to race to the gas station where upon arriving within a half block the car cut off. Even after purchasing a gas can and putting gas in the tank the car would not start. The shop was called, they came out worked on it to start and I was able to get it home. The car sat for a week until my son was to arrive home. Meanwhile the Cougar begins to overheat after the repair. Again the shop was contacted and the car was brought in. This time it needed some other part and there must be some leak per the shop. They took this car apart taking over a week to charge me another 240.00 for parts and services. The car still overheated, on the third time around my son became angry and demanded they put his car back together immediately. They did not find the source of overheating yet I paid almost $440. Last time around I demanded they fix this car correctly, the owner assured me they would correct the problem. I requested the car be towed as the overheating was going to cause additional problems.
The car was towed as promised but to a different shop, Eastside Muffler promised to work something out with me but never informed me car was going elsewhere. The tow and repair owner from this other company called me! Eastside's owner has avoided all my calls and has to date never called me. The problem with the Cougar - it needed the radiator replaced. Important note Eastside lost the original radiator cap (they told us they lost it but replaced it), seated the radiator incorrectly in their efforts to find the cause of overheating. Duh...
The Monte Carlo cost me $1200.00, my son drove it and believed he could drive it back to school 300 miles away. He drove it around the city and took it back for them to look at because it didn't sound right. They kept it for the day listened to his music and informed him that he needed the rear end replaced another $600. Thankfully we said no, he had the car checked by someone else and the rear end was fine, it needed oil. When he tried to make his journey the car stopped and was again towed home.
To date this car is being repaired at another shop, the problem, the engine. I also found out that Eastside also took this car to the other shop for diagnosis, who incidentally is doing the repairs informs me that they saw no reason to replace the carburetor nor transmission.
In short I have spent $1600.00 for unnecessary services, with an incompetent staff dreaming up ways to bilk me out of more money. Not one of their repairs has resulted in a functioning vehicle. I have asked them to refund me at the very least half my money but do you think these louts have responded! It is my dream to have this shop shut down. This is only the beginning of my quest, I am a mother on a mission.
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