Les Schwaab
Grossly overstated, unnecessary repairs

Called and later took our Olds 2002 van with 84,000 miles on it in for front brakes. Spoke with four different people during that process. Explained to each one that the brakes needed work. Did not ask for anything else, as van was fine.

Left van for inspection. When I returned, mechanic said "No body was clear on what was wrong with the vehicle, so I did a full inspection." Then he applied fear tactics (talking in a very worried voice), telling me there was a great deal wrong with the van, and making it sound like it was falling apart and unsafe to drive. The work he "strongly recommended" came to almost $3,000. I said I would need to talk to my husband and would get back to him.

Happened to mention the issue to some friends who work on cars, and they immediately said that these kinds of shops (LS) are known for doing this because their mechanics are on commission (don't know if that's true, but they sited examples of how female friends of theirs had been taken advantage of). They said that considering the year of the van, they highly doubted there could possibly be much "ready to go out, " and suggested I bring it home and let them check it out.

When I went back to get the van, the mechanic gave me print outs of the three pages of detailed repairs he'd originally "highly recommended" be done, but this time he back-peddled and said that "really" only the brakes needed replacing, and the other $2,000 in repairs could be done later.

My friends drove the van and said it was fine except for needing brakes.

Took the van to another shop across the Hwy. From LS (I probably can't put their name in here, but if you're looking for a GREAT, HONEST mechanic, there's one next to Alfy's Pizza on the other side of the Express Lube). When I told them my story, they were not surprised.in fact, while I was sitting in the waiting room of the honest shop, I heard the manager talking on the phone to another person who'd brought their car in, and telling them that he didn't know why LS had said his something-or-other valve was faulty and needed replacing, because they'd inspected it and it was perfectly fine! When he hung up I commented, and he shook his head and said it was a frequent occurence, and that the sad part was all the customers that get ripped off at LS because they believe them. Hard to believe they're still in business in a small town!

After a full inspection of my van, the honest shop said it needed nothing but new front brakes, which they replaced in an hour with top-quality parts at a great price.

This is the first time I have ever taken the time to report a business, but it seems like the right thing to do if it will spare someone from being taken advantage of by LS.

Company: Les Schwaab
Country: USA
State: Washington
City: Monroe
Address: 19134 State Rt 2

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