If youre a Pasco County AAA member, dont assume that AAAs professionalism in handling stranded motorists is reflected in their local repair shops or their oversight of them. I have had considerable trouble at both National Auto Service Centers (Highways 19 and 52), with inflated prices, misdiagnosis of problems, pressure tactics, and rude behavior.
At their Port Richey location, I was repeatedly ridiculed by the manager, John Haas, who had the gall to call me gullible and technically ignorant, despite my being 59 years old and a Mechanical Engineer by trade. During repairs, he prefers you not remain in the waiting area. And he insists on OEM parts, doubling your parts cost, while giving you no choice in the matter, or additional information as to what hes installing and why.
Mr. Haas is a poor listener, pressures you to make quick decisions, and has a strong tendency to recommend work (over your objections) that will not solve the problem.in my case, after quoting a high-priced oil leak repair, he pressured me by saying, Come on, I have a master mechanic waiting with nothing to do (I called his boss). While completing that repair, he insisted on also replacing a cooling temperature sensor that I had already replaced twice. Then, after holding my car four extra days, he gave me just five minutes to decide on the installation of a new $600 engine computer (providing no details whatsoever as to the replacement part). He actually counted down the minutes for me over the phone. And when you second-guess or question Haas, he becomes irate, in person or by phone, as in, By God, Im a master mechanic would you like to come down and see my certificates! Once he has beaten you down, however, he is all smiles, telling you he is fighting for your business.
If you take your complaint to the owner, Harry Bergman, you will discover (too late) that he and Haas are not on the same page, with Haas quickly (and angrily) refusing anything Bergman promises. And if all else fails, Haas will run you off (as he did to me), writing on your receipt, Customer declines service and has elected to go elsewhere. He will, however, keep your money, even if the repair didnt solve your problem. And AAA will do little or nothing about it.
Avoid these people at all costs.
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