My experience with Strauss Discount Auto in Parlin, NJ reminded me of Lemony Snickets novel, A Series of Unfortunate Events. My van broke down on Sunday, 1/31/10. Since I was from out of town, I left it to the tow guy to bring me to a reputable mechanic. I was towed to Strauss Discount Auto about 4:00 P.M. At first I was told that my van would be serviced immediately, but that did not happen.in fact, after leaving my van in their parking lot over night, I arrived back at 7:30 A.M. Monday morning. I still had to wait for vehicles ahead of mine to be serviced.
At about 9:00 A.M. My van was brought into the bay. At 12:00 noon I still did not have a complete diagnosis of the problems with my van. I was told that the mechanic who operated the super computer which read problem codes would be in around noon. After an hour or so I was informed that my van needed a new battery and alternator, among other things. Since my original battery was still under warranty I was informed that as long as it was defective I would be issued a refund by the seller. The mechanic at Strauss confirmed to me and to person at the store where I purchased the battery that it was indeed defective. Time was wasted with the mechanic doing things other than repairing my vehicle. At about 8:00 P.M. (more than 12 hours later) it was finally ready for a test drive. It did not pass due to misfiring problems and was brought back into the bay for further repair. The new problem was diagnosed and an additional $180 was added to my bill, bring it to a grand total of $1,039.00. Over an hour went by while the mechanic fixed the new problem. When I finally got in my van to go home, I heard a squeaking belt, clanking, and other odd sounds from under the hood. The Service Engine light came on and the check gages light. I initially reported the lights being on to Strauss at the very beginning of the intake process. The store was closed so I could not go back. I prayed that I would make it home okay and not be stranded again! I called Strauss back Tuesday morning to inform them that the battery which they said was defective was not. It was tested by the store where I bought it and they said it was perfectly fine. They took it back anyway and gave me a full refund and recorded the reason as customer didnt need and not as defective. I told Strauss about the squealing belt and other sounds from under the hood and the service engine soon, etc. Their response was that the van was brought in as undriveable and that they did what was necessary to get me back on the road! They apparently knew there were other issues with the van but they seemed to justify themselves by saying that what they did to get the van drivable and back on the road warranted $1,039 in parts and labor and taking over 13 hours to do what should have taken about six or seven of work. I would never recommend this place to anyone. For time wasted, incomplete diagnoses, shoddy workmanship, inflated charges, lame excuses and straight out lies, I will never return to Strauss. The lady I spoke to this morning on 2/1/10 to report these problems told me I could take it back to a local Strauss Discount Auto. I thought to myself — not in a million years! I called my local mechanic and arranged to take it in ASAP before I become stranded on the road again! Note: I should have asked them if charging me for a new battery to replace an absolutely perfect one is also their idea of doing what is necessary to get me back on the road.
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