Arlington Auto Care, Inc.

Review: I took my 2001 [redacted] to Arlington Auto Care on June 26 for a yearly inspection. Prior to this date I had no complaints regarding the condition of my car. Arlington Auto care informed me that in order to pass inspection I would need to replace the engine and air conditioning serpentine belts as well as replace the headlights. I was quoted $200 for the replacement of the belts and $700 for the replacement of the headlights. I paid for the belt replacement but declined the headlight replacement. I was told the cost of headlights would be $500 and installation would be $200. I independently bought new headlights for $130 and installed them myself. When I returned a week later on July 9 to have my car re-inspected I was told the air conditioning belt had not been installed properly. I overheard the inspector tell the mechanic that it looked like my belt had been installed with a crowbar and that it was on backwards. Arlington Auto Care attempted to charge me to replace the belt until I reminded them that it they had been the ones to install it. During this installation process I was also told that my engine balance was broken and had been the cause of the air conditioning belt to need repair. When I inquired how the balance was broken (as it was not broken prior to them installing my engine belt) I was ignored. On July 15 my air conditioning belt broke for a second time. When I took my car to Arlington Auto Care they refused to fix the belt until I paid for a new balance. Again when I inquired how the balance was broken immediately after the installation of my belts, I was told it was a coincidence. My fiance later called Arlington Auto Care to gain more information and without admitting fault, they agreed to install the balance free of labor costs.Desired Settlement: I have two grievances against Arlington Auto Care. First, I feel they grossly over quoted the costs for a headlight replacement. Second, I believe they broke the engine balance when replacing the belts and should therefore be held liable for the replacement.

Business

Response:

I have already replaced the harmonic balancer on this car for [redacted]. I showed her that the rubber was decaying on the balancer . Dont understand what the $50.00 in dispute is for ?

Consumer

Response:

Review: Someone or Some of the staff added some reddish liquid that could be oil to the oil in the engine of my car without me making a request. I took my car in to fix a slow leak on my right-hand rear tire, person told me it was going to be ready in 1.5 hours to fix the tire. Since I work nearby, I left the car. I called to check on the car at 11:40 am (almost 2 hours later); they put me on hold, five minutes later the person tells me that the car will be ready in another 1.5 hours! I waited until 2 pm. I went to pick the car...the job was not done and now they (about 5 men) are telling me that there is white smoke come out of my car (the tailpipe), that whoever changed the oil last added to much oil (I have always gone to the dealer for maintenance, I have all records, and the last scheduled maintenance was about 2 months ago and there was nothing wrong with the car!.) The manager could not be disturbed, he was on the phone! The other individuals, just stood there with a dear and the head-lights look on their face. After a while, another young man that apparently did not know what was going on joined in, but he at least offered to show me and did work for me (which now included changing the oil!!!!!!!). What I noticed is that the your man that was somewhat helpful DID NOT make eye contact with the other individuals. I think he knew what the others had done to my car. It is a sad that we as humans cannot trust another fellow human, what a disgrace.Desired Settlement: I will have the car looked up at the dealer and tell them what has transpired. What I want is NOT to be responsible for any future repairs that may be caused by whatever was added to the engine.

Business

Response:

In regards to this complaint, I was told buy the technician that when the car was taken from the parking lot where the customer left the car that it was smoking. At this point we had done nothing to this yet. I told the technician to check the oil level which he did, it was 2 qrt over full. At this point I instructed the service writer to inform the customer . At that time she immediately blamed us ! We had not even pulled her car all the way into the bay yet. At this time she was informed that we would changed the oil for her if she wanted, which we did. I can not be responsible for something we did not do ! We could have just repaired the tire and sent her on her way but chose to do the right thing , also gave her a half price oil change. Not sure what else we could have done for her as we did nothing to her car !

Consumer

Response:

Well at this point it just a matter of he said she said; there is nothing I can do to mitigate what they did. I do not accept their response because I know there was nothing wrong with my car. I think the guy that took my information initially somehow noticed that I am a [redacted] woman; I suppose he has issues with the kind of human being I am and so he decided to make my life more difficult that it already is. Just close the complaint; I don't need more negativity from these people.

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

Regards,

Review: On 3/25 I had 4 items worked on, on my car. 3 of the Items are verify ably completed. The last, a motor mount, does not appear to have been done. I called [redacted] on 4/3 to ask if there may have been a miscommunication the day I paid. I remember I picked up my car at the end of the day and though I'd gotten a quote on all 3 motor/transmission mounts, I decided on only the top left. I told [redacted] that I believed that it was possible that I was told to return the next day to finish and that it is highly likely that I volunteered to pay all at once. [redacted] told me to come by and we'd take a look at the mount and determine if it replaced.Without going into neuanced details as to why I suspect [redacted] had no intentions of admitting that it was not done, he looked, and had the technician he claimed did it look too - they "agreed" (the tech seemed to be trying to follow the lead of [redacted]) that he had in fact replaced the mount.I have in writing two other shops opinions that the mount was never replaced. Mind you - this mount is two months old, and has salt and edge rot on the rubber. Mounts are made to easily last 100k miles. I've also got the shops car fax maintenance report - on it, three items are reported but the motor mount is not.I have already paid for the labor. I'd brought my own part. This part was not returned to me, nor installed, and of the 3 motor mounts I brought, I left with one in my hand. Because of this I'd also suggested to [redacted] that it was possible that one of them was replaced but not the correct one. This was not even investigated as the (I suspect prepped...) technician affirmed that it was the top left mount. I have photos of the mount with GeoTagging information to show the date, time, and location of the photos.I plan to get at least one more written mechanic opinions.I may order the part from [redacted] to show that the one in it is the original - and reorder the part I provided to prove that its not the one I brought.This is a SLAM case - complete lie [redacted]Desired Settlement: I'll need my money back for the labor plus applicable taxes and shop fees (if any). $99 Labor.I'll either need my $48 dollar part (and change) back (I have receipts) or I'll need them to refund that.I'm willing to forgo the missing mount as a gesture of good faith.I will NOT allow them to perform the work I paid for because at this point I fear retribution based on the dishonesty thus far.

Business

Response:

When [redacted] called me to check his car, I also checked with the technician who performed the work , the technician showed me the one he replaced. The cust came with 3 mounts and we checked it and only installed the one that was bad. I agree 1 was misplaced and the customer said don't worry about it. Upon inspecting his car the mount was solid although a aftermarket mount. Upon receiving this complaint I did order another one from [redacted] parts and they look identical. His original mount was completely torn as per the technician notes on org. invoice. I was not involved in the original transaction so I'm going by notes and what I saw. The [redacted] parts are much different then the aftermarket parts .I am willing to refund the $148.00 as part of Arlington Autocare complete satisfaction program as he was not given his aftermarket part back . This is the very reason we don't not install no o.e customer supplied parts !