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THIS TOPIC COVERS GARAGES WHO HAVE PERFORMED WORK ON YOUR VEHICLE...NOW! IS YOUR CHANCE TO LET THE AREA KNOW OF YOUR EXPERENCE THAT YOU HAD WITH ANY GARAGE OR MECHANIC IN THE AREA...SOME AUTO REPAIR SHOPS HAVE A REPUTATION FOR OVER CHARGING AND UNDER PERFORMING WOULD YOU RECOMMEND OR NOT AFTER YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THEM...EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE THEY CAN TRUST...HAVE YOU FOUND THAT SHOP? ..BE FAIR..BE DECENT IN YOUR DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE AND OPINION...IT REFLECTS ON YOUR OWN CHARACTER
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SMITHS GARAGE
This garage is run by Danny Smith on Second Street in Sheffield. I have known Danny now for about 5 years, and have had him work on several of my vehicles, along with some of my friends vehicles...I have always found him to be honest, and reasonable in his prices...He stands behind what he does, is factory certified, and computerized in his diagnostic of the vehicle's problem..I talked with him the other day, and he is now staying open until 8PM due to the load of work. It goes to show, you treat people right in your service, and you will definitely not starve to death..
Express Oil Change on Florence Blvd. next to Capitan D's over charges. The manager told me he would be cheaper than Long Lewis Ford for new brake pads and changing transmission fluid.

I postponed my appointment with EOC and went to LLF and EOC was actually $100.00 more expensive.


Bragwell's Alignment on 2nd street in Muscle Shoals is a great place. C.T. Bragwell is honest and affordable. You must make an appointment but it is worth the wait.
quote:
Originally posted by Heub:
Waltons in Killen seems to be fair. I have used them twice and they finish and didnt break the bank.


If Walton is the tire and break man on 72 hwy in Killen then he is an IDIOT. The dumb ass does not know how to add or subtract and he can't use his debit card machine.

I went there with a business vehicle and had a card that most truckers use,not to mention he accepts the card because the decal on his door says he does. When he got ready to total it out he did not know how to use it. He had to get on the phone and call the credit card company to do it. When I went back 6 months later for a break job he told me he could not except the card because it took him 3 to 4 weeks to get his money. Go figure?

IMO... as long as I get paid and I have found a regular customer I would not mind waiting 3 to 4 weeks on a major card the most truckers use? The guy is not that bright.

Express Oil Change excepts the card and so does the Goodyear store.
quote:
Originally posted by Yo Brotha from anotha Motha:
quote:
Originally posted by Heub:
Waltons in Killen seems to be fair. I have used them twice and they finish and didnt break the bank.


If Walton is the tire and break man on 72 hwy in Killen then he is an IDIOT. The dumb ass does not know how to add or subtract and he can't use his debit card machine.

I went there with a business vehicle and had a card that most truckers use,not to mention he accepts the card because the decal on his door says he does. When he got ready to total it out he did not know how to use it. He had to get on the phone and call the credit card company to do it. When I went back 6 months later for a break job he told me he could not except the card because it took him 3 to 4 weeks to get his money. Go figure?

IMO... as long as I get paid and I have found a regular customer I would not mind waiting 3 to 4 weeks on a major card the most truckers use? The guy is not that bright.

Express Oil Change excepts the card and so does the Goodyear store.


How about taking time to figure out exactly who you're complaining about before you post. I have no problem with you complaining about bad service, and naming where you got it, but there are two auto repair shops in Killen. From reading your post, it's apparant that you do not know which one you are complaining about. Give the one you did not patronize a break and be accurate.
I have had good service at Wayne's on the corner of Old Huntsville Rd and Cox Creek. I take all major repairs to him.

Had some warranty work done at Family Ford. The warranty company was having some problems getting info from the service department clerk. I called the manager and the issue was addressed very quickly. Work was done quickly and accurately. Just hate that the clerk was so hard to deal with.
There is a guy named Gary Ross lives in upper greenhill. I can't give directions because is out of the way. But he is the most honest person you would ever want to look under your hood. If its to involved for him or ir it may take special tools he has never charged me a penny. I think his name is in the book. The same for Clemmons on 43. I have not been there since Jackie passed away.
I have had good service at both Walton's Automotive and Jim's Tire in Killen. Walton's is a full service garage, from tires, batteries and windshield wipers to rebuilding an engine. Jim's Tire and Service Center does tires, oil changes, and brakes. Both have done good work for me, and at what seemed like reasonable prices.

Clemmons in Greenhill did some work for me many years ago. I got good service from them. I did have a small problem with one repair, but it was quicky fixed at no extra charge.

The worst I was ever treated in a garage was at a station that is no longer in business (doesn't suprise me at all). It was a Chevron station in Athens, AL, on Hwy 72 near I-65. After having sat and waited 30 minutes while the attendant took his lunch break, they charged me $4.00 a quart (in 1980 dollars)for two quarts on Havoline oil. This was late at night, and was the only station open in the area at that time. The same oil was regularly priced 79 cents a quart at Wal-Mart at that time.
The wonderful man in my life always makes sure my vehicle runs great! I am not sure about many garages though, but I do know for a fact, that Holt's Radiator, which isnt just radiator work anymore because his nephew runs it now, did me a great job on my heater core, and on my air conditioner, and actually charged me WAY less than I expected.
quote:
Originally posted by Yo Brotha from anotha Motha:
Express Oil Change on Florence Blvd. next to Capitan D's over charges. The manager told me he would be cheaper than Long Lewis Ford for new brake pads and changing transmission fluid.

I postponed my appointment with EOC and went to LLF and EOC was actually $100.00 more expensive.


Bragwell's Alignment on 2nd street in Muscle Shoals is a great place. C.T. Bragwell is honest and affordable. You must make an appointment but it is worth the wait.



I had good luck with Express Oil. I had a bad converter and he said I could get it done cheaper at Florence Muffler, so I did. He just charged me minimal troubleshooting charges.
quote:
Originally posted by Heub:
quote:
Originally posted by Yo Brotha from anotha Motha:
Express Oil Change on Florence Blvd. next to Capitan D's over charges. The manager told me he would be cheaper than Long Lewis Ford for new brake pads and changing transmission fluid.

I postponed my appointment with EOC and went to LLF and EOC was actually $100.00 more expensive.


Bragwell's Alignment on 2nd street in Muscle Shoals is a great place. C.T. Bragwell is honest and affordable. You must make an appointment but it is worth the wait.



I had good luck with Express Oil. I had a bad converter and he said I could get it done cheaper at Florence Muffler, so I did. He just charged me minimal troubleshooting charges.


That is nice to know Heub Smiler
Ricky Gilchrist bought the old Quinns garage in North Florence a few moths back. A friend had recommended this place to me and i am more than pleased with how fast and price was more than fair((over $200 cheaper than the other 3 estimates i got).
i am a woman and i use my old truck alot during spring and summer months. It runs like a brand new vehicle now. I will not hesitate to take my car there if the need arisies!
I used Precision Auto Tune. They seem to be honest and very helpful. Didn't take too long, either.

I had to use Family Ford once on my old car and that's the reason I will never buy a Ford again. Something was wrong with a part in my steering and they had to replace it. Instead of checking to see if there was a recall, which there was, they replaced it was a defective part and it broke again six months later. Their service department didn't seem too concerned over it when I told them about it. They had their money.

I use Bob's Tire in seven points. They're awesome and give you great service!
We found Foster's Service Center, out toward Cherokee, and the guy there was always straight with us about the issues and made right on everything. Reasonable price too. When we moved away he was one we missed most b/c we could always count on him to fix the problem and do it without breaking the bank. The car was junk so we were really glad to have someone who didn't try to rip us off.
I, just today, called several places looking for some new tires I will needing soon. Waltons in Killen had the best price, But Neal's in Centerstar was only 2 bucks a tire higher. Both prices include balancing, ect, including tax. I must add I have bought tires from Neal for many years. There has always been a very short wait and the work is top notch. Plus at Neal's you can count on lifetime rotation and balancing without an appt.
quote:
Originally posted by Yo Brotha from anotha Motha:
quote:
Originally posted by Heub:
Waltons in Killen seems to be fair. I have used them twice and they finish and didnt break the bank.


If Walton is the tire and break man on 72 hwy in Killen then he is an IDIOT. The dumb ass does not know how to add or subtract and he can't use his debit card machine.

I went there with a business vehicle and had a card that most truckers use,not to mention he accepts the card because the decal on his door says he does. When he got ready to total it out he did not know how to use it. He had to get on the phone and call the credit card company to do it. When I went back 6 months later for a break job he told me he could not except the card because it took him 3 to 4 weeks to get his money. Go figure?

IMO... as long as I get paid and I have found a regular customer I would not mind waiting 3 to 4 weeks on a major card the most truckers use? The guy is not that bright.

Express Oil Change excepts the card and so does the Goodyear store.


I made a mistake, Jims Tire in Killen on hwy 72 is the store I was meaning not Waltons. Pleae excuse me.
IF YOU USE EXPRESS OIL HEADS UP ON THIS ONE
I have seen the below with my own eyes so this is not fish tale...Danny Smith last summer had a car come into his shop with engine problems...during the conversation of what type of maintenance he was in the habit of performing on the engine...he related he always for quite some time had gotten his oil changes at these express oil change locations...When Danny pulled the engine head, the entire engine was gummed up so bad, the engine had started blowing oil...The owner stated, he had always gotten the cheaper oil change and they used bulk oil...ya know..the one where they pump it into the engine from a long hose..The Bulk Oil has broken down and turned into nothing but sludge and gum over the years of being put into his engine... spring forward...2 days ago, a gentleman brought in his truck blowing oil...the head was pulled and the entire engine was gummed and sludge up...Yep! you guessed it...he had always gotten oil changes out of the bulk tank at express oil.
Moral of the story...NEVER USE THE BULK OIL AT ANY EXPRESS LUBE BUSINESS..unless you want to be paying for a engine job in about 2-3 years...
Always use a good quality oil...and filter...change the oil frequently..around 3500 miles or so...if you drive alot of highway miles you can go to about 4500...without any problem..
What is the ole saying...pay now or pay BIG later...if you do not do periodic maintenance on your vehicle...find a good garage...let the mechanic know you want him to take care of your car, as if it was a family members...you will in the long run...keep more green in the billfold..
quote:
Originally posted by traderconnections:
IF YOU USE EXPRESS OIL HEADS UP ON THIS ONE
I have seen the below with my own eyes so this is not fish tale...Danny Smith last summer had a car come into his shop with engine problems...during the conversation of what type of maintenance he was in the habit of performing on the engine...he related he always for quite some time had gotten his oil changes at these express oil change locations...When Danny pulled the engine head, the entire engine was gummed up so bad, the engine had started blowing oil...The owner stated, he had always gotten the cheaper oil change and they used bulk oil...ya know..the one where they pump it into the engine from a long hose..The Bulk Oil has broken down and turned into nothing but sludge and gum over the years of being put into his engine... spring forward...2 days ago, a gentleman brought in his truck blowing oil...the head was pulled and the entire engine was gummed and sludge up...Yep! you guessed it...he had always gotten oil changes out of the bulk tank at express oil.
Moral of the story...NEVER USE THE BULK OIL AT ANY EXPRESS LUBE BUSINESS..unless you want to be paying for a engine job in about 2-3 years...
Always use a good quality oil...and filter...change the oil frequently..around 3500 miles or so...if you drive alot of highway miles you can go to about 4500...without any problem..
What is the ole saying...pay now or pay BIG later...if you do not do periodic maintenance on your vehicle...find a good garage...let the mechanic know you want him to take care of your car, as if it was a family members...you will in the long run...keep more green in the billfold..


Thanks so much for this information, my son-in-law was just going over to the 'bulk' place to have his oil changed, I just read this to him... now, no dice! Thanks again Smiler
I'd bet a dollar to a donut there is no difference in the bulk oil and the oil in a plastic jug except price. If the cars that were talked about being gummed up in the other post had had the oil changed regular there wouldn't be any gumming regardless what brand or type it was. The gumming was caused by driving long distances between oil changes. Sure the car owner is going to claim they had it changed regular, but truth be known it wasn't. So don't go condemning a product on urban legend.
Makes for a nice tale though.
I drive alot of miles and change my oil 1 time a year. I send samples about every 5000 miles in for analysis and use Royal Purple oil. While time based maintenance is good contition based maintenance is usually cheaper in the long run. I get my samples analized for about 8 bucks (price of 1 quart of royal purple) I Used to have a diesel and installed a 3 micron bypass filter and had good luck. Another thing about the quickie places is that they generally (I am sure someone will have a different example) use crappy filters. I try to use K&N or WIX.
PITBO$$..
I really can't dispute your opinion on the failure to change oil...just stating an observation of nothing but total Tar coating everything inside the engine...The owners told their side...the rest is up to each of you to believe or disbelieve..

Heub:
You are right about them using .90 cent filters..again you get what you pay for...
Periodic Mainteanance such as replacing belts, hoses, flushing radiators, changing wipers,changing brake pads, changing transmission oil and filter, every 50K will keep your wrecker bill low...

Everyone needs a Gentle Dentist...Loving Partner and a Good Garage...because you going to need all three sooner or later..
I'm gonna have to disagree about the Honda timing belt change at 60k miles. They now suggest 80k miles for changing out. Mine(98 civic) got changed out at 150k miles and looked new. It had it's first set of plugs and rotor button at 227k, no other items PERIOD. People please dont take your cars to the dealers unless they are in warranty, the independents are way cheaper and better!! The dealers have the worst mechanics, the good mechanics go out on their own. For a top notch perfectionist job at way better prices than stealerships go to Neals Wheels on 2nd street M.S.C.
I only go to the dealership now to have anything done, including oil changes.

I do not trust a 19-year old mechanic with a GED who learned his trade at a vocational school who works at any privately-owned garage, or, especially, Wal Mart. I have had BAD experiences at Wal Mart, to include the following:

1. Putting 2.5 quarts of oil during oil change when 5 quarts of oil are called for. I went 800 miles, then noticed the oil pressure gauge on my 1998 Chevy Z-71 going from 40 PSI (normal) to 0 PSI (BAD!!). I took to an oil change place, and had the manager ride around the block, we immediately went back, drained the oil. Barely 2 quarts came out. Wal Mart was LUCKY. I got a refund from Wal Mart, and the mechanic who did it (19 year old on GED, so the manager told me) turns out had already been fired for doing the same thing to other vehicles.

2. Wal Mart has stripped I lost count of lug nuts when I used to have my tires rotated by them.

3. Chevrolet charges roughly $30 for 3K mile service, to include tax. Wal Mart charges roughly $24 to include tax...I would rather spend an extra $6 and know it is well taken care of and not done incorrectly.

Next, body shops. The one down near Shoals Creek in Killen, I do NOT recommend him. Why? I took my truck to get a new paintjob while I was deployed to Iraq 4 years ago (a bodyshop near FT Stewart, GA did repair work on my truck body from a fender bender, and did absolutely the WORST job I have ever seen: color not matched, two-tone not blended at all, clear coat dripped before drying in the rocker panel area, heck, I found out later when truck was repainted that the grill was kept onto the truck via masking tape and epoxy...3/4 of the connecting points were broken, and they tried to hide it...I had to buy a new grill). My mom kept my truck while I was gone. I spoke to the manager, told them what I wanted done, that it would be paid for in full via cash, and that I would look over the truck before I paid it off, would put down 1/2 deposit before I left, and they keep it while I am gone. He said "Well, it is not that we are worried about you paying for it, just we don't want to do it, etc..." and more excuses. What a shame...for him. Turns out, I took my truck to another body shop, and it still today looks better than brand new (wet-sanded finish...no "lemon-peel" look when shined in the light).

While I am on body shops. They are crooked for the most part, at least in my experience. Ask the dealer where to go and where they take their work to if they don't do body repair themselves. Be wary of where insurance wants you to go...my insurance company sent me to the jerks that ruined my trucks original paint job....I wanted to sue, but I was moving, other things to worry about at the time. So I moved on, but left a nasty gram with FT Stewart's HQ...hopefully that sorry place in GA was made off limits....
Mark Russell at "Bruce's Auto Repair" on N. Royal Avenue in Florence is wonderful! He is an honest Christian man. He completes all repair jobs in a timely manner & is VERY affordable. He has completed training courses & schooling,(recieving certificates of completion), in many, many areas of repair & engine building, transmissions, etc. He does all types of work, from minor to major repair, oil changes, brakes & so on. In fact, he does "on site" repair when possible. Emergency service calls & esimates?, he's happy to fulfill.
Wal-Mart stripped the drain plug in the oil pan of my car, we didn't know it at the time; however, over time, the oil was leaking & became worse., The engine overheated from low oil pressure, causing blown heads in the engine. Mark rebuilt the engine at minimum cost to me & today it is like new.My husband drives the car 88 miles daily to & from work-no prblems!! Of course we replaced the useless oil plug (thanks to Wally World).

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