[kittygilchrist]

thanks for the post. I appreciate knowing where NOT to go. I recall being told at an oil change place, "Little lady, if you don't get the struts done on this car, you won't make it to Georgia".
thanks again!
Kitty

Originally Posted by captain1202

I went to the Havoline oil change place on 441 just north of Baylee Plaza for an oil and filter change today. I have used the place several times before when it was Texaco Express Lube with no incident. Very good service in fact.

Today was a different story. The place appears to be under new management. The attendant checked me in and I clearly stated that I wanted and oil and filter change ONLY. The car was taken into the bay and the service commenced. Shortly thereafter another fellow came in to the waiting room for the "upsell", which, of course, I expected.

He asked of the car had been laid up for a while because the air filter and serpentine belt were "really bad" and the two front directionals weren't working either. In addition the rear differential was badly in need of service.

I agreed to the differential service because I knew it had not been done for the 60,000 miles I put on the car and in fact may have never been done in the life of the car. The rest of the stuff I put on hold for my regular service people to look at.

A woman came in to the office and she could check me out while they were finishing the car. I went to the counter and she presented me a with a bill for $92.00!!!!!

Keeping in mind I went in for a $23 oil change I was quite taken aback. When I questioned her she said the differential service was $59.95!!!! The service amounted to to removing the drain plug, dropping less than a gallon or so of gear oil, replacing the plug and re-filling the oil.

I admit, I did not ask the price when the guy suggested it, but I had maybe an additional $10 or $15 in the back of my mind. MY BAD for not asking!!

In view of that fact, I agreed to pay the bill, but I told her I would never, ever even think about coming back. Furthermore, I would tell everyone I knew, including the TOTV viewers about this experience.

When I got home I checked the following items on the car:
1) Blinkers - both OK
2) Air Filter - barely dusty
3) Serpentine belt - fine
So that was all B.S. The funny thing is, the one thing that obviously needed replacing, my wiper blades, were never mentioned.

Anyway, I post this note so that some unsuspecting person pulling in to this establishment will not have the same experience I did. I'm particularly concerned about someone not in tune with the car, i.e. my wife, getting duped by these clowns. It's hard enough to find good service people without having deal with places like this.