lousy repair shop experience: World Motors in Arlington VA

[cmoore207]

So I wasn't able to sell my Audi, but I was able to trade it for some cash and a 1988 BMW convertible. I took it to title and register it this morning at the DMV in Arlington, and on my way out thought I would stop really quick and get the inspection and emissions taken care of at World Motors Auto Service simply because it is right next door to the DMV. I bought the car knowing it had an exhaust leak, so I wasn't surprised that it failed. But that's when the fun started.

Check out these prices for their estimate to fix it:

Cat: $654 (!)
Pipe: $299 (!)
Muffler: $7 (?)
Hangers/Clamps: $20 (ok)
Gaskets: $115 (!!!)

On top of that, I didn't have a flat-tip screw driver handy to swap out one of my license plates (remember, I was just at the DMV). Despite the possibility that I might still be a chump willing to fork over more than $1300, including 3 hours of labor, to these clowns, the tech refused to either unscrew the two screws himself or just lend me a screwdriver.

Just got off the phone with a well known BMW parts supplier and ordered everything I need, including a new cat, for about $600.

 

[RVRSRVC]

Hmm, maybe muffler and gaskets prices got swapped!

 

[Chris-St Louis]

these clowns, the tech refused to either unscrew the two screws himself or just lend me a screwdriver.

Why would this guy lend you his tools? Your not having your car fixed by him, and you want to use his tools?

 

[garrett]

did the guy smell of booze and have zip ties in his hand?

 

[Chris-St Louis]

did the guy smell of booze and have zip ties in his hand?

NICE!!! :bigok:

 

[cmoore207]

I didn't expect him to lend me his tools, I asked him to unscrew two screws himself. I don't think that is too much to ask while trying to sell me a $1300 job. Its a f*ing license plate. Takes 30 seconds max.

And those prices weren't even for OEM BMW parts. That is a more than 100% markup on generic parts. Maybe he did switch the muffler/gasket prices... but that would mean he is still charging $415 for a cat-back exhaust system that only costs ~$175 retail, and $654 for a cat that costs less than $400 retail.

 

[Chris-St Louis]

If you brought yoru car to my shop.... Had me figure up a estimate, then have you tell me (I'm certain from the tone of this post you did) what you thought about it.....I wouldnt unscrew anything for ya.

 

[ptschram]

In real shops, NOTHING gets done that is not on the work order. The tech doesn't get paid for the nice things they do for clients who put money in the shop owner's pockets and not the tech's pockets.

We all gotta eat.

 

[abrooks]

I've had real mixed experiences with World motors -- the problem is that they're (as you know) right next to DMV, so they gouge everyone that has a DMV-related need. Unfortunately, you were half a mile from one of the best BMW shops in northern VA at the same time.
J&F is right down 4 mile run and are a BMW specialist that does excellent work. They were a big help on the '88 325iC I used to have. Also, if you just need a good shop, the Midas on the corner of Columbia Pike and Glebe does very good work and are very rover friendly. Ask for Shane, the manager, and tell him you know Tony around the corner (I live a block from them). Shane is into Rovers (won and offroad trip with RN a few years ago through Midas) and is willing to tackle just about everything including custom exhausts. I'm sure they'd be happy to swap in those parts you ordered for the bimmer. Not affiliated with either of them.

Good luck,

Tony

Oh, replace your fuel pump relay while you're in there, that caused me untold fits with my '88.

 

[skippy3k]

If they are right next to the DMV, don't you think that you may been the gazillioninth person to ask for a screwdriver to remove your license plate? They probably quit lending them out after the 451st screwdriver went missing.

Scott

 

[cmoore207]

Well, the timeline was more along the lines of:

1. Ask for inspection while I go to the DMV. "Oh no, you have to wait here with the vehicle." even though I am leaving them my key chain with all of my keys, garage opener, apartment and office transponders. Not likely I am going to sneak back and drive away with my newly inspected car.

2. Come back on way out of DMV. Ask tech1 (a nice Asian gentleman) to swap out license plate while he does inspection. He says "sure, no problem."

3. Tech1 says bad news, you failed, here is the manager he can give you an estimate.

4. Manager comes up with his bogus estimate. I very politely say sounds good, let me round up the parts on my own from "a friend of mine" and I will bring it back for them to install since they offer 10% off on helping you pass inspection.

5. I walk around to the back of the shop to find my car. It is still on the shop floor, which is a large warehouse-sized enclosure. Tech2, an old white guy, is just standing around and rudely asks me if I am waiting for him to back my car out. That's the guy I said "Oh, the other guy said he would swap out this plate for me, but looks like he forgot, would you mind?" "I'd have to charge you labor." "Okay, whatever, go ahead, or if I could borrow a screwdriver I could do it if you are busy." "You're on your own buddy."


And I don't care if I am the millionth person to ask for a screwdriver, they don't have to be rude about it. Goddamit, I am the customer, I demand a basic level of respect. It's not as though getting that rejection sticker was free.

The quibble itself is minor, and they might be 100% in the right in not wanting to help a brotha out, but the attitude of everybody in that place, except for Tech1, gave me a sleazy vibe. Poor customer service is poor customer service.

 

[emmodg]

Yeah, I'm gonna be honest here. I've been to busy-ass shops and slow specialty shops and they ALL were polite. That's how you stay in business AND keep a good reputation, ANYONE can make a living screwing people over in the auto repair business. The good guys are polite and know their shit. I can name some shops I've been to that work on everything from Fords to Racing Ferraris' and BMWs'. Their MAC and SnapOn cabinets ALONE are in the $20,000 dollar range - if you ask nicely, don't look like a drunk, bumbling idiot, they'll lend you a tool, (maybe not a $400 torque wrench). It's not hard to be nice.

My 2.5 cents worth.

 

[jhmover]

Sounds like the dude is missing out on a money maker. Buy $1.00 screwdrivers and sell them for $5 to the people needing to change their plates.

 

[flyfisher11]

Well, the timeline was more along the lines of:

1. Ask for inspection while I go to the DMV. "Oh no, you have to wait here with the vehicle." even though I am leaving them my key chain with all of my keys, garage opener, apartment and office transponders. Not likely I am going to sneak back and drive away with my newly inspected car.

2. Come back on way out of DMV. Ask tech1 (a nice Asian gentleman) to swap out license plate while he does inspection. He says "sure, no problem."

3. Tech1 says bad news, you failed, here is the manager he can give you an estimate.

4. Manager comes up with his bogus estimate. I very politely say sounds good, let me round up the parts on my own from "a friend of mine" and I will bring it back for them to install since they offer 10% off on helping you pass inspection.

5. I walk around to the back of the shop to find my car. It is still on the shop floor, which is a large warehouse-sized enclosure. Tech2, an old white guy, is just standing around and rudely asks me if I am waiting for him to back my car out. That's the guy I said "Oh, the other guy said he would swap out this plate for me, but looks like he forgot, would you mind?" "I'd have to charge you labor." "Okay, whatever, go ahead, or if I could borrow a screwdriver I could do it if you are busy." "You're on your own buddy."


And I don't care if I am the millionth person to ask for a screwdriver, they don't have to be rude about it. Goddamit, I am the customer, I demand a basic level of respect. It's not as though getting that rejection sticker was free.

The quibble itself is minor, and they might be 100% in the right in not wanting to help a brotha out, but the attitude of everybody in that place, except for Tech1, gave me a sleazy vibe. Poor customer service is poor customer service.

I'm with you brother! As my dearly departed father taught me, IT DOESN'T COST A THING TO BE NICE TO SOMEONE! In that same tone what would it have hurt to swap your tag out or let you do it yourself. Customer service is equal to technical competency in this case. I don't give a shit if you are a mechanical genius if you're an asshole you're and asshole. There seems to be a lot of that up here in the mid-Atlantic and northeast IMHO.

Mike