St Lawrence Auto Service

Had to put this one up on Unilocal as a public service announcement. Made a huge mistake taking my car to this shop. All this mechanic had to do was simply change my water pump and timing belt and that was it. A simple fix. At least I thought it was. However, they changed the water pump and timing belt and gave me back my car with tons of smoke billowing from the tailpipe. Even though my car had been leaking antifreeze and was overheating it wasn’t blowing any smoke. The owner then says he never saw the smoke before and tells me its my head gasket that needs fixing. How the hell did he not see all that smoke when the car had been in his shop for 2 full days? Did I make some profound discovery when he gave it back to me? I don’t think so. Go figure. The car was blowing smoke for at least 15 minutes straight when I got there and started it up and he had to back it outside the shop to let the smoke out. I had the car a full year and half now and never once saw smoke like that. I know my head gasket probably wasn’t the greatest but these guys obviously made it worse by whatever they did.
Then about 2 weeks later I notice my antifreeze was leaking in the same area where the water pump is located so once again I brought the car back to his shop and after waiting around for 90 minutes for a diagnosis the owner immediately goes on the defensive. Without properly diagnosing the car and finding out where the leak was coming from like a true professional would this bum mechanic started telling me how bad my engine was and how I needed to replace it and how it had nothing to do with the water pump job he had originally charged me $ 378 to fix. This Hitler mechanic was even too damm lazy to tell me how much a rebuilt engine would cost. Can you believe that? I say Hitler because I noticed he runs his shop with an iron fist and his word is law there. His employees seems terrified by him so maybe on some level that adds to his «know it all ego.» Needless to say I wasn’t getting anywhere with this bum so I left and went to another mechanic about 3 miles away and after diagnosing my car for 30 minutes they discovered there was a hose that was leaking antifreeze and charged me only $ 70 to fix it. I rather pay $ 70 than $ 1500 or more for a rebuilt engine. Anyway, my car has been going great ever since. So listen up and stay away from this bum who thinks he knows everything about cars. Never again. You’ve been warned.

I live around the area and I just got my oil change done here. And the owner said that HE DOES NOT ACCEPT CREDIT for oil change but for everything else he accepts credit. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Not only that! He also tells me that IF I WANT A RECEIPT THEN I HAVE TO PAY A TAX FOR IT!!! Are you serious !!! Clearly this guy doesn’t want to report the Money he made for this oil change. This place is a gimmick so please avoid this place!

I don’t know much about cars so when I was given a price of almost $ 800 for my break pads and rotors to be replace I felt it was a little pricey but I knew I needed new breaks so I had them complete the work anyway. The receipt later showed that this price was only for the front rotors and breaks and that the labor and service charge was pretty much 50% of the bill. A friend later told me that he paid about $ 500 to replace his breaks and all 4 rotors (good quality breaks according to him). I felt ripped off.
I have since found another mechanic (Sosa & Sons on Southern Blvd) recommended by a friend. I’ve been to Sosa’s shop a few times and they have great customer service and their prices seem reasonable (now I call a friend or two to consult on prices before agreeing to anything). Not to mention that when I talk to him, he explains everything in detail and I don’t get that «I think I’m getting played» feeling. If you’re like me and you don’t know much about cars, I suggest you get at least a second opinion before getting your car repaired at St. Lawrence… I know I’ll never go back there.