Bobby & Steve’s Auto World

Went here earlier for a hot chocolate and cigarettes and when I got home and finally took a sip of my hot chocolate all I could taste was chemicals it was disgusting I’ll still go there sometimes but never for coffee or hot chocolate only bottled drinks

These people tried to scam me. I called my insurance company to have my car towed. I asked that it be towed to my usual, trusted repair place. A few minutes later I get a call from Bobby and Steve’s trying to talk me into getting it towed there instead. I was afraid to say no in case they would take more time coming to pick me up (I had to wait 2 ½ hours by the side of the road as it was). I reluctantly agreed to go to Bobby and Steve’s. They gave me an estimate for $ 1,200 and were very pushy. Feeling something was wrong, I called one of the guys at my usual place who told me he could have guessed where I was because Bobby and Steve’s has a reputation for this type of behavior. Luckily my car was still barely drivable, so I got my car and got out of there. My repair place quoted the repairs at nearly half the price of the Bobby and Steve’s estimate. I plan to report them to my insurance company. I see the reviewer Taya I had a similar experience. Watch out.

NEVER TAKE YOUR VEHICLE HERE. The mechanics have no idea what they are doing, they put my bearings on the wrong way for 2 years and charged me for it. Only found out this after I sold my vehicle to a family member who brought it to a new mechanic. I had gone in FIVE TIMES in 2 yrs for my bearings, which was clear even to the front desk guy that it was ridiculous. I went back 3 times in 12 months to get it fixed under warranty. The last time I was told it was no longer covered and would have to pay, the front man said he trusted his mechanics so it must have been a crapy part. I was going to be charged 500 dollars for a bearing switch, when if anyone with a brain actually looked at it, it would be clear the bearing was put on THE WRONG WAY. Sorry front desk guy, do not trust your mechanics. I walked away after being told they were not even going to replace the crappy part they ADMITTED they gave me. My car has been running as smooth as ever now that it is taken somewhere else. Again do not go here you will spend 1000s for shotty work and ethics.

I have taken my car to Bobby and Steve’s for over a year. They have been able to get my car in quickly and seem to offer competitive rates. My first service repair was a set of new tires. I brought my car in at 8:30pm and they were able to rush an order of tires and had my car repaired by 11pm! Great service! Recently I had a squeak in my trunk and the manager was willing to talk me through my options and helped me to resolve the problem. I have always had very positive experiences with the company.

Great service and they work with customers!

I brought in my car for an oil change. I was then informed that my coolant was leaking and that there was a pressure test that could be done for 50 $ to see what was causing the leak. «hopefully it is something very simple» I decided to do the test, even though I had 130 $ in my bank account.
Turns out there was a crack in my radiator and it needed to be replaced. I was quoted 400 $ for a new radiator and I asked how dire the situation was since I did not have that kind of money to replace it that day. I was told that I would need to check my coolant at least 2 times a day and that I would need to add coolant to it daily, otherwise my engine could overheat. I told that I should fix this immediately and that not getting it fixed would lead to bigger problems. I was almost in tears at this point as I was talking with my mom trying to figure out what to do. I am a pastry chef and make very little money, so maybe this wasn’t a big deal to some people, but it definitely was to me. The price I was quoted, I was told, was surprisingly low. The guy that was helping at the front desk talked to my step-​dad to inform him of the issues with my car, since I did not understand what anyone was telling me. It was then decided that I would get it fixed the next day. They left me to believe that it was very serious, since they couldn’t even tell me if I would be ok driving it for a couple more days.
I then went to my parents house and my step dad was able to call the repair place we usually go to. They quoted us a price 100 $ cheaper than yours.
So obviously I went to them to get it fixed, this is where I have been servicing my car since I was 17. When they fixed it, they told me that there was nothing emergent about it. That there was a small leak but I could have went quite some time with it not being fixed.
My point of this review is that you guys fell into the sterotype of auto places. I just moved to the Columbia Heights area and was excited to try and find a new local place to go to. But, being a woman who obviously knows very little about cars, my first time oil change with you turned into a 100 $ experience. I was also told by Smith Neilsen (who is located in Blaine and is a VERY honest and fantastic place) that most places wouldn’t even charge for hooking up the air pressure thing for the test to find the leak, as this takes about 3 minutes of time. I felt completely taken advantage of and was very frustrated at the way I was treated. Made to believe that my car was extremely unsafe to drive and also made to believe that you guys were quoting me the best price I could get.
People talk all of the time about what places to avoid because of upselling and telling you to repair and fix things that aren’t needed. I have learned my lesson and will never again visit a Bobby and Steves. I will drive 20 minutes out of my way for great service and prices and to talk with people I can trust. I have let my family know about this who also live in the area, that they will tell people they know as well.
My brother was actually going to go in this week to you and have his car serviced, but will now go to Smith Neilsen, even though it is out of the way.
Please treat everyone fairly. I am highly dissatisfied and was just very hurt at the experience I received from your shop.

Tonight was my first visit to Bobby and Steve’s on Central Ave. It was my second stop at a repair shop today. I had just fixed a flat tire that afternoon only to learn that it had gone flat again. I came in and received the best customer service I’ve had at a repair shop. Ed, the manager, was honest on what needed to be fixed today and what could wait. I didn’t feel any pressure to get any work done immediately. Sam, the technician, was also very honest. He brought me back to show me what the issues were, explained to me what the potential consequences could be for waiting for repair etc. He also ran tests in front of me so that I could see what work needed to be done and fully understand what was going on. They were both extremely helpful and knowledgable. I ended up getting the work done that they had recommended, not because I felt any pressure, but because of their honesty and exceptional service to their customers. I’ve never had a go-​to auto shop but I think that has changed after tonight. I highly recommend this location if you want real people who don’t try and cheat you on services. Definitely plan on returning and recommending to friends!

Diagnostics $ 79.00? I thought that most places do that for free, specially when you end up fixing the car…

When my car conked-​out and needed a tow, my insurance dispatched a Bobby and Steve’s driver who offered to take my car back to their shop for a free estimate since my mechanic was closed for the weekend. Great, right? Not so fast…
When the shop called me the next morning to give me some outrageously high estimate, I politely declined and told them I would be having my car towed out as soon as possible. They refused to release my car until I paid some $ 55 fee, which, according to the gentleman on the phone, was a diagnostic fee. When I mentioned that the tow driver said there would be a free estimate, the fee suddenly changed to an «overnight storage fee.» At this point, after the manager failed to believe what the tow driver told me, I paid the fee just to get my car out of there.
Upon inspection at my mechanic’s, the employee diagnosing my car informed me the cover for my engine was missing. Now, I don’t know a lot about cars, but I do know this is no small part to lose! Thus, I had to drive back up to Bobby and Steve’s to retrieve the (large) piece of plastic and return it to my mechanic without a hint of apology from Bobby and Steve’s.
This, along with a subsequent experience of Bobby and Steve’s «losing» my car, has resulted in me hiring my own tow driver instead of relying on my roadside assistance plan.

I wouldn’t take my car here for service even if it was free! They tell you that your vehicle needs repairs that it really doesn’t! I swear whenever I would take my vehicle here it would run worse after they serviced it then before they touched it! They also have the rudest tow truck drivers! Don’t believe me on what I say??? Go and see for your self!

I’ve been going through quite some drama getting my motorcycle roadworthy this spring. I paid a garage to do a carb job and things went south when I left the garage.
So I decided to swap out the gas with some non-​oxygenated gas used for smaller motors. I went to a local Mobil station and the told me to head to Bobby and Steve’s Auto world.
I drained the old gas and put the new gas in. No go. Took it back to the shop, and they called saying that there was 50% water in the gas! I came in, and they had a sample of my gasoline poured into a clear measuring cup, and you could see that indeed 50% of the gas was separated out. Not sure if it was water etc, but they had put in a gallon of new gas and I drove away.
I don’t know what happened to their gas. It may be old, cross contaminated or somebody just put water into their supply tanks… Just be careful. I’m going to try the gas station on 54^th and Penn next.

I’ve waited a long time to do this update because I was so uncontrollably angry that I didn’t want that to cloud my review. I’m a responsible reviewer.
After my first oil change (see previous post), I went back for another approximately 3 months later. I waited for about an hour until my car was done and when I get the report back my intake gasket is leaking and my CV joint on my passenger side is «leaking», which means I need about $ 1000 of fixes of my car. I can’t remember the other managers name, Brad?, he showed me where the intake was leaking, and I could see that. At the time, I didn’t realize that that was the same part that I fixed a few years back, and when I told him that I got this thing fixed for about $ 600, he just ignored what I said and kept talking about this intake valve. He was taking advantage of my unknowingly stupid comment. I told him I wouldn’t be able to get it fixed today, and when I left I called my mechanic friend. Mechanic friend said that was the same thing I needed fixed the last time, and not to worry about it until it actually starts leaking fluid on the ground, which would probably be awhile because it was only weeping right now. The CV joint he could fix for under $ 200, but I was quoted more than this at Bobby and Steve’s.
Fast forward to early December. I went for my free oil change and tire rotation from my discount card. I also asked them to check the CV joint because I didn’t want that to go out in the middle of winter, but I knew that the intake was leaking and I’m not too concerned about that right now. I went early Friday morning (8 am) and was able to get in right away. I waited for an hour and a half, and at one point I started pacing because I saw that my car was done, but the door to let it out was shut and the dudes in there were on a ladder trying to hang something up. It looked like christmas lights. However, about 30 minutes before this happened, the same manager from before came out and said my intake was leaking and this is really bad because it could ruin my motor and I would need a new car. New quote was about $ 150 more from before; also, my CV joint looked fine, but now my tie rod needs to be fixed and when they fix that they need to align my tires, but also I have a transmission leak. Total bill = ~$ 1500, $ 1000 in labor. So my car is magic and fixed the CV joint on its own, but now magically I need another $ 500 in fixes? I wonder what he would’ve told me if I didn’t tell him I knew the intake was leaking. By the time I left with a $ 0 bill mind you, I was seething. I called my mom to vent. I’ve got my moneys worth in my discount card now, and I will go back to Midas the next time I need anything done. I also asked my dad about the fixes that were needed (he has a best friend that is a mechanic), and he said the same thing other mechanic friend said — run the car until the intake leaks on the ground like the last time. He also asked if my car was making any jerking movements when I was turning — I said no, other than my stupid driving sometimes I over reach. He said when you have something like that wrong, you will know.
Stay away from this place. They only want your money, and if you are clueless about cars like me (for the most part. except when I know I’m being butt-​raped) they will take FULL advantage of you, even if all you ask for is a 20 minute oil change.

This review is for the service section, not the gas station /​car wash.
EDIT 8÷9÷12: Changed from 2-​star to 1-​star. I had a voucher for a free oil change here, so I figured I would go back. Mistake! Not even worth it to come here for FREE services. My car takes 4 quarts of 5w-​30 oil. They put in 5 quarts of 5w-​20 oil. So with smoke coming out of my tailpipe, I took it to my regular mechanic for another oil change. They can’t even do an oil change right?!
Old review (2-​star): I went in for a coolant flush. I had called beforehand and asked for a quote, which they said was $ 79.99. I had a $ 20 off a flush coupon from their website, so the price was pretty good. However, when I arrived, the price list on the wall said «Coolant Service: $ 79.99. Radiator flush and fill: $ 89.99.» So I asked the difference, and the response was, «I don’t ever even look at that, the flat price is 89.99, and I couldn’t tell you the difference between those.» I said that I was quoted 79.99, and he said «It’s a flat fee, 89.99.» So I went ahead, since the coupon still made it cheaper than other shops. During the process, they told me I needed a power steering flush, so I went and checked (which they did not seem to mind, which is good), and I did in fact need one (here they were honest, thumbs up for that). However, they also said I needed a «drive belt and tensioner.» They said it was NOT urgent, which made me think that they were probably overselling me. I said I would wait, and look into it further (I had no problems or issues with the car – no noises etc.). So I took it to another shop that I trust more, and they inspected the belt/​tensioner and said there were no issues, and they didn’t understand why B&S’s would have told me I needed a replacement. Also, upon leaving B&S’s, there was fluid from the flushes on my car’s paint. Yes, I have an old car, and the finish isn’t perfect, but I keep it clean and take care of it, and I expect the same from my mechanic. They should have taken 30 seconds and wiped off the drips.

In short: I won’t take my car anywhere else.
Customer service here is always great. As a girl, I get intimidated by mechanics easily but that has never been the case here. The guys here are friendly, honest, and easy to talk to.
The service is comparable to the service you’d get at the dealership except not as expensive and in some ways better because they’ll talk to you without demanding money for it.
For example, at the dealership, were I to call and say «my car is making such and such noise from this general area, it doesn’t seem to affect performance I’m just wondering what it is.» (in girly non-​mechanic speak), the dealership would say «ma’am we don’t diagnose over the phone. you’ll have to book a $ 99 diagnostic appointment for us to look at it. How’s tomorrow look?». The answer at Bobby & Steve’s is a bit more helpful: «well, its probably this or this, which is would be an $X-​amount repair but we can’t be certain until you bring it in. Might also be nothing. Doesn’t sound urgent so just let us know at your next oil change and we’ll take a quick peek while we’re down there.»
One time, I had accidentally rubbed up against a hard-​packed snow bank which bent a little piece of my fender inwards. If I had guy hands, I might have been able to pop it back out myself but it was cold outside and I’m just not that good. I was busy so I wound up taking it for an oil change somewhere else where the guy, without my prompting, offered to replace it for $ 200. I declined. Took it to Bobby and Steve’s next oil change, and when I got my car back and the guy was like «Hey I noticed that funny dent, it looked weird so I popped it back out for ya. Here’s your keys». It was good as new! Thanks dude!
I’m a little OCD, and this one rainy week, my brakes were squealing like mad. It was driving me bonkers so I drove in and asked them how much for new rotors/​pads.” $ 450 – 500? Okay fine. Here’s my card– please replace everything and return my sanity!”. The guy was like «Well first lets do the $ 20 diagnostic. If they need changing, we wont charge ya the diagnostic.» He comes back and tells me my brakes are still in good shape so I don’t need anything replaced. I tell him, «I don’t care, the noise is driving me nuts, just change them so that it stops». We went back and forth on this for a little bit until he made me realize it was stupid to pay for a service I didn’t need (With me proclaiming the whole time; «but the noise!»). Yes, that’s right, an honest mechanic who turned down a load of moolah on an easy job. So he finishes up my car, and tells me «There was some build-​up on the pads and rotors that I cleaned off before I put everything back on. It should reduce the noise a little» A little? That car never made any noises again!
On a different occasion, I had a headlight out and had just picked up the bulb at Welle Auto Supply (down the street). I had put off installing it in though because its such a pain to have to get your in at the right angle. I usually do it myself though because at the most places, they’ll charge you like 20 bucks to put in a $ 2 bulb. Right around this time, I took it into Bobby and Steve’s for a oil change with the bulb still sitting in it’s baggie on the passenger’s seat. I never said anything to the guys but when I got my car back, it was installed on my car! I thought that sweet of them!
The instance that convinced me that these guys were the über n00b pwn sauce actually happened to my sister. She always takes her car to the dealer since its newer and they included x-​amount of services with the car purchase. Except on this occasion, something had gone entirely wrong at the dealership because her car broke down the day after getting it back from the dealer for routine maintenance. Essentially the dealership guys screwed up and broke her engine by forgetting to put back the oil plug. Neither my sister or I «speak car». We’re easy bait for greedy mechanics. On this occasion the guys at Bobby and Steve’s came through. Instead of offering to fix it (and collecting a hefty fee), they called up the dealer told them they f***ed up, and got them to come pick up her car and fix it for free. The guys put in a few hour’s worth of work for this and didn’t ask for anything in return. How great is that? We wouldn’t have never been able to communicate the problem to them otherwise! My sister wound up giving the guys a nice tip on the tow to make up for it all but really, it was never asked. Most places would still charge you the diagnostic fee.
In essence, being a girl with a bulls-​eye on her head for sleazy, greedy mechanics, I definitely appreciate the guys here at Jeff, Bobby and Steve’s Auto-​world. Always friendly, easy to talk to and more often than not, I wind up saving money by going here rather than anywhere else.

I will always be a fan of the DT location, but this one will do if in the area.
Almost every time I’m here, I’m greeted and thanked which is a tad rare in customer service these days, so I appreciate the consistency at this location and the DT location.
The flour less cookie that I had to have looked good, but was taste less. Will pass on that next time. They look better behind the case then they actually taste. That’s just my take.
Iced Mocha Machine
Fountain Machine
Seating area if inclined to order something from their grill area.
Big fan of Bobby & Steve’s in general.