3 A’s Auto & Tire

Wow, I just thought I would check out Unilocal reviews for this local garage and was surprised at the «average» ratings. I guess it is true that many people only go to social media sites to complain.
I moved to the West End from out of state at the end of 2012 and needed an inspection for the cars we brought up here, so the local place got our business. They were so polite and considerate (and even funny at the front desk) that we thought they would be worth trying them out if we needed additional work done.
Since then, they have worked on my 20-​year-​old Honda Civic and my wife’s 10-​year-​old Land Rover a few times and have always done a great job. That would earn anyone at least a 4-​star rating, I think.
But I would give this local business ten stars if I could. Why? They are HONEST and I feel like they treat me the same way my dad would if he owned the shop. They have never tried to upsell me, and have actually DOWN-​sold me twice! Once they said it would not be worth paying for a new power-​window motor unless it really bothered me. So, no sale.
Then yesterday (which is what is prompting me to write this review. .. sorry it took me so long to give kudos where kudos are due!), I needed a tire put on a new rim for a spare (someone stole ours of the back of my wife’s small SUV. .. hey, we live in the West End. .. it happens). The owner said, «well, you don’t really need a new tire. .. let me go out back and see what we have.» He came back and said if he had had something used, he would have given it to me for free, but instead of selling me a cheap new tire, he sent me around the corner to another local shop where I could get a tire for $ 20 put on my rim just in case we have a flat. He gave up my business because it was in MY best interest! I couldn’t believe it. I came home and decided I should reward them.
I will be going back to them as long as the same people are running the place. If you live in the west end, there is no reason to drive out of the neighborhood to find a reputable mechanic. These guys are it. .. and maybe even worth driving to if you live on the East Side!

I’m disappointed about my experience here. Classic case of dishonest attempt at a sale. I brought my car in to have a flat tire fixed. After looking at my tire, they told me that my tires were bald, very dangerous to drive on, and would not pass inspection. They said I should buy two new tires immediately. Being that I did not know them or trust hem, I declined. My regular mechanic looked at the tires recently. He said they are worn, but won’t need to be replaced for around 5 – 6 months, and that they would pass inspection right now. Needless to say I will never go back.

I’m a fan. Not sure how this place hasn’t been sued by AAA yet, but whatever they’re doing they’re doing right. (Rumor has it the CEO of AAA’s daughter is locked in the underbelly of 3 A’s.
A stones throw away from my house, this garage is pretty huge. Like can fit probably 20 cars inside to be worked on simultaneously huge. The staff is friendly, from the women working the desk (discussing 50 shades of grey thinking they’re being vague and secretive about what book they’re whispering about.), to the staff who fixed my tire.
I had a flat… with a run flat tire, which is usually very expensive to fix or replace. This place took me straight away and though I probably waited a couple hours, they were very upfront about this since I was a last minute emergency to get it fixed for the next day, and hadn’t made an appointment.
They have a separate building to wait in which is pretty great, they have cable tv, water bubblah and a clean restroom, magazines, plenty of seating. One of the workers came in to watch a syfy show with me, and kept coming back, whistling dixie, into the waiting room to get updates with what happened to the vampire lady in it.
Everyone was friendly, and the job only cost me 10 bucks. Yep thats right, 10 bucks to fix my run flat. The man working on it told me $ 20 since it was a run flat and took forever, but the lady at the desk had already quoted me $ 10 and said she would honor that despite what he had told her.
Will definitely be back.

I went here once in August or September of this year. I walked in and asked if they would plug and patch a flat tire for me — I specified that I wanted both a plug and a patch because that would be more permanent. They said they could do it, and immediately went to work and it only took about 20 minutes, and charged me I think only 20 bucks, but they only plugged the hole (which was from a screw). A week ago the tire started leaking air, so I just had my dad put the snow tires on my car. My dad checked the tire and confirmed that the leak was in fact coming from the plug, and was annoyed at me for not making sure it got patched as well.
This place took me in on short notice, but did not do what I asked (and it wasn’t much that I asked for!)
Did they ignore my request because I’m a young woman? Did the guy I spoke to just not listen carefully to what I needed? Did they just not have enough time because they were busy and I didn’t have an appointment? I don’t know.
They didn’t seem shady, but because of this experience, I will not be going back