Alamo Heights Garage

8719 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78217, USA

Address:	8719 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78217, USA
Phone:	+1 210-826-4431
Site:	ahgarage.com
Rating:	4.7
Working:	7:30AM–5:30PM 7:30AM–5:30PM 7:30AM–5:30PM 7:30AM–5:30PM 7:30AM–5:30PM Closed Closed

Location

Photos 9

Reviews 5

Jay Goldberg

DISCLAIMER: I am adept at repairing my own vehicles, and have a thorough understanding of automotive technologies and the expected time and complexity involved in servicing most components and systems of cars and trucks. So my review comes from this perspective. Alamo Heights Garage is a "leave it for the day" kind of place, like a dealership. You really wont want to wait for your vehicle unless youve made prior arrangements. I left my vehicle in the morning. I will say that I loved the shuttle service, very convenient to drop me off at work. Unsure if they offer a pick-up service. I was underwhelmed by the Service Advisors customer-facing skills. "Anne" appeared uninterested in me and my auto repair needs, seeming to answer in short spurts and really not "selling" me anything, this will come up again later. I requested an oil change to start and to look at some other issues, and requested a quote to have the brake system bleed. They called at 11:14am and let me know that the oil change was done, and that the brake bleed would cost $180. I was a bit shocked by the price. A brake bleed done with a tool called a "pressure bleeder" that forces brake fluid to the wheels without having to have someone pump the pedal, is a 30-minute job. Anne told me that the time required was 1.5 hours. What this told me is that they dont have the tools to do the job, and are instead taking the long route and charging ASE Tech rates (upwards $100/hr) to do so. When I questioned the price, I was expecting a sales pitch of some sort, such as "We use certified ASE techs and we warranty all work for the life of the vehicle" or SOMETHING to convince me why it was so much more expensive than Brake Check down the road who quoted $80 for 30-45minutes of work, where I eventually had the work performed. For that price I really expected the "white glove" service, but I really got the "just a number" service. I actually brought this up with the advisor on that phone call, and I was told that their shop probably wasnt the place for me, and I told her that I agreed. In retrospect, I should have known that any place that charges a minimum fee of $105 to read the computer code for a Check Engine light was not a shop that I would do business with. A "code read" is a value-add service: it helps them sell you the repair job. Since code readers can be purchased under $40 at any auto store, and many auto stores will even read and reset codes as a courtesy--it seems ridiculous that any shop would charge you for this. Really, at this point I wasnt even going to leave a review, except that I received a call later in the day saying that the shop closes at 5:30pm, and that if I wanted my truck that day, Id have to get there before that time. I had just assumed, again, that a shop charging these prices and with such great reviews MUST be open until 6pm because thats when people can arrange a ride from work back to the shop! They were gracious enough to stay until 5:45pm, but again, I would have expected 6pm at least. In addition they are closed on weekends. I did like how I could schedule an appointment on their website (though the site is currently down). Your results may vary...but to me it seemed no better than a dealership, with the added complexity that if they need to get parts, they still have to wait on the dealership, delaying your repair.

Dianne Law

We were referred to Alamo Heights Garage in 1989 when we arrived in Military Town USA on our last assignment. We have a long and honest history. It never ceases to amaze me the greed of the "dealerships" in San Antonio. Our last reinforcement of this was when I took our new Toyota to the North Park dealership for its 30000 mile check up and they quote me an outrageous figure, when I questioned what all that entailed, their list was to check items our truck did not even have. When I brought this to their attention, they only said that is was the service fee. I immediately brought the vehicle to Alamo and they accomplished the inspection at a savings of 300%. I also haul horses around Texas and often out of state. I always run the haul vehicle to Alamo for a pre-trip inspection. The vast majority of the time, my truck passes with glowing praises for the health of the vehicle, all which rack up tremendous mileage. But when they do find something it has always been a small but important fix that would have cascaded into dire circumstances if left unattended on the road. The attention to detail is appreciated. Their concern for ME, as displayed by the way they take care of our vehicles, can have no greater reward than my return service and my deepest thanks.

Daniel Barrientes

Just another charge for unnecessary repairs garage. Went in for a state inspection and was failed due to a bulb that I missed and the horn not working. I was told "the whole headlight assembly has to be removed in order to place that bulb in there" which was true but it was also just 2 wing nuts to detach, fixed in 5 minutes with a 2 dollar bulb and no tools. No big deal there. My problem is with the horn, when I stated it was a fuse that I had forgotten to replace, the gentleman assisting, Greg, stated "No we checked the fuses, more than likely theres a part behind the airbags which has to be removed to replace. Or it may be a relay." After insisting it was the fuse and Id go somewhere else, he came back 8 minutes later and told me "well it was the fuse but your horn isnt loud enough." This is the reason I absolutely despise going to places like this that rely on unsuspecting people that dont stick up for themselves. I paid the extra money and went to an inspection station where they said my horn could be heard 200 feet away which is the requirement in Texas.

Anonymous User

Gary and Darla - You are the best! It is such a horrible feeling to have your car die in the middle of a busy street and need to get it off the road (somehow!) and towed - but to have that happen twice in one week (plus the insult to injury of knowing that on top of the initial fear of the danger and the anxiety and inconvenience of a dead car - knowing "this cannot be cheap!" makes it all so much more upsetting and overwhelming.) But your personalized service - your prompt response and your over-the-top integrity on crediting me when the first "fix" wasnt what was needed was more what I would expect you would do for family than just a customer. I truly didnt think people could be that honest and caring. I already AM recommending you to everyone I know, but I am doing so even more enthusiastically now :-) Thank you!!!

Jon Thomas

I brought my girlfriends 07 Corolla in for service last week. The service is always top notch and the staff professional and courteous. Anne is my favorite. She calls me with any follow up car issues weather I am in town or traveling. I have been a customer for over ten years. Ill never go anywhere else. Jon Thomas and Cindy de Leon New Review. 7/12/2017 I have done business with Alamo Heights garage for over ten years. The service they provide has always been excellent. Gary and Darla are nice customer first oriented people. As well as Ann the service manager. Meghan too. I have been quoted prices for work and then to find out the service provided was less than the quote. I take both of my vehicles in regularly for service and have always been very satisfied.