Master Tech Automotive -Vancouver

Reviews 3

A

Anonymous User

I just got a new job at Intel in Hillsboro and lived in Vancouver, it is a very long drive and full of traffic. After a month of doing the drive my car finally started showing its frustration. On my way to work on an idle Monday the temperature gage starts going up and I pull over to find steam bellowing from under the hood. Luckily I carry coolant with me at all times and was able to fill it up and get back on the road. This happened again before I got to work, and then twice on the drive home. Needless to say on the drive home I was on the phone with auto mechanics in the Vancouver area to take my car to first thing in the morning. I chose the first mechanic on the google search and learned very quickly why they had the advertising money to be the first result and have a big flashy sign outside their establishment. After dropping my car off a few hours later they let me know that my water pump was bad and would need replaced along with the timing belt. That was going to cost me $1100 to get fixed, and if they ran into another common issue while doing this the price could go up to $1900. Keeping in mind I just started a new job meant 1. I had no money, 2. I needed my car to get to work and 3. I could not afford to take time off work to get it fixed, financially or respectively. I was in quite the pickle. I asked the mechanic if we could do it without the timing belt and he let me know that it would be around $700 to go that route but strongly advised not to because they would have to take the timing belt off regardless and putting that strain on an already old belt that could break very soon after repair. That means that if he has to take it off regardless he is going to charge me an extra $400 to put on a new one that would incur no extra labor on a $60 part. I had to let the mechanic know that I would not be able to get anything fixed and that I would be there to pick up my car later that afternoon with no work done. I called MTA automotive located close by on a recommendation from my roommate. Kevin at MTA let me know that they could have me in and out in under a day and for less than $600 Almost half of what Ron’s Automotive was going to charge for the same exact thing. I asked about the timing belt being left off and he let me know that would only save me $60 on parts as the belt would not incur any labor costs. It was still outside my budget but Kevin let me work out a payment plan to split between my next two paychecks which worked perfect. I got my car from Ron’s Automotive and took it to Kevin at MTA (stopping to put coolant in along the way). Very soon after dropping it off at MTA Kevin called to let me know they found a leak in a hose. He fixed that and found that the car did not need the water pump replaced. Total cost parts, labor and tax under 300. I was able to pay same day and was at work on time that day. Thanks to Kevin and the great mechanics at MTA I was able to get my car fixed, within my budget, keep my job and re-instill a little of my faith in humanity. Also Kevin was nice enough to call the guys at Ron’s and let them know what they missed so they could keep a better eye out next time. I will be recommending MTA to all my friends and family. They made a very complicated situation in my life much more pleasant.

MA

MARIAH MERCADO

I went to Master Tech Automotive about two months ago to get a new sensor put into my car. Even though it was a bit expensive to get fixed, they repaired my car quickly. Kevin and Chris, the office staff, were very friendly. So, at the beginning of October I decided to take my car in for a shudder it does when I go to stop or slow down. Long story short, the mechanic and office workers racked me up a huge bill to have the water pump, all four rims, left front strut, valve cover gaskets, and serpentine belt replaced. This would have cost me $2,000. I was about to pay for everything to be repaired, but being a full time college student who works part time, I wasnt comfortable paying that much and wanted a second opinion. I decided to only get the serpentine belt replaced at Master Tech Automotive. Kevin knew my situation but decided he would not waive the $130 diagnostic fee (which they promise to do if you get a repair done at the shop). So I decided to get a second opinion from Carpenters Garage. They diagnosed the shudder issue which was fixed with a transmission service and told me to eventually replace the valve cover gaskets that are hardly leaking. This only cost me around $150. Everything that Master Tech Automotive told me to get fixed (besides the valve cover gaskets) was fine and running properly. We contacted Master Tech Automotive to have the diagnostic fee refunded to us because even if I had paid the $2,000 in repairs at their shop, the car would still have had the same shudder issue since the problem was coming from the transmission. After a heated conversation with Kevin, he said he would refund the diagnostic fee IF I would sign a waiver that stated I would not post any negative reviews on google or social media. After a few days, Chris from Master Tech Automotive contacted us saying that he and the owner were sorry for the way Kevin mishandled the issue. Chris said they would refund me the diagnostic fee and I would not have to sign any waiver. So this morning, I went into the shop to get my diagnostic fee back. Chris was really awesome about it. However, when I looked outside, the mechanic who had incorrectly diagnosed my cars issues was underneath my car looking at the tires without my permission. Then as I was walking out the door, he gave me a side comment that he almost lost his job over my complaint. I was completely shocked that he had the audacity to tell me that. Was it my fault that he diagnosed my car incorrectly and almost cost an impecunious college student her entire savings and rent/grocery money? It was never my intention for anyone to lose their jobs, but I was entitled to getting the $130 diagnostic fee back. I was so mad and upset that I left the shop crying. I would not go back to this shop solely based on the treatment from Kevin and their main mechanic. Im very happy that I took the advice to leave Master Tech Automotive and get a second opinion, otherwise I would be in debt with a car that still shudders when I stop!

MH

Mhister Pehm

Be Careful Where you Step It started with my call on Friday 1/8/2016. I called and spoke with Kevin. I told him that I needed to have a a/c compressor replaced and wanted to see if I could get a quote for a 2008 Ford Explorer 4.0L. Kevin told me that there are so many variants that he could not give me a accurate quote over the phone and I would have to come in and they would inspect it free of charge. My wife and I arrived at 3:30pm (1.5 hours later). They did NOT do an inspection and quoted $1062 for the a/c compressor and a serpentine belt replacement (based on my wifes explanation of the WRITTEN estimate received from GAYNORS - $1044 for a/c compressor and serpentine belt). I asked for a written estimate and Kevin told me their system cannot print out an estimate but that was the cost after taxes and after he reduced the price $100. No Estimate?? This is a little questionable. But I dismissed it and continued to ask if it was a kit and if the accumulator was being replaced.. Kevin said that it just shows that its a kit and they replace what it comes with. He said he was getting off in 8 minutes and needed to know if we wanted the work done so they can get it ordered. Reluctantly, I committed because I did not want my wife to continue driving the vehicle while the compressor was grinding LOUD (metal flakes were seen inside the engine compartment). He said he would call us on Saturday morning with a status. I ended up calling him just after 10am and Kevin said that he would have it repaired and ready by late Monday or Tuesday morning. My wife received a call, late Monday, from Amber stating the vehicle was ready and that the total was $1046.37 which did not include the serpentine belt because it did not need to be replaced. I am now wondering what the cost for the serpentine belt and replacement for my vehicle is - Surely not $20. I honestly felt a little uneasy with having my vehicle repaired here. I felt that we did not get the service that they say they offer. We almost came and got it on Saturday, but I was comforted by Gaynors automotive (since they did a inspection and provided an estimate - I called them) that there should not be any surprises in this repair so we decided to bite the bullet. I would not recommend you take your vehicle here unless they INSPECT it as promised, commit to the price/repairs as initially found from the inspection, AND are willing to give you a WRITTEN estimate. Maybe they forgot to discount the $100 as promised, but a written estimate would of been a good reminder.

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