Affordable Auto Repair Poor Quality of work Gaylord Michigan

I think the label of "ripoff" is totally unaccepable. I've had work done multiple times by Affordable over the last 4 years. My experience has been nothing but positive. It's an honest business, run by a very experienced owner. Pat does not sugarcoat a problem, or believe in the "band-aid" approach for repairs. Neither does he jack up his price by upselling parts you don't need. It's a locally-owned business, and they wouldn't be in business today without the confidence of the local folks.

After reading the original complaint and the owner's reply, I'm convinced Pat did nothing wrong or unethical here. Most independent shops don't make a huge profit on parts - that's what dealerships are there for. Their bread & butter comes from skilled mechanics and customer satisfaction. This combination not only saves the customer money, but provides value. Saving money on a half-a$$ repair is no baragin at all. What owner would provide a warranty if they couldn't choose the best parts for the job? Anybody?

Pat told it like it was to this customer, just as I expect him to do when I come in with a problem. If I choose not to follow his advice and settle for less than his best, that's my choice - and I'll accept the consequences. The unhappy customer was not lied to or flim-flammed, and the extra cost for parts was chump-change. Bad call, amigo - pure and simple. Next time go to a dealership or shade-tree outfit, and see how you make out.

I know that this posting is a few years old, but I happened to come across it on the internet rather easily and so obviously many people will still see it, and so I wanted to respond to it. 

I just wanted to say that my husband and I have had numerous repairs done at Affordable Auto in Gaylord, Pat and his crew have helped us out many times by providing the labor and help on installing parts that we have had to purchase elsewhere at a lower cost because of financial issues, and they have always done an excellent job, we have had no issues with their standard or quality of work or their professionalism. 

We first went to Affordable Auto based on several referrals from coworkers who praised this repair shop as high quality workmanship at a reasonable price, and we have never regretted it.  I just wanted to put in a good word for this business, no business can please everyone, once in a while issues come up that cannot be helped, but as stated in the earlier rebuttal by Pat he very clearly tells the customer that there are no guarantees on parts that were not purchased through his shop we have never had an issue with any of the work he has provided when we left.  I just felt bad when I saw such a harsh report on a good business, honest business owners are difficult to find these days and it is sad to see a good one being called a rip off artist because of one misunderstanding with a customer, I do empathize with the customer I've been angry at businesses many times in my life and said negative things, but despite what may have happened in this situation I wanted to give a positive endorsement to Affordable Auto, they are one of the last good customer oriented businesses out there.

thanks
Michelle P.

I guess I'm amazed that someone would even have the guts to bring in their own parts and ask the mechanic to install them.

Then I'm surprised you agreed to do it for obvious reasons.

Here's why!

WHEN THIS 87 CHRY.CAME IN THE CUSTOMER ASKED IF WE WOULD PUT VALVE COVER GASKETS ON HIS CAR BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING AND HE HAD THE PARTS HE WAS TOLD THAT WE WOULD, BUT WE COULD NOT WARRANTY THE JOB BECAUSE WE DID NOT PROVIDE THE PART'S HE ASKED WHY AND WAS TOLD THAT WOULD BE LIKE TAKING A STEAK TO A RESTAURANT AND HAVING THEM COOK IT AND THEN COMPLAIN THAT THE MEAT WAS BAD, MY POINT IS THAT YOU BROUGHT THE PART BUT THERE ARE NO NEW BOLT'S AND THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED WHEN DOING VALVE COVER GASKET'S ESPECIALLY WHEN A CAR IS THAT OLD HE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE OK HE DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY. SO WE PUT HIS PART'S ON HE CAME BACK ABOUT A MONTH OR SO LATER AND SAID THE VALVE COVERS WERE LEAKING I LOOKED AT THEM AND TOLD HIM THEY SHOULD HAVE NEW BOLTS PUT IN HE GAVE ME A HARD TIME SO I TOLD HIM AFTER LUNCH I WOULD HAVE A MAN RETOUQUE THE BOLT'S BUT I COULD NOT SAY THAT WOULD FIX IT HE WAS MAD AND LEFT AND NEVER CAME BACK FOR MY MAN TO TOURQUE THEN BOLT'S AND NOW I FIND THIS UNFAIR REPORT ABOUT MY SHOP WE DO GIVE A FULL WARRANTY ON OUR REPAIRS THAT WE PROVIDE THE PART'S FOR AND OUR LABOR RATE IS THE LOWEST IN TOWN . IM SORRY THIS GENTELMEN WAS NOT HAPPY AND WISH I COULD CORRECT THAT BUT I CAN'T FIX A PROBLEM WITH SOMEONES PARTS THAT I DID NOT PROVIDE

PAT.