Wells Automotive Service

Doesn't Recommend

ielegant1

Joined 5 years ago

Worst Customer Service Possible. ON Saturday August 29 I had a flat tire. Called Allstate who made arrangements at 2:45 pm for a flatbed tow from Wells Automotive. They said and hour and a After calling back personally at 3:45 and being told 4 pm and then calling back personally aat 4:15 and being hung up on called Allstate back. Spoke with Allstate three more time between 4:30 and 5:45 before even they acknowledged that Wells was no doubt not going to show. Every time they called Wells would give an ETA of another half hour. . They had been told the dealer, who was nearby was closing at 5 and they said we had plenty of time. Which we did until they didn't show. Allstate cancelled but they had no one else to call. I Called C&D towing. They said hour and a half were there in hour and 45 mins. Bad traffic on Saturday. Had proper truck, were professional and sympathetic. Wells has terrible reviews all over the place, but if you are sitting in your car with a flat tire and they are contracted with Allstate you assume reliablity becuz you surely cannot check. Write this name down and whatever motor club you belong to don't let them try and send you Wells.

Recommends

cindant

Joined 4 years ago

Many thanks to Wells. My son was stuck in Chicago. His car wouldn't start. Wells towed him, checked car out and couldn't find anything wrong. They couldve have taken us for alot of money. They were helpful and kind. Picked my son up at the hotel so he could retrieve his car..They didn't have to do that.

Honest, Helpful and if I lived in the area I would use them for my car. Thanks Wells.

Doesn't Recommend

kkenzler

Joined 4 years ago

Upselling to the tune of $686!!!!. I drive a 2001 Subaru Outback that has been meticulously maintained. In Chicago on business I was due for my 3k mile oil change. I went in and told the mechanic that I needed the oil changed and THAT WAS IT.

When I picked up the car, he tried to feed me some story about an oil leak from my valve cover. I told him that the car was pretty well maintained and I hadn't noticed any leaks under the car. He countered by saying that it doesn't take much. And that the problem was that the oil was leaking onto the wires underneath the valve cover. So I asked him to show me. To be honest, it didn't look like a problem... but I'm not a mechanic.

He then gave me an estimate for the work. Included in the estimate, new valve cover gasket, new air filter, new spark plugs, new spark plug wires. Oh, and "engine cleaning" (which he said meant wiping the corrosion off my battery). TOTAL ESTIMATE COST: $686.66 I told him I was a little suspect as my mechanic in New Jersey has been so attentive. He told me it was imperative that I get this done before leaving Chicago. (The exact quote was, "A little oil on those wires and you've got yourself an engine fire".)

Long story short, my brother (who's a mechanic) came to visit this week and confirmed my suspicions. UPSELLING CON JOB! I've read a number of bad reviews on these guys but figured I'd be safe if I was just going in for an oil job. But they still tried to get me. Probably saw my out of state plates and thought they could scare me into paying nearly $700 for a little peace of mind.

My advice is: DO NOT TAKE THESE GUYS AT FACE VALUE. Go in there with a clear idea of what you need done. If they suggest anything else, make sure you get a second (and third) opinion.

Doesn't Recommend

banker33

Joined 4 years ago

Run....Run... Run...BAD SERVICE. Bad customer service...quoted one price and once the service was completed the price doubled. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE COMPANY. They are a rip-off.

Doesn't Recommend

slkorbet

Joined 4 years ago

overcharging. I was quoted $75 for the tow plus a flat rate per mile - distance was six miles. Did not get a receipt and when the charge came through it was $225!!!!!!

Doesn't Recommend

jpharmd

Joined 4 years ago

Horrible customer service.. I got a flat tire hitting one of the many potholes in the Westloop. I called GEICO for roadside assistance. They sent someone from Wells Automotive to change my tire and replace it with my spare. When the guy showed up he "tried" to take my tire off. He said it was "stuck." He tried for maybe 2 seconds. He called a tow truck and I waited 3 HOURS for them to arrive. ( they said it would be less than 1 hour) They towed me to a tire place which had no problem replacing my tire. I'm assuming Wells makes more money off GEICO from towing than replacing a tire. I even asked the tire company if there was any reason why roadside "assistance" couldn't take tire off. They all laughed. I called Mike at Wells thinking that he as the owner/manager would want to know what his employees were doing. He didn't care. I will never use this company again.

Doesn't Recommend

sfalk1

Joined 5 years ago

Worst service ever!. I didn't choose to use this company, Volkswagen Roadside Assistance did. I called at night to have my car towed and I was told that it would either be a 6 hour wait, or that I could schedule the car to be towed the next morning. At 8:00 in the morning, I was called and told it would be there within the hour. Waited in the car from 8:45-10:15, they never showed up. Called Wells directly and the the lady that answered the phone sounded like she was asleep. She took 10 seconds, supposedly checked with the driver, though I doubt it, and then told me it would be another hour since they were backed up. Apparently they think that since I scheduled a towing, they already had my business and it would be ok to make me wait even longer. Then I looked online, saw the horrible reviews, called VW Roadside Assistance, and demanded to have a different towing company pick it up. At this point, I don't care that I have to wait another couple hours for a different company, just as long as it isn't these retards picking it up. VW says they are investigating this company and they will hopefully never use them again. Thank you citysearch, let's put these a-holes out of business.

Doesn't Recommend

Milimeg

Joined 5 years ago

TOTALLY OVERPRICED!. I went here because it was recommened by the Jiffy Lube guys on North and Kingsbury. Well, they must be getting a kick back because the charges are totally over market. Even my the Honda dealer downtown was cheaper!!!! I went in for an anti-freeze leak and came out being told I needed new front brakes, should have my rear brakes services, a leak in an oil gasket (which would need the transmission taken out and flushed) Are you kidding me???? I was given an estimate to repair all the above......$1700!!! I called my father and he said I was being taken for a ride!!!! I called around and was quoted $750 for everything at 2 other shops. I will NEVER return here!!!! AND Im telling the people at Jiffy Lube they are full of it and should find someone else to recommend people to. Cheapest I found was up on Addison and Milwaukee....excellent service and nowhere near $110/hr to have the guys sit around and smoke cigarettes, oh I meant work on your car......NOT

Bottom line.....very expensive

Recommends

munderpar

Joined 5 years ago

Lifesavor!. Last week I parked my car and found a trail of fluid coming from my car. I walked across the street to Wells Automotive Service and asked them if they could take a look at my car. I needed to make my next sales call and was in a hurry. They pushed my car into the shop and put it up in the air to find out that the last facility that did my oil change did not torque my oil drain plug properly. Wells repaired my car and cleaned up the mess that was left and had me on the road in under 30 minutes. I was able to make my next appointment thanks to their prompt service. The guys there great and I will definitely be back. Thanks for the help...Go Bears!

Recommends

LOUISSNOW

Joined 5 years ago

Best auto repair service in the city!!!. My car broke down on the expressway, I called my roadservice company and the tow truck arrived shortly after it was Wells Automovtive. My roadside assistance sent me to a big name repair facility, after 2 days there I felt like I was being taken advantage of so I called my roadside assistance, again the Wells Automotive truck met me at the repair facility in a timely manner. I asked the driver where I could take my car he suggested Wells Automotive. When I arrived, I was leary because I felt I was being taken advantage of at the other place, but when I got to Well Automotive, I was treated with respect and Frank and Pat took the time to explain everything that needed to be done to my car. I felt the price was fair and the Trevor, the technician who repaired my car, is an excellent tech and a great guy. I would highly recommend Wells to anyone.