Wells Automotive Service

08/30/09

Worst Customer Service Possible

by ielegant1 at Citysearch

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.

• Cons: Unreliable, dishonest

08/28/09

Many thanks to Wells

by cindant at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: VEARY HELPFUL
• Cons: NONE

06/18/09

Upselling to the tune of $686!!!!

by kkenzler at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Close by
• Cons: Upselling