I was 8 months pregnant so I wanted to make sure anything that needed to be done was finished before I had the baby.  My brakes were making this horrible noise so I took it to Tate's to have them check it out.  Unlike most car repair shops, they don't try to tell you a hundred different things need to be fixed just because they can charge you for them.  They are honest and very timely in their repairs.  I have been using Tate's for years, 3 different cars later, and I have never had any trouble with any work they have done.

They said my problem with my inability to start the car was that I needed to get a NEW STARTER. After they supposedly installed it and I paid them for it ($387.52), I realized the problem had not been corrected. I looked under the hood at the BATTERY, that had a mountain of corrosion on it that a blind man couldn't miss. I asked them to put my starter back, but unlike a REPUTABLE dealer would do (return it to me or put it back in) they said "oh, we threw it away!". I asked DOUG to refund me the money and he said "there's nothing I can do". Wow. What kind of customer service is that??  So I realized they were giving me the SHAFT and I left.
I went to Autozone and they installed a new battery, but so much had corroded other parts of the electrical system, that it required another $300+ in repairs from the NISSAN dealer to make things right. ALSO... I had recent work done on my car at a very GOOD and HONEST dealer, who showed me that the guard that protects my oil filter and a/c system was MISSING. It's somewhat in the way, for someone changing the oil on this car... and the ONLY PLACE that EVER did my oil changes on this car was TATES. So I had to buy the guard for another $53. DO NOT USE THESE PEOPLE. They are NOT worth a moment of your time. They are NOT to be trusted. They are BAD, BAD, BAD.  I will NEVER do business with these people EVER again.

After asking several friends and doing my research I was very confident in taking my car to this shop. I had found out the shop had won the local paper's Readers Choice award for outstanding service for the past 8 years. I was treated with respect and given outstanding service. The guys were very upfront on the cost and took the time to let me know what the price would be before the repair was done on my car. Being a woman it is nice to know that I now have a place to take my car and not have to worry about someone trying to rip me off on the price or doing work that is not needed on my car. A big thanks to all the guys at Tates Automotive for a job well done.

I was quoted by Donnie Tate, the owner, that replacing the main engine belt would cost $65 for parts and labor. I was quoted this price a month before I actually had to have the car towed to the garage. When I went to pick up the car, my bill was $145.00, more than a 100% increase of the original quote. The only reason I was given for the extra charge, by someone who I assume is the shop manager, was that "the owner must have not looked it up on the computer." Being the type who will give someone the benefit of a doubt, I called the local Pontiac dealer for a quote. The dealer told me it would cost $81 parts and labor. Anyone looking to do business with Tate's Automotive Repair in Dalton, Georgia, should be prepared to endure blatant dishonesty, possibility even fraud.