Advantage AutoGlass and trim Inc.

This was the most awful experience I have ever had with a car shop. I own a 1975 LIncoln Continental, Mark IV, Lipstick Addition car with 36,000 original miles. The car WAS in mint condition. I originally took the car in because of a 'star' chip in the windshield, sent by my insurance agent. During the time I was there, Tavis Barry looked over my car, pointed out some spots on the hood he said were caused by 'acid rain' and that he does 'detailing', but only on 'special' cars like mine. He said that he could get the spots off, make the exterior 'shine like new' and detail the inside. This is a show car...well, it was. He also stated he could install a vacuum part on the a/c-heat unit for 100.00. The 'detail' would be $300. I dropped the car off on May 17, and went to pick it up on May 24. He had damaged my car...put a dent in the hood, 'buffed' paint off in numerous areas down to the metal, had something red on the left front fender that would not wipe off, the dash had been wiped with armorall and left with spots on it, the rest of the inside was as it was when I brought it in, except for the filthy windshield and back window. I took the car back to him, and he was belligerant, wanting pictures of the car prior to my bringing it in to 'prove' he did the damage. I, of course, have pictures as there are only 40 of these cars made, so I sent them to him on the 28th of May. I called numerous times to find out what was going on and did not receive return phone calls from him. I started texting his receptionist after he refused to talk to me and continued to go through her, asking her when my car would be repaired. The only response from him was 'it will be done when it's done'. Meanwhile, I have friends texting me that they saw it sitting in his parking lot (he promised to keep it garaged). I finally contacted them last week telling them I had a car show on the 14th and my car needed to be ready. I was told by the receptionist I could pick it up at 5PM the 13th. I texted her back and told her I work until 6PM, so I would come the next morning at 9AM, which would give them extra time. This time I took my son with me, who is 37 years old, an amputee, and a certified mechanic. My son initially stayed in the parking lot looking at my car and I went inside to find out what was going on, as i was obvious it still was not done. As soon as I walked in the door, the owner, Tavis Barry, started yelling at me about 'why I was there' and 'he never told me my car would be done'. He yelled so loudly my son heard him from the parking lot and came in to protect me from him. The two of them got into a verbal argument and Tavis Barry threatened to call the police, which I encouraged him to do as at this point I was shaking, crying, and frightened. My son told him my car was not ready andTavis left the front office area going into the back of the shop. He pulled my car into the shop and told the 2 men that were back there to start wiping it down. As I walked back to look at my car he told me that my son was not allowed back with me. I told him that my son is coming back or I would call the police as I already felt intimidated and wanted a witness. He told me that my son was not allowed to talk. While his men were wiping down the car, I noticed further damage to my car. The dent had been taken out of the hood, but the spots that initially started this whole interaction were still there, as well as 2 more round marks from "suction cups". In addition, there was more paint missing from the hood, and the back trunk area where the word "Continental" is spelled out had touchup paint globs on where they had buffed the paint down to the metal and tried to cover it up. This had been pointed out to them before I brought it back to be repaired. Also, the chrome door edge on the drivers side had been dented and shipped, the lower edge hanging off. I had to push it back on myself. After an hour and a half of waiting for my car to be "wiped down", he contacted someone from a reputable bodyshop in Lafayette to come over and look at the car. That person, Jeff, from Bill Defouw Chevrolet was more than kind. He looked at the damage to my car and told me he could start on it on Monday morning, June 17. That is where my car is now. It is almost noon. I was told that I most likely will have to have the hood totally repainted and the back trunk lid totally repainted. Advantage Auto will be billed for this work. Tavis Barry at Advantage Auto had my car for one month. I have since found out I am not the only victim. I would not recommend this company to anyone for any reason. After an hour and a half of being yelled at, me being in tears and shaking, he called to me twice, finally saying "I'm sorry". Too little too late.

I've had two cars worked on at Advantage and both were completed on time, for the price quoted, and done very professionally. If you need work done on your car for upholstery, glass, or custom work, you will be hard pressed to find a better, more professional business, where you are welcomed, and most importantly, where your business is valued. What struck me more than anything, was that I was thanked for my business - several times. You don't hear this everywhere, but when you do, it makes you think. The first was a Lexus SUV with a well worn tear on the drivers seat. Tavis and Andrea both inspected the tear, worked hard to perfect the color and material match, and had it done BEFORE originally promised. In fact the match was so good, my wife couldn't see where the tear had been. Looks like it had never been torn! The second car had its windows tinted. Again, Tavis and Andrea were outstanding, taking the time to explain what the window tint limits are for Indiana, and what level of tint made sense and was the best value. Again, the job was completed BEFORE it was promised.