FOR KIDS AUTO REPAIR & TOWING

The Power Steering was in rough shape ---- we knew it needed new lines --- and the shocks needed to be replaced...
Very cordial reception when calling to ask if we could bring in the truck --- we were able to get it in within a couple of days.   They responded the same day (late in the day) with a quote.   The estimate for the Power Steering seemed reasonable compared to other garages that gave me a quote although 'For Kids' was a bit higher.   The Shock/struts was fairly high as well --- but I agreed.....   one thing you have to be sure to ask is the total for the entire work that would include tax/labor and parts.....    So I was thinking somewhere around $1000 for the entire job.
It was a Thursday and they weren't able to get the parts right away due to a holiday weekend so they estimated the work to be done on the following Wednesday ------    we didn't get a call until Thursday afternoon --- would have been nice to get a call to tell us status on Wednesday.
The nice lady from 'For Kids' was very cordial and explained all that was done to the truck --- they found sway bars that needed to be replaced and they weren't able to use a part I provided.... and the bill came to $300 more than I anticipated.   I would have appreciated a call prior to the work when they discovered the sway bars or any other items --- but in the end I most likely would have agreed to have the work done.     However, they also recommended that I take the vehicle to another shop to have a front end alignment since they had done so much work on the shocks/struts that it's likely to need one.   This was a disappointment to me --- apparently then don't have the capability at 'For Kids' --- but more importantly a front-end alignment should have been included in the quote and should have been done by them (even if they had to drive it down the road to get it done)....    we moved recently so we can go to our old mechanic --- my old mechanic would always do a front-end alignment for any front-end work --- but would include that in the quote and ask if I would like it done......
When I picked up the truck --- it drove fine --- very slight drift to the right on the highway but not bad --- not sure it really needed an alignment.  The shocks/struts handled the road bumps just fine and the power steering worked great as well ----   have only driven it home so I may add more to this post if I discover anything within the next several weeks.
I may use them again --- it seems they did repair the truck ---- and next time I will ask more questions about the likely total cost...