AP Automotive

Relocated to this area and had multiple vehicles to register and inspect. AP came recommended from a colleague. I got appointments quickly, go t straight talk with what was needed to pass and what might be recommended for future. Used an online coupon for substantial discount. I felt very fairly treated and will be a return customer.

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Got an appointment when I needed it done. Employees were very friend and responsive. Provided an estimate of the work and cost in advanced and stayed within it. Cost was was less then I had expected by about $100. Got the work done in good time. Heard mechanic giving a female client an explanation of services provided and was extremely impressed with his knowledge and concern he showed her. Learned some things myself.

I made the appointment with AP and discussed the work that I needed done Inspection, Oil change and, tire rotation.
Chris said the total would be about $70. I thought great. I also mentioned how I am very leery about trying new mechanics for fear of getting ripped off.
I received a phone call at around noon saying that it would not pass inspection because it needed new stabilizer rods and the total cost would now be $370. I questioned the stabilizer rods and why it would not pass and Chris did and ok job with explaining. I agreed and was told the car would be ready by 5 pm. I had finished work early and stopped at AP on my way home which was about 1:30 to see what he was talking about. The car was already finished. I was thinking it probably took an hour at most or less to change these parts out since they each had only 2 nuts holding them on. I paid the bill, $370, then went home and looked up the cost of the parts.... $24 at Advanced Auto Parts. The same place where he got the parts. I was charged $74 for each stabilizer bar!! I was also charged 2 hrs labor.
I questioned the cost of the parts and was told that it was the norm to increase the cost of parts by 200 or more %.
So my bill went up $300 for $50 in parts and an hour (if that) of labor.
I'd say I got ripped off!

$123 was not the total amount I spent at this garage. The second time was $100 but I never received a receipt as I was promised it would be mailed later when the printer was running. AP Automotive is trying to establish themselves and their office was in the middle of being constructed so, the day I was there, the printer was not connected.

Brought the car in on 22 May 11 to address braking problem. Work done that day was to front rotors and rear drums. Was advised that ABS light was failing possible due to a bad wheel bearing. But was also informed that although the the wheel bearing might still be ok, the ABS sensor might be the culprit but in order to remedy the ABS light the wheel bearing would have to be replaced because the unit is one piece. I mentioned that I thought the wheel bearing was replaced by Jack Williams, in Bethlehem. Since it was less than 4,000 miles since that replacement I was going to address the problem with Jack Williams. Upon further research, I found that JW did not replace the wheel being but instead, a lower ball joint. A few days later I talked with AP Automotive and said to go ahead and order the hub assembly, that they could install it. At that same time I mentioned to them that after I left the shop on 5/22/11, whenever I used the brakes I would hear a thumping noise coming from the rear. This thumping was not present when I brought the car in. When I brought the car in the second time ( I don't remember the date) the wheel bearing was installed and I was informed that the thumping noise was probably a rear drum issue. The day after leaving the shop for the second appointment, the ABS light came on again and stayed on. That was less than 30 miles after it was worked on. On Saturday 4 June, via phone message, I informed AP about this and said that I was going to bring the car in on the following Monday, 6 June. At that time, the ABS electronics were replaced. Previously the electronics were repaired. The light has not come on since so I am satisfied that that problem is resolved. I declined to have them re-visit the thumping noise because of the following reason. When I told them that I was going to bring the car in on Monday 6 June @ 5 pm, I said that if that doesn't fit into their schedule, they should call me. Since I did not receive a call, I assumed 5 pm was ok. When I arrived at 4:50-55, there was a Jeep that was being worked on in the bay. I parked the car and went to wait in the office. It wasn't until 5:30 that I was even acknowledged that I was there. And to boot, my car was not looked at until 6:30, that is absolutely too long to wait for a 5 pm appointment. As I said, on 6 June the bearing was installed and I went on my way, knowing that I was going to have someone else address the thumping noise.

There are a few other things that I want to point out about guys who are trying to start a business of their own. The day before my 5/22 initial appointment, I put on 3 brand new wheel covers. When I got home, I noticed greasy fingerprints on them and I also noticed that there were dried streaks of sweat on the inside, driver door. You can't return a vehicle back to a customer like this.

So, AP Automotive needs to be alot more conscientious about time and the little things that customers notice. One Thursday, I e-mailed them to ask whether I should bring my car in on the following Saturday. I e-mailed them from work and told them that I would be off the next day (Friday) and if they wanted me to bring the car in on Saturday to let me know. I gave them my home number and home e-mail address. The following Monday I come into work and there is a response from them that I could bring the car in on Saturday (the Saturday that had just passed). Well, of course if I only saw the message on Monday, it was too late to bring it in on Saturday. I gave them my home number and home e-mail address specifically because I was not going to see any response from them at work. Why they didn't use my home number is beyond me.

I also want to point out that, recently, I had written AP Automotive a three page letter concerning the things that I mentioned here and have not received a response from them and still have not received a copy of my 2nd receipt. I don't believe that I have trashed AP Automotive in any way. I wanted to point out to them what their weaknesses are and, perhaps, they can improve their business.