Auto Fix Unlimited

unknown

My wifes car, a 2000 Toyota Avalon, would not start at home, so she called AAA and they came and jump-started it and stated that they believed the alternator was bad.  She went to AutoFix as it is close to our home in Sienna Plantation in Missouri City, TX, and she had a coupon for $50 off.  Well, luckily my wife called me with the estimate.  Approximately $1000.00 to replace the battery and alternator!!!  Guess they figured she was an easy mark.  I spoke to the rep she was dealing with and he said he was willing to work with me on the price.  He could get a much lesser quality alternator for around $400, that he did not recommend, which lowered the price to ~$800.  He told me he could not go any lower without them loosing money.
I told my wife to hold off and I would check for some other quotes.  Checking online with some auto parts websites, I found new and refurbished alternators for her model car for $200-300, so I knew they were over-charging tremendously!!!
I have a 2009 Toyota Camry, which I bought from a Toyota dealership in Houston, so I called them for a quote on replacing the alternator.  I also called a mechanic I have known for years, but we no longer live near his shop.  Although it took me a while to get the other quotes, needless to say they were much lower.  The dealership, which is usually more expensive on average, was only $640 to replace the alternator only.  I got a quote from the mechanic I know and that was even lower, $470.
My wife was stranded at AutoFix as the alternator was bad and it had damaged the battery.  I was told that the battery would only cost $120 (which is a little high), so I had her go ahead and replace the battery so we could take the car to the mechanic I know the next day.  Well, the final total from AutoFix was $180!!
Well, I would not only NOT recommend AutoFix (specifically, this location), but strongly advise against using them unless you like overpaying for their services.

After Auto Fix Unlimited put in the battery,  I had my trusted mechanic test the alternator and he finds NOTHING wrong with it.  So we take it home, hoping the new battery solved the problem.

Update! 1 month later.  My wife's car won't start.  I jump her car from mine and take it to the mechanic I trust.  He does a parasitic drain test for 2 days and finds no unusual drain.  Since we were going away for the wkend, he kept testing it and after 5 days there is still no unusual drain.  However when he tried to start the car (at 5 days), the battery was drained.  He tests the new battery and finds it has a bad cell.  He tells me that the battery has a low cold-cranking amps of 500 and recommends at least 600 or more.  Just checking several places online for an AC Delco 35A battery (which is what Auto Fix Unlimited installed) and find lower prices from $73 up to $110.  They charged us $169 for that battery (plus other charges) which should be around $100,

So after trying to severely overcharge us for an alternator, they still overcharge us for a cheap, weak battery that died a month later.  Going back to their shop tomorrow to return the battery and ask for a refund.  Will update later.

unknown

I had a check engine light come on in my car.  I had it evaluated and was told that is was a clutch switch input circuit (code P0704).  I purchased the replacement part for $5.00 from a local parts store.   I stopped by Auto Fix Unlimited in Cypress and talked to the manager on duty.  I explained what the trouble was, told him the code and definition of the code and that I had the part.  I asked him what it would cost to have it installed.  His answer was that it was part of the transmission and that they would have to "drop" the transmission to get at it, which would be costly.  I commented that it is only a $5.00 part and his comment was that sometime parts are cheap but the labor to install expensive.  I decided to get another opinion.  This second shop said it was an easy fix (without dropping the transmission), did it in about 10 minutes and did not charge me anything.  I do not know if Auto Fix Unlimited was not listening or just what the disconnect (if there was a disconnect) was.  All I know is what I was told by them was totally inaccurate and if they had actually performed the major work and then realized it was a simple change....   I would definitely not take anything to them again.

Auto Fix Unlimited just opened in our neighborhood, and I've had nothing but great experiences so far.  They are quick and professional.. their facility is new, and they have a really comfortable waiting room with a cool playroom for the kids.  I have a good impression so far and will definitely go back.