Childers Automotive

BEWARE of this local mechanic - Childers Automotive in Sulphur Springs is UNACCEPTABLE and should be avoided at all costs. Zero stars is too generous. Negative stars if I could. I dropped my car off at Childers Automotive in Sulphur Springs on Friday, June 27th, 2025. I was told it might take a couple of weeks for them to get to it, but they’d be able to diagnose it before then. That seemed fair, so I left it with them. Big mistake. On July 2nd, I called to check in. They answered, but the person on the phone was noticeably irritated, dismissive, condescending, and made me feel like I was bothering them for daring to ask for an update. This was my livelihood on the line, and I needed to plan a temporary vehicle. I was told I needed all new fuel injectors and an intake cleaning because of carbon buildup. This was going to cost me close to $2,000. I accepted their word at the time, assuming they were competent and honest. I understood that parts take time, so I rented a car to give them time to do the work. Then came the complete collapse of any professional communication - the black hole of silence. I called back on July 7th - no answer. Again on July 11th, I called twice… nothing. I needed something from my car so I went in person, and while there, I asked for an update. I was told they were still waiting on parts. No apology. No sense of urgency. No proactive communication. Just cold indifference. Then on July 18th, I called again, twice more, still ignored. So I had a friend call immediately after. Like magic, they answered on the first ring. That’s when I realized they were intentionally dodging my calls. My friend asked for an update and was told they’d look into it and call back - they never did. On July 22nd, I called three times back-to-back - no answer again. I had another friend call. Again, they answered immediately. But this time they told him: “We’re not going to get to it. You can come pick it up.” Weeks of my time wasted. Hundreds of dollars down the drain on rentals and rides. All because they couldn’t be honest from day one. Instead, they strung me along, lied, ignored me, and showed complete disrespect for my time, my money, and my situation. So after holding my car hostage for nearly a month, they admitted they were never going to do the work at all. No remorse. No explanation. No professionalism. Just smug, dismissive arrogance. This was hands-down the most unprofessional, irresponsible, disgraceful and shady excuse for a business I have ever encountered. If you value your car, your money, or being treated like a human being, avoid this place like the plague. I retrieved my car from this atrocious excuse for a company on July 22nd. The very next day, on July 23rd, I took it to a different shop (Robinsons Automotive) for a second opinion. They quickly diagnosed and fixed the real issue. It wasn’t the fuel injectors or intake that needed cleaning, as I was told. The actual problem was worn spark plugs and coil packs. A much simpler and cheaper repair. My car is running and driving perfectly now. So not only was the original diagnosis completely wrong, it reeked of either incompetence or a deliberate attempt to overcharge me by nearly $1,500. I had my car back in working condition within the week. Big thanks to Robinsons Automotive! They communicated every step of the way, inspected the entire vehicle, and even returned it to me on a Sunday. That’s how a real business treats people!

unknown

Knowledgeable, professional, and reasonable.

Handled repair in a very timely mannor, very polite and professional.