I brought my car into Dobbs for a Safety & Emissions test. Routine work. Was told that it failed. Reason stated by Dobbs: "Ball Joints - Free play in any direction in a nonload-carrying ball joint...left front lower ball joint has excessive play. Right front lower ball joint has excessive play."
I was told they could fix it on Monday (took the car in on a Saturday) and it would be $495 and change.
I took the car back to the dealership that I bought it from 3 weeks prior and had them inspect the ball joints. They gave me documentation stating that the ball joints are fine and also gave me the measurements. Dobbs did NOT do this...
After returning the car to Dobbs and showing them my paperwork from the dealership, they refused to take the documentation into consideration or reinspect the car unless I paid for the work that needed to be done. They also told me that if I wanted to have the report reversed, I had to take it to State Highway.
After taking the car to State, THEY REVERSED THE GRADE!!!!! They also told me to stay away from Dobbs and Valvoline as they are notorious for lying to customers about work that does not actually need to be done. They (State Highway) also noted that they (Dobbs) did not give me the ball joint readings, something they are supposed to do.
After talking with the manager on duty about this, he told me that "the ball joints would need to be replaced at some point." Not right now but "some point".
Finally, they took my car back to be reinspected. I stood outside and watched the mechanic walk around my car one time and sign it off as passing. Didn't bother to inspect anything, just did a lap and signed off.
Do yourself a favor. DO NOT BRING YOUR BUSINESS TO DOBBS!
Had alternator replaced on 2009 Toyota Corolla. Less than an hour later started smelling something. Air conditioner wouldn't cool. Called Dobbs from my cell phone while on the road and Paul (manager?) said nothing that they did could have caused the air conditioner to fail (It was cooling fine before the repair). He told me they did not have any technicians available to look at the car and that I should have the downtown St Louis location (near where I work) look at it the next day. After I hung up from Paul the check engine light went on and I immediately pulled over. Antifreeze was on the ground under the car and when I opened the hood there was white residue all over. A wrench was sitting in between the hood and engine. I called Dobbs back and Paul said he would have a tow truck sent out. He called back later and said I would have to wait, that Dobbs had many locations. Finally, a male friend of mine called and demanded that they pick me up instead of me waiting for the tow truck. The manager, Tony, picked me and said they had not connected all of the hoses. He said they will replace radiator, connect hoses and clean engine. Hopefully this incompetent service will not ruin my engine.
Dobbs Tire & Auto Center Reviews
$495 for work that did not need to be done.
I brought my car into Dobbs for a Safety & Emissions test. Routine work. Was told that it failed. Reason stated by Dobbs: "Ball Joints - Free play in any direction in a nonload-carrying ball joint...left front lower ball joint has excessive play. Right front lower ball joint has excessive play."
I was told they could fix it on Monday (took the car in on a Saturday) and it would be $495 and change.
I took the car back to the dealership that I bought it from 3 weeks prior and had them inspect the ball joints. They gave me documentation stating that the ball joints are fine and also gave me the measurements. Dobbs did NOT do this...
After returning the car to Dobbs and showing them my paperwork from the dealership, they refused to take the documentation into consideration or reinspect the car unless I paid for the work that needed to be done. They also told me that if I wanted to have the report reversed, I had to take it to State Highway.
After taking the car to State, THEY REVERSED THE GRADE!!!!! They also told me to stay away from Dobbs and Valvoline as they are notorious for lying to customers about work that does not actually need to be done. They (State Highway) also noted that they (Dobbs) did not give me the ball joint readings, something they are supposed to do.
After talking with the manager on duty about this, he told me that "the ball joints would need to be replaced at some point." Not right now but "some point".
Finally, they took my car back to be reinspected. I stood outside and watched the mechanic walk around my car one time and sign it off as passing. Didn't bother to inspect anything, just did a lap and signed off.
Do yourself a favor. DO NOT BRING YOUR BUSINESS TO DOBBS!
Had alternator replaced on 2009 Toyota Corolla. Less than an hour later started smelling something. Air conditioner wouldn't cool. Called Dobbs from my cell phone while on the road and Paul (manager?) said nothing that they did could have caused the air conditioner to fail (It was cooling fine before the repair). He told me they did not have any technicians available to look at the car and that I should have the downtown St Louis location (near where I work) look at it the next day. After I hung up from Paul the check engine light went on and I immediately pulled over. Antifreeze was on the ground under the car and when I opened the hood there was white residue all over. A wrench was sitting in between the hood and engine. I called Dobbs back and Paul said he would have a tow truck sent out. He called back later and said I would have to wait, that Dobbs had many locations. Finally, a male friend of mine called and demanded that they pick me up instead of me waiting for the tow truck. The manager, Tony, picked me and said they had not connected all of the hoses. He said they will replace radiator, connect hoses and clean engine. Hopefully this incompetent service will not ruin my engine.