1 /5 B. A. M.: Do NOT go to this shop. POOR business practices. POOR expertise. POOR management. Sugar Land deserves better. READ MY ENTIRE REVIEW AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELF.
OVERCHARGED FOR DIAGNOSIS $95
OVERCHARGED FOR REPAIR QUOTE BY $1600+!
I have waited several months to write this review, because I wanted to be sure I was correct.
Back in September of last year, 2024, I brought my mothers 2010 VW Jetta in because it had an intermittent ABS light coming on. She was told to bring the car in still running with the light on for diagnosis. She did and left. After two hours when we came back they had no idea why the car was parked out front.
We came back later and were told that the car needed an ABS sensor (for $125) and a ABS module (for $1600+) because both were throwing codes. Oh, and that the diagnostic fee was $95. (a sign on the wall says "diagnostic fee minimum $45") .
When I asked the guy at the counter for an invoice of the charge he acted confused like that was not normal. He said he would just have to go write "diagnostic on a receipt. He also did not provide a print out of the computer diagnostic results. So all I had was a charge for $95 on the credit card slip only. When I asked him why it was $95 for the diagnostic, instead of the $45 minimum posted he said "thats the minimum" and I said " so it cost $95 dollars just to plug it into a computer?" And he said "yes".
I dont have a problem with a fee for diagnosis. But plugging a car into a computer is about the least amount of work you can do in a shop. And then to have it increased to $95 arbitrarily without explanation is a shady business practice.
I DID EMAIL AND SPEAK TO THE OWNER: He called after I emailed and threatened to leave a bad review. He had refunded the money to my mom already but didnt have a clear explanation for why there was no procedure or explanation for the "taking advantage of someone $95 charge" other than to tell me that the guy at the desk was not the regular guy and that he had already refunded the money. The owner did not seem to have an explanation for how a diagnosis fee is actually determined in his own shop.
And now onto the $1600 ABS module repair estimate:
I did some very small amount of googling. In fact I think just one search. To find out if a bad ABS sensor could cause a ABS module to throw a code. The answer? ABSOLUTELY. If an ABS sensor is going bad, the module can get confused and throw a code.
If this information is not only simple and obvious, but easily accessible online, WHY WOULDNT THE SHOP SUGGEST THE CHEAPER REPAIR FIRST?
I was able to purchase new OEM ABS sensors for $25 each online. Installing them was easier than changing a flat tire.
It has been 5 MONTHS since then and there has not been a single light, code or issue.
Had it not been for my own involvement, my mother would have been over charged $1600 (maybe much more, cause I think that was just the part, not labor) for a repair that wasnt needed, and only required a small amount of research, caring, and concern to avoid.
These men may seem nice and there may be a bunch of framed certificates on the wall, but this shop is taking advantage of Sugar Landers like my sweet mother. Why mechanics seem to think this is appropriate business practice is beyond be.
This shop does not have INTEGRITY and thats about the most important thing in the world.
Find a different shop. From beginning to end this place is just looking to make some money.
