I felt compelled to write a review of Shultz Auto and Truck Repair located at 5085 Southwestern Blvd, Hamburg NY. I specifically sent my son to Schultz Auto, to have his car looked at, based on the pages and pages of positive reviews they share on "their" website. However, after leaving our car in their hands, it became clear that they do not share the full picture of everyone’s experiences. I can honestly say that I would not recommend their services to anyone.
As for my personal experience, we live out of state but my son attends college in the Hamburg area. He was experiencing an issue with his car and we couldn’t get any recommendations on trustworthy local mechanics from other students/parents, so while we were researching mechanics, we suggested he take the car to the local Auto Zone to get a quick diagnostic.
Auto Zone ran a diagnostic and shared with him the error code. They said he needed a new ignition coil and may want to have his spark plugs looked at/replaced.
This was all occurring only a few weeks away from Thanksgiving break and knowing he had a 8 hour drive home, we needed to find a trustworthy local Machinic to replace the coil and/or plugs.
We called Schults Auto and explained the issue. We made an appointment for my son to drop off the car.
After looking at the car, they sent us an absurd estimate. They estimated the repairs at $5,827.46. Keep in mind I only paid $8000 for the car when I bought it 3 years ago.
This estimate included a full diagnostic charge of $244.96. This was clearly over inflated as my dealership only charges me $170 for a diagnostic. Also, this was not even necessary as we shared what the issue was and what we wanted them to look at and fix.
Additionally, the quote was LOADED with unnecessary work including a brake job which, we just had brake work done 4 months earlier.
At this point, we knew we were being taken advantage of. We were now stuck with a $244.96 (unnecessary) diagnostic charge, but we were trying to figure out if it would be better to just have my son try to drive or tow the car to a dealership or another mechanic. However, we still did not know where else to take the car. So we decided that we would just have Schultz change the spark plugs because we wanted to get the car back, and drivable, so that my son could make it home (safely) and we could take it to our mechanic, who by the way was floored by what this business was estimating.
So we declined all the unnecessary work with the exception of replacing the plugs (no wires, nothing else, just plugs) which was $533.09 and when you add in the $244.96 diagnostic, taxes and fees, we were charged $808.50 to have spark plugs replaced.
I feel completely taken advantage of because my son is a college student and we live out of state and I could not be there to help him with this. As a mom, it is extremely hard to send a kid off to another state to go to school. So you pray that there are good/honest people around him that will help him and treat him the way they would want someone to treat their kids. Being so far away, I feel completely helpless in these situations and I worry for other moms/parents in the same situation. The only thing I can do is share my story (which I am doing), so hopefully I can spare someone else from being taken advantage of.
LP
Lindsay P.
Orchard Park, NY
02/16/2023
0
PRICE GOUGING - $500 FOR CHECK ENGINE DIAGNOSIS AND COOLANT LEAK CHECK
These people cannot be trusted. Absolute price gouging at it’s finest. I’m a young woman and have been bringing in my car to them for regular servicing for years. I thought this was a place I could trust until I came in with a check engine light and signs of a small coolant leak, and asked them to take a look. $500 just for a diagnosis! Insane. I complained and they magically knocked down the price to $370. Hmmm, doesn’t sound like an honest, fair price when you can reduce it by $130 just from complaining. As a sanity check, I called 2 other repair shops in the area (including the Volvo dealer) and the most expensive price I was given for the same scope of work was $180. Talked with the owner after this whole ordeal and he was adamant that this is their going rate for a diagnosis.
Side note, I’m a mechanical engineer by degree and know a few things about cars and truly think they took advantage of me because I am a young woman. This is why I will spend my weekends working on my own damn car from now on. It is so hard to find a trustworthy shop, and this place is certainly NOT it.
RM
Rob M.
Buffalo, NY
02/10/2023
0
Absolute thieves
Took my truck in and when I scheduled the diagnostic I was told $250 to even pull my truck in the shop, when arranging appointment I told them I had carbon buildup around up pipe for turbo and tuner shooting a p0675 trouble code (# 5 glow plug circuit) I get a call a few hours later saying everything I told them was wrong before I took my truck there was actually what was wrong with the truck
Long story short I support small business as I own one myself and support anyone trying to make a living wage .. Shultz quoted me $2700 to do glow plug wiring harness and new up pipe.. I was furious I called a reputable shop and they are replacing BOTH harnesses as well as ALL EIGHT glow plugs and new up pipe for less than $1000 no $250 diag fee
I wouldn’t go back there if they were last diesel mechanics in the country.. they are dishonest and crooks
JR
Janet R.
Boston, NY
11/25/2019
Thank you
Just got my car fixed and I couldn't be happier. Very nice owner and very nice employees. Great service. I will be back again. Thank you again.
Janet Ricciardi
Recommended
CZ
Christopher Z.
Hamburg, NY
Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
01/04/2018
Verified Customer
Category: Service
Christopher said the staff were very helpful when servicing his vehicle at this business. They were extremely considerate, friendly, and easy to talk to. He appreciated how well they communicated what his vehicle required.
Battery died Friday evening before Christmas, after being jump started by AAA, the technician called his shop to make sure they had a battery for my car, and they stayed open late to accommodate me and all at a very fair price. Very impressed will definitely return and recommend
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Verified Customer
As for my personal experience, we live out of state but my son attends college in the Hamburg area. He was experiencing an issue with his car and we couldn’t get any recommendations on trustworthy local mechanics from other students/parents, so while we were researching mechanics, we suggested he take the car to the local Auto Zone to get a quick diagnostic.
Auto Zone ran a diagnostic and shared with him the error code. They said he needed a new ignition coil and may want to have his spark plugs looked at/replaced.
This was all occurring only a few weeks away from Thanksgiving break and knowing he had a 8 hour drive home, we needed to find a trustworthy local Machinic to replace the coil and/or plugs.
We called Schults Auto and explained the issue. We made an appointment for my son to drop off the car.
After looking at the car, they sent us an absurd estimate. They estimated the repairs at $5,827.46. Keep in mind I only paid $8000 for the car when I bought it 3 years ago.
This estimate included a full diagnostic charge of $244.96. This was clearly over inflated as my dealership only charges me $170 for a diagnostic. Also, this was not even necessary as we shared what the issue was and what we wanted them to look at and fix.
Additionally, the quote was LOADED with unnecessary work including a brake job which, we just had brake work done 4 months earlier.
At this point, we knew we were being taken advantage of. We were now stuck with a $244.96 (unnecessary) diagnostic charge, but we were trying to figure out if it would be better to just have my son try to drive or tow the car to a dealership or another mechanic. However, we still did not know where else to take the car. So we decided that we would just have Schultz change the spark plugs because we wanted to get the car back, and drivable, so that my son could make it home (safely) and we could take it to our mechanic, who by the way was floored by what this business was estimating.
So we declined all the unnecessary work with the exception of replacing the plugs (no wires, nothing else, just plugs) which was $533.09 and when you add in the $244.96 diagnostic, taxes and fees, we were charged $808.50 to have spark plugs replaced.
I feel completely taken advantage of because my son is a college student and we live out of state and I could not be there to help him with this. As a mom, it is extremely hard to send a kid off to another state to go to school. So you pray that there are good/honest people around him that will help him and treat him the way they would want someone to treat their kids. Being so far away, I feel completely helpless in these situations and I worry for other moms/parents in the same situation. The only thing I can do is share my story (which I am doing), so hopefully I can spare someone else from being taken advantage of.