I have been going there for years. They were wonderful until recently. Bill, the owner was great. He always took time to explain things and seemed generally concerned about keeping his price low or at least competitive with their prices.

The only complaint I had with them until then is that it usually look a lot longer to do things than they estimated. Since most of my repairs were small... loosing a full day rather than half of one was not too big of a deal.

However, recently I blew my transmission. Ok. That happens. I had my car towed in. And while I dont expect them to drop everything when ever I come in the shop to work on my car. They did not even LOOK at that car for 2 and 1/2 days. If I had known they were so backed up, I would have brought it some where else. Chris oringally told me that he would look at it the same day it came in. He explained to me that they dont do the transmission work there... but send it off. Ok. Well when he did not call that evening... I assumed he got busy. At 2 the next day I called... and he STILL had not looked at it. He promised me to call me that evening. He called that evening... but STILL had not looked at it. At this point, I am thinking forget it, but I am trying to be patient. He said that he suspected I used the wrong Transmission fluid when I added a pint to it the other day. I explained to him that I used the fluid that the car manual told me to... (sp) Decron III. He told me my car does not use that kind. Well... why would the manual say you can use it if you cant? I assume the figure since I am a woman I dont know the first thing about cars.

He said I was going to be the first car they started the next day. Ok... feeling a little better that the ball is rolling now. His suggestion was to flush the fluid and put new fluid and a Lucas in it. I did not see how different transmission fluid was going to fix it, but I appreciated that he was "trying to save me money".

I had not heard from them but 1 the next day. Does it really take 5 hours to flush a transmission? I called and they said they had just flushed the transmission and were about to take it out for a test drive. He would call me in about 30 minutes. 2 hours later I called them back and they said it did not work... I was looking at needing a rebuilt transmission. Well... if they had removed the pan in the first place on the day we brought it in... my transmission could have already been at the place they send it to... being worked on.

Ok... hindsite is always 20/20. Anyway... they gave me the price. 2500.00. Well I kinda choked on that. He said it was 1600 to rebuild it... plus the cost of what they have already done. I am thinking... 900 for a tow a flush and to take the transmission out and put it back? REALLY!?! Also... the guy could not start on it until at LEAST monday. That is a whole week I m renting a car that my car is not even being touched.

So that evening I talked to my friend who is a mechanic. He said... it sounds like you are getting taken for a ride. .. no pun intended. So he called around a bit and found out that I could get a rebuilt engine INSTALLED for 1600. If I got it to this other place, it would be a max of 4 days. I will have my car back on Tuesday rather than Friday or Saturday.

I am afraid that a 900 dollar difference is enough for me to start looking for a new mechanic. Apparently now they are over pricing AND not working timely. I know I still need to settle up with them. And I will, but since I dont have to pay for them to take off the transmission... I am assuming a flush and a tow wont be anymore than 200 bucks. Still a savings of almost 200 not including what I will save on rental. It is a shame, because I was always happy with the work they did. I know the last time I was in the shop, I saw Bill and I mentioned all the new faces in the garage and how busy he was. He mentioned that since this new guy came to his shop, his profit has skyrocketed. Now I know why. I am really sad because I was referring a lot of my friends to his shop. In fact, I had even recommended my nephew have his car brought there during this whole ordeal. His car came in after mine and was out the next day.

I truely do believe that they are not able to handle the big jobs. They should be restricted to the little ones.

Anyone know a good mechanic in Friendswood. I wont return here after being taken for a ride.

Bill go back to your old ways. The profit you are gaining now will quickly dissapear when you lose customers and word of mouth advertisement.