Banks Automotive

I went there today to get my car inspected. I have never gotten my car inspected on my own before, so I parked my car near the garage door where a few other vehicles were parked. I got my keys and went inside. There was one guy there and when I went inside he was eating, which was fine. But after I said hello, he responded but continued to eat. I sat there waiting for a good minute or two as he continued to eat. When he was ready to see what I needed, he went on his computer and started mumbling because he was still chewing. I couldn't hear him well but he asked if I had my keys and my registration. I said I had my keys but accidentally left my registration in the car and asked if he'd like me to get it and apologized. Frustrated, he waved his hand at me and told me sternly to leave my keys and registration on the seat. Shocked at how rude he was, I went to my car and did as he told me to. Then he opened the door and waved his hand toward the garage and shouted "Park your car over here!!" His tone made it sound like I was a complete idiot, and I was ready to drive off and leave if the other garage I knew wasn't so busy. I parked by car by the garage door and he told me to bring it back when I got it fixed since I had a problem I didn't know about with my exhaust and I still had time to get it fixed before the month was up. Appreciate that he didn't fail me for having a leak in my exhaust, but never going back. Absolutely appalled at how rude he was. Went last year with my mother and he was very nice. Perhaps it's my age and he thinks he can be rude to me since I can't do anything about it. Aw well. Can't believe it's not out of business yet.

I have been going to the Ford Dealership in Lowell for the majority of time I've owned my 2001 Ford Focus (about 6-7 yrs). To be upfront, I do realize it is a 13 year old car and that there is bound to be repairs at this age. My sister recommended Banks Auto because of the work they did on her car- fair prices and the work was done in a timely manner. I brought my car in to have my A/C condenser replaced and there was also something wrong with my engine overheating and a belt issue. The total bill was about $1,300. To me, a significant amount. A little less than a month later my car started acting sluggish and the A/C was only working sporadically. I brought it back, they said a belt was not working correctly, they replaced it- they did not charge me. Very thankful, I left thinking I wouldn't have to come back. I was wrong- I went back not only that first time but two more times. The next time my A/C completely stopped working, which the "fix" was tightening hoses, they did not charge me again. I drove my car back in two weeks after that because of the same problem. This time a hose connecting to the A/C condenser needed to be replaced. This time they charged me another $250 for something they had seemed to overlook two weeks ago, and possibly a month and a half ago if I'm being completely honest. I am very thankful for the two times they saw my car and didn't charge me, honestly- good business right there. Even for the initial repair, they did it in a timely manner; it took a little more than a day. (picked up the car the next morning when I dropped it off the morning before.) Awesome. However the fact that I needed to bring it back THREE times was wasting my time, as well as theirs. Hopefully this time the problem is fixed, but I will more than likely bring my car back to the dealership for any major repairs. Oil changes? Sure, even Inspections, fine- but anything that includes more than $100 work of work goes elsewhere.