twg

ok, so I've been here a couple of times in the past for alignments... I've had nothing but great service in the past not to mention cheap prices for alignment.

Generally though the price and service seemed to be going downhill... first time, I was charged 50bux for 4 wheel alignment.. 2nd time it was 70bux... each time they knew I was referred from VM..

So a couple of months ago, I needed a new alignment (changed out my steering rack)... the first disappointment was that they refused to give any preferred pricing, and said that because I wanted custom camber/toe settings, they would charge me the full rate (80bux).. they told me that they would give a discount if camber wasn't going to be adjusted. I was disappointed but it wasn't that big of a deal since I'd pay for good work.

So I swing by later to pick up the car, I'm told that they could only get the camber to -1.5 all around. I was a bit surprised since I asked for either of the 2 cases:

1) -2 in front, -1.5 in back

OR

2) -1.5 in front, -1 in back

I tried to explain that -1.5 camber was not what I wanted but I believe it was Derek, he started to mumble that -1.5 was the most they could get without slotting the strut holes... I politely explained that while -1.5 in front is fine, I wanted -1 in the back which is less than the max possible camber, Derek either did not want to understand or he just did not understand, he kept mumbling that this was the maximum possible camber without modifying the strut holes. After politely debating this for 5min, Derek took my keys, threw them onto the counter at me, and said, "ok, we're done... take your car and go". I was a bit shocked by this, I hadn't been yelling or screaming and I wasn't making any crazy demands. Derek said, just go, you don't need to pay. To me, it wasn't about paying or not, I'd happily pay for a service, and I feel that the mechanics should be paid for their work, but they should also be accountable for the work and do it right. I drove from Waterloo down to Cambrdige and spent couple of hours of my own time waiting for me car.

It was clear Derek didn't want to deal with this problem anymore so I simply took my keys and left. As I was leaving, the lady receptionist was looking at the original work order and noticed that they had written the original request wrong, they only had my 1st option above listed... Derek didn't even look at the order and kept mumbling his "max allowable camber without modification" mantra. I even left my cell phone and asked them to call me if there are any questions whatsoever.

While I had great experience in the past with them, I will not be returning. This kind of leaves me in a dilema since I now have to either find another reputable shop friendly to custom alignment settings and does a good job here in town, or take it to a shop I know in Mississauaga... I suspect I'll have to do the latter.

YMMV