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We've taken our car to Cobble Hill Super Service (Atlantic and Henry) a couple of times. Its the only AAA garage around I'm aware of. Every time they find some strange thing wrong with the car that costs $$$. Maybe it's just our old car and there are lots of things wrong.... but does anyone else have experience going there? Good or Bad? Anyone recommend any other garage in the area?
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Subject: Cobble Hill Super Service
I'm pretty sure that they are crooked. Either way, they are terrible mechanics. The first time I called AAA, the grarage told me I needed a new battery. They installed it incorrectly, and the car sputtered to a halt on the highway at midnight. The next time they gave me a faulty alternater that also caused the car to break down. The last time (I know, I'm slow to learn from my mistakes), they installed an oil filter incorrectly, and caused hundreds of dollars of damage to my engine. Avoid them if it is at all possible. -
Also, I just checked the AAA website (I need a jumpstart tomorrow and was preparing for a fight with AAA about my not wanting Cobble Hill) and they are no longer listed as a AAA garage. I guess other people complained, as well.
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Subject: garage recommendation
I used to go to a great garage when i had a car. Go to J+E service station on Hicks and rapeleye, on the columbia street side of the BQE. They are great, honest, and won't overcharge you. Plus they are really nice guys (although they can seem gruff at first). I took my car there for 2 years before I got rid of it. It was an old car and I didn't have much money to put into it...they only did the minimum needed to get it back working and would ask me if I wanted to go further. Ask for Nat. their # is 718-625-3848 -
Subject: J+E service station on Hicks and rapeleye
anyone have any opinions on their service? or receomendations on auto repari shops in the area? -
Subject: Cobble Hill Super Service
I was stuck with these guys after a breakdown on the weekend when all other garages were closed. They were hands down the worst mechanics I have ever encountered. They ripped me off by faking work. They left my ride up on the lift and just let the hours tick away. They did not complete the work they promised to do. My car is in worse shape then before. These guys trashed the inside of my vehical with garbage and greasy foot prints. They were not helpful, rather, harmful. Drag your car anywhere else. Everyone says Alfa Motors on Hicks is great. -
Subject: Bad Mechanic - Good Mechanic
Regarding the post about the bad mechanic at Atlantic and Borehum Place - it's true they are 100% rip off artists - they held my car hostage saying that I needed new brakes when I took my 2 yr old car in for inspection. Wouldn't inspect it w/o my consent for new brakes and my inspectiion date was about to expire on the coldest January day, so I agreed not wanting to take it to another garage on the coldest and windiest day of the year. Then I called a Volkswagen serivce rep who said most likely the car did not need new ones, the brake pads on VW's are always assessed by other (idiot) mechanics as over worn, when they are truly not. That was a $350 lesson, thank you. I have a truly wonderful mechanic - a little farther away, but worth the extra travel. They are Tillary Auto Body and are now (moved over last yr) on 3rd Ave. betw. 10th and 11th Sts. Jack, the owner is truly wonderful - very honest and runs a very clean garage. He is Asian and I found him wonderful to work with. For little things you can wait for the car until ready, like an oil change. For other things I guess you can take the F train back from 4th Ave. and 10th St. to our area. I used to go to him when the garage was on Tillary St (hence it's name). Here is how to get in touch with him: Tillary Auto Body/ Mechanic, 492 3 Ave., 718.488.9725. If you call and speak with Jack, lease tell him that Pamela with the VW referred you to him.Pamela Warren
The Art of Conscious Living
Nutrition Consultant,
Eastern and Western Perspectives on Health -
Subject: They ripped me off too...
I was stuck and had to deal with them through AAA. They also installed a faulty alternator in my car which had to be replaced two days later.... -
Subject: urban classics
that place (atlantic and henry) i'm pretty sure is a rip-off. i used to take our 96 camry there a lot despite feeling ripped off and confused as to why they couldn't hear the sounds i was hearing, so i bit the bullet and next time around went to urban classics, up near grimaldi's and five front. they are super nice there and somehow i just trust them more. the thing is i feel like car work is so expensive already, so why not go someplace where you at least trust the staff. -
Subject: re: do not use this garage...EVER
My car was towed here for a dead battery. I was charged $800 for a new battery and some other parts + labor (I have never had a problem before with this car - a 4 year old LandRover Discovery). Now...this shop had an "accident" with my car after the battery had been installed. The owner claimed that he had mistakenly pressed the gas pedal and crashed my car into one of the gas pumps in the middle of the night. When I came with the police to file an accident report he then said that one of his employees had been at the wheel. My car is in fact TOTALED. The back wheel is bent off axis, there is no steering since the tie rod/steering rod apparatus is completely destroyed. My front bumper and all lights are in shambles. When AAA came to tow the car off his lot, they could not move it without dollies and a flat bed truck because it was so damaged. Tell me: how you do wreck a car while moving it around a gas station...at what 5mph max?! What is anyone doing driving a repaired car in the middle of the night?! I am looking for a good lawyer, so if anyone knows one... DO NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR THIS SHOP. -
This place is a total rip off. Brought my car for inspection, when I went to pick it up, he charged me for new windshield wipers. I had new wipers installed a week before in preparation for the inspection! STAY AWAY -TOTAL RIP OFF
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I AM AN ATTORNEY IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS. I TAKE MY LAND ROVER, MY WIFE'S MERCEDES & MY DAUGHTER'S AUDI TO THE COBBLE HILL GARAGE & HAVE BEEN FOR PAST THREE YEARS. THEY PROVIDE THE MOST PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & MAINTENANCE OUTSIDE THE DEALERSHIPS AT A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER PRICE. OUR CARS HAVE NOT NEEDED ROADSIDE ASSISSANTS SINCE DEALING WITH THIS GARAGE EXCEPT FOR A FLAT TIRE. I USED TO GO TO BOERUM & ANTLANTIC GARAGE ONLY TO BE CHARGED MORE W/ RESULTS THAT WERE INFERIOR. I EVEN GET MY GAS FROM THEM & THE SEVICE IS GREAT. I JUST LOOKED ON THE AAA WEBSITE & THEY ARE A TRIPLE A AFFILIATED REPAIR SHOP. I HOPE THE RESPONSES THAT I READ ON THIS WEBSITE ARE NOT FAULSE SO THAT OTHERS MAY GAIN FINANCIALLY. FURTHERMORE SINCE THEY ARE A AAA REAPIR SHOP THIS WEBSITE MAY WANT TO LOOK INTO CERTAIN MATTERS BEFORE POSTING. I WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE OUR CARS THERE.
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While I may have a pretty low opinion of attorneys, even I very much doubt that a real lawyer would exhibit such abysmal grammar, spelling and email ettiquette (all caps, i.e. shouting). This obvious shill for Cobble Hill Super Service and his illiterate and vaguely threatening post should be reason enough not to patronize the place.
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I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AT THIS GAS STATION REGULARLY. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM & HAVE RECOMMENDED THERE SERVICES TO OTHERS IN THE PAST. NEVER HEARD A COMPLAINT.
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been going there for three years. excellent service. even when they're extremely busy they find the time to service my car. would recommend anyone.
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I took my car in there and asked them to check it out before we drove down to Florida. Wanted to make sure it was in good running order. They called me and said they found several things that needed to be fixed, to the tune of $700. When we got down to florida the car broke down. We took into a mechanic there who informed us that not only was none of the work we paid for completed, but it didn't even need to be done. When we called and talked to them about the service Manager Tony basically said, "Well I ordered the parts, but I have no idea if they were installed." I'd been taking my car there for years, and kind felt like I was getting scammed. Now I know for sure. Not only did they rip us off, but endangered our lives on a long trip. I also recently found out that one night when they were storing my car for service in the AM they parked it illegally on the street and i got a ticket. they never said anything about it. STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!
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man alive I have had a terrible experience with these guys too. This is really a shame. A shame because I wish I had read this sooner!!!
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Subject: Cobble Hill Super Service
OMG!!! I just brought my car into this place to get the state inspection and the oil changed. They said I need to change two catalytic converters at $895 each + $325 in labor. I called another mechanic he said that a catalytic converter replacement is hardly EVER required to pass the inspection. I called the Infinit dealer in Kings County and he said it would be VERY unusual for 2 catalytic converters to need replacing. BTW, the last time I brought my car to them they did $2,600 worth of work... Two weeks later my car broke down and needed a new alternator. I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. They have my car right now and I want to take it back and try to find someone who is trustworthy. Any suggestions for a trusted mechanic in PS area? TIA! -
Subject: try J& E
I have had my car serviced by both Cobble Hill Super Station (Tony) and J&E on Hicks (Nat). Both provided me with decent service. If you are concerned about Cobble Hill, give J & E a try. Nat is great, extremely flexible. Definitely have him do your inspections. J&E 640 Hicks Street (west of the BQE near the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel) 718 625-3848 -
I ended up taking my car to the Infiniti dealership. They reprogrammed the emissions system for $168. They told me to drive my car 40-50 miles and then re-test it. I did exactly that. I paid $37 for an inspection and it passed. If I had followed Tony's advice at Cobble Hill Super Service, I would have been out $2,100 -- 10 times what I ended up paying to pass the inspection. And, if I wanted to follow Tony's advice further, he said I should go ahead and have all my O2 sensors replaced at the same time because "once the catalytic converters go the O2 sensors go." To be fair, Infiniti did say that if the "check engine" lights comes back on for the same codes that I probably will need to change a catalytic converter. But just one. Not two like Tony said. And, according to one Nissan/Infiniti owners forum, it is common to replace all O2 sensors when one O2 sensor goes. But that's not exactly what Tony was saying.
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Subject: Kickback SCAMMERS (beware...)
This garage is totally crooked - and that's saying a lot for Brooklyn. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! I talked to one of their former tow truck drivers who told me that the owner of the garage will kickback $10-20 to the tow truck driver for every car they bring in. Here is the most common scam they use: Suppose you call AAA for a jump start. The tow truck driver will tell you to get in your car while he hooks up the jumper cables. (You cannot see what he is doing because you are in the car with your hood up.) He actually connects the positive clamp to the wiring, but NOT the actual terminal. The ignition will click and turn over because the circuit is not complete. By the time you get out of the car he has disconnected the apparatus. Then he gives you a line of BS about how your battery has "fried cells" and has to be towed to the garage for a new battery. Of course, to make up for the kickback the owner pays to the tow truck driver you will be charged $150 for a new battery that you could get at Pep Boys for $50-75. STAY AWAY... -
Subject: whatever
Yea ok Attorney ! get real -
Subject: AVOID COBBLE HILL SUPER SERVICE AT ALL COST!
You won't believe what happened to me at Cobble Hill Super Service on Atlantic and Henry. I was visiting a friend in Brooklyn when my brakes seemed to stop working, which was scary. So I pulled over and parked and waited til morning (Jan. 6) to call AAA. They sent out a guy (Michael Green) from Cobble Hill Super Service to have it towed there (the nearest shop open on a Sunday). I told the guy the brakes didn't work but was able to move it a little carefully to get it on the tow truck. I rode with him to the shop where he unloaded my car into their lot. I filled out the paper work with another guy on duty and also told him what was wrong with my car. Right when I was ready to leave, the other guy on duty asked Michael Green to move my car out of the way into the corner of the lot. I said I don't know if you want to do that, the brakes don't seem to work. But all he really had to do was wait for a car to finish gassing up and move it slowly forward several yards within the lot, riding the parking brake if need be. Next thing I know, this guy is in my car, gunning it in reverse out of the lot the wrong way up Henry Street, swiping one car at the intersection and swerving around still backwards at a very high speed smashing into a car waiting at a red light on a very busy Atlantic Avenue. It was insane. Cops and fire trucks came, 2 people coming from church got sent away on a stretcher with whiplash, etc. The driver Michael Green didn't seem to even care or think he'd done anything wrong, and came up to me and said "I don't think your brakes work." I was like, duh! That's why I had my car towed to the shop, like I told you! The cops did a police report, and the other guy on duty assured me that he talked to the owner and that he agreed to fix everything and take care of everything for all 3 cars involved. Well, the next day, the owner Tony called me to give me an estimate for the brake work on my car, not mentioning the accident at all. When I said what about the car wreck your guy caused, he had no idea. The 2 guys on duty from Sunday were trying to cover the whole thing up! Needless to say a million insurance companies are involved in this bizarre situation, but now Cobble Hill Super Service has been completely rude and defensive with me each time I've called to see what's going on, and their insurance company has determined my car to be totaled and I'm sure they'll scam me and give me the lowest blue book value they can. My car was in perfect condition when I took it in (aside from the brakes), I was just visiting from Washington DC where I live, and I really need my car, it has way more value to me than the highest blue book even would ever give me. Welcome to New York, right?! -
these guys are crooks -- i broke down on xmas day and my car was towed there. they replaced lots of parts that didn't need replacing and wouldn't give me my keys until i paid. i usually use excel motorworks on cadmen plaza. they have always been honest, reliable, and relatively affordable.
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i have an o3 outback. ive been servicing my car at the cobble hill garage since i bought it. they provide me with exceptional service and i will continue going i find difficult to belive that an establishment that busy is crooked
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i was towed there in 2002 because my car wouldnt start. they fixed my car and have been maintaining it ever since. i have not called aaa for any car troubles except for a nail in my tire. my car runs great and its a 1998 accord. i have recommended others and they told me how great they were as well. excellent service!!!!!
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now THAT is how sockpuppetry is done! bravo!
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Subject: rip off artistsssssss
they ripped me off too... total shit of a place, will be complaining. tony baloney and his riff raff crew. -
Subject: Cobble Hill Super Service: THE WORST OF THE WORST
I've had two crummy experiences with these guys. One time, I brought the car in on an unrelated matter and Tony, the boss, told me that I needed all new hoses and belts. Interestingly enough, I'd just had my hoses and belts replaced maybe a month beforehand by a REAL mechanic, Mitchell's Auto in Boro Park (highly recommended). Tony (a real baldfaced lying shit) told me that Mitchell must not have done the work. Not only were the hoses obviously new, but Mitchell actually shows you the old parts. Most recently my girlfriend (against my advice) took our two-year-old RAV4 in for an oil change. Lo and behold, according to Tony the car needs new rotors and new struts (He also suggested to her that the repair work would only cost around $300). When she asked me, I told her that it was bullshit, certainly the struts were fine (the brakes, who knows), and that she should cancel the repair -- she called and the fuck HUNG UP on her when she told him she didn't want the work done. That oil change ended up costing almost A GRAND. I've dispute the charge with Visa; we'll see how it ends up. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. -
Subject: rip offs
cobble hill aaa is a rip off. they overcharge by at least 50 percent on parts and up sell everything that you say yes for. tony, the pitbull owner is a jerk. hes the kinfd of guy not even a mother could love. has a reputation that hes an a--hole. even my tow truck dirver knew him as such. run from this place people. run fast. ps i live in the neighborhood so i know! -
Subject: rip offs
one person sayd this shop is honest. must be that scumbucket tony who runs the joint. this place stinks to rip off heaven. avoid. avoid. avoid. go up the road to on columbia street to the station up there. even for gas. lets put these crooks out of biz! please -
Subject: new struts and brakes
thats their M.O. said that to me and to everyone. they stink. please avoid and please, dont buy gas there. -
Subject: COMPLETE CROOKS!!!!
These guys are complete crooks, especially that Tony guy!! I took my car there a few months ago. They manufactured work to be done and give shady quotes. They have obviously been doing this (ripping people off) for quite a while. DO NOT take your car there if you know what's good for you!! I wish I knew how to prove that they are continuing to rip off unsuspecting customers. I am so disgusted, I refuse to even buy gas there anymore. I hope that the business goes belly up soon. They should be investigated....actually that gave me an idea:) -
What a coincidence. I never go there, but my "add coolant" light came on right before I was getting on the BQE to go to LI. I stopped there, they first told me it would be $20 for coolant. Then he told me i needed a complete tuneup. My car had been tuned up a few weeks before, and I knew my coolant was low (I retrieved it before my mechanic could finish the fluids, promising him I would do it). It was no big deal, and my regular mechanic ended up filling it for free. Never ever go there. They are also charing 17 cents more per gallon for gas than anyone else in the nabe.
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A nightmare of a repair shop. After my horrible experience with Cobble Hill Super Service (inflated quote, non-repair, etc., like many above) plus the thug-like behavior of Tony and his minions, I contacted AAA, asking: Why is this place AAA's designated associate for towing -- which brings in unsuspecting customers to their lair? AAA has been unable to give me give me a satisfactory response. Their representative who called back after my initial complaint said he did not have access to complaint records. Not a tremendous help. I have no idea how AAA choses its towing services. But I, for one, am switching to an alternative to AAA when my membership period is over. I don't know which is worse: AAA knowing what is going on at Cobble Hill and not caring, or AAA being clueless. One thing is perfectly clear: Avoid Cobble Hill Super Service! The worst!
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Hah, Cobble Hill Super Service is crooks alright. They are busy because they get all the car breakdowns from AAA. Once you're towed in they will get you good! When it comes to repeated business they will have almost none.
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Subject: I wish I knew before I went.
I brought my car in for an inspection. I received a call from one of the "mechanics" telling me that I need to replace all 4 struts, the coolant, Oil change, 1 tire and wiper blades. I told him I would pick up the car and get it done. (I used to be a mechanic and I can take care of most of it.) The "mechanic" then back peddled and said all I need to pass inspection was a new tire and wiper blades. Now I was sure this was a scam. I went to pick up the car. I agree the tire was worn. My wiper blades were replaced 3 months ago and I had no problem with them. You are at their mercy at this point because the inspection forms have already been submitted to the DMV. I paid them for the inspection (37.00) and asked how much the re-inspection would cost. He said 10 or 15 dollars. I went and got 2 new tires for the price they were going to charge for 1($200) and replaced the wiper blades. When I went back, they refused to do the re-inspection. They said they only do inspections in the morning. ( This was a lie!! A woman came in while I was there picking up my car at 2:30 that asked for an inspection on the spot. They said OK to her?) They said the owner would be back in an hour and I would have to talk to him. I didn't wait. I went to L & B on 4th Ave. -
Subject: same scam
tony the owner said exactly the same nonsense to me. 4 struts, wiper blades, (that i had changed 2 weeks before) its a scam. hes a crook. they are not mechanics they creeps. avoid and if you can, sue them. -
OMG! I feel like such an idiot. I wish I'd googled this place before we went there. We just took our car in for inspection at CHSS and $1600 later, I read this thread. We couldn't understand why a 2004 Toyota Corolla needed so much work. When my husband called to tell them to cancel part of the work, they said they'd already started. Ack! This is the second time they've done this--last year's inspection, it was the brakes they said had to be replaced. Well, at least now I know the car is not a lemon! It's CHSS. I will NEVER take our car there again, even for gas.
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call aaa and complain about these guys. if everyone does, something might happen.
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aaa is still towing people to this sh*thole? that is ridiculous.
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call aaa and complain. dont be passive. im calling tomorrow too.
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My original comment here was on June 22. Despite my clear description to AAA of this place's procedures by phone and by letter, I gather AAA still uses these them as an official towing service. I'd love to know why. I've voted with my wallet. I've joined a different auto club, and now use a different towing service (or will, when I need to). IMHO, AAA is even more culpable than CHSS. AAA can't say it doesn't know about their record. BTW I also -- I was really pissed -- contacted the New York State DMV about this place: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/vehsafe.htm#complaint The relevant text on the site is: Use form VS-35 (Vehicle Safety Complaint Report) to file a complaint. To ask how to file your complaint, call the DMV Division of Vehicle Safety Services at (518) 474-8943 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. weekdays. When I called the DMV a helpful but somewhat discouraging rep gave me the news: there are "many" (she's "not allowed" to give me a number) complaints about this place. But it takes hundreds of complaints to shut a car repair garage down. You can start a complaint process if a repair wasn't done properly and NYS will try to resolve it. But as for shutting this joint down...the shocking news is that car repair shops have a powerful lobby in Albany.
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^^^^^ So.....is this like the cousin or maybe the upstairs neighbor?
"Some people make their goals the stars,
They may live and die never reaching them,
but in the darkness of the night, those stars will guide them to their destination,because they put them in their sights." -
thanks for the info. ill send in a form this weekend. everyone should. theres got to be hundreds of us in the area who have been hit by these scum buckets. lets do it.
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Another unhappy customer: My wife couldn't start our car the other day, with two kids in two and with a lot on her mind, she called AAA for a jump. Cobble Hill Super Service showed up 45 minutes late and told her it wasn't the battery, it was an electrical problem. They recommended that she have them two the car to their shop. An hour later they called me: bad battery, bad alternator, and oh yeah, bad rear brakes and leaking struts. I was dubious and I refused service and asked my Honda dealership to tow the car away. I still had to pay $70 for a diagnostic fee. The Honda dealership called me: my son had left the dome light on, draining the battery, it just needed to be recharged. And the alternator? Oh, the dealership told me it was fine, it was just a LOOSE WIRE. They wanted $600 parts/labor for a new one. LIARS. DO NOT USE THESE GUYS. TONY IS THE OWNER AND IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER, REPUTABLE SHOPS. I have filed a complaint w AAA -- you can always request that AAA use a different towing company if they suggest Cobble Hill -- and w the NYS Consumer Protection Dept. STAY AWAY FROM THIS GUY.
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hi all. just to let everyone know, apparantly, from what i have heard, that scum bucket tony, the jerk manager and most of his crew of morons are gone. they went out of business and there are new owners at the non service station. i wouldnt go there anyway as the some of the thieving mechanics are still there. they stink and are rip offs. i hope tonys karma kicks in good. good bye and good riddance ahole.
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popstar0 » hi all. just to let everyone know, apparantly, from what i have heard, that scum bucket tony, the jerk manager and most of his crew of morons are gone. they went out of business and there are new owners at the non service station. i wouldnt go there anyway as the some of the thieving mechanics are still there. they stink and are rip offs. i hope tonys karma kicks in good. good bye and good riddance ahole.
excellent news. i hate to take pleasure at someone else's problems with the economy the way it is but i hope that bastard lost everything he has. -
Subject: Maybe they changed owners?
I just found this garage. I changed jobs and now work down the street from him. He is AWESOME! I use to go to the dealership...never again. He just did a 30,000 mile check up and saved me a ton of money. Not only does my car (Toyota Avalon) run great but I don't feel like he ripped me off! I have no idea why they have so many bad reviews? Jane -
Subject: Shes right.
I have to agree with the last person. Cobble hill super service did my 60,000 mile tune up on my Subaru and saved me $400.00. The dealer was asking a rediculous amount of money. I will never take my car anywhere else.
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