Car repair recommendations

We have been going to Nok on St. Marks (bet. Underhill and Washington) for many years and have never had a problem and the prices seem to be reasonable. I found them to be very honest.

I have used Noks auto in the past the shop is on st.marks between washington ave and underhill. There is also G&B collison repair I used them when another car ran a redlight and me they are located on Grand Ave between Dean and Bergen.

According to this post, Nok doesn't always get favorable reviews.

From the thread linked above:

hambone said:

Bump!

Sorry for the long rant, but I have to share.

This morning I dropped my car off at NOK for an oil change around 11. At 2:55 I got a text message saying I need to call them about an estimate. In addition to the $35 oil change, they tell me I also need coolant fluid ($15), windshield wiper fluid ($4!) and a new air filter ($30 - more than double retail), and the total will be $83. I said I'd like to use the $19 coupon from their website. Not having the manual handy I accepted the recommendation for the coolant and air filter, fine, whatever. The receptionist says the new total will be $74, which I chalked up to a math error.

At 5:15, I'm wondering why they haven't called about my car, so I call up and after listening to the bizarre talk radio that they have while you're on hold, the lady finally says, "It's ready, you can come and get it." No apology, nothing.

I pick it up, and the invoice says that the oil change is actually $28 plus a $5 waste management fee (never mentioned on the phone), which is not part of the discount. Ok, fine, at this point they had my car for about 6 hours to do an oil change, so I've already decided I'm not going back.

I get in the car, which has about 50k miles on it, check the manual, and it says I need a new air filter every 30k miles and new coolant only after 120k miles. So I march back in and ask why they had me change all that. The receptionist passes me off to the mechanic, an amiable and earnest guy. He says he'll show me why they recommended I change the filter -- and he pulls out the filter that's in there to show me how dirty it is! (It was barely dirty.) Dumbfounded, I asked if they also put coolant in, and he said they didn't.

So once again, I confront the ladies up front who truly embody IDGAF. The receptionist tells me, "Well, you used a credit card, and I don't know how to refund that." Ha! Then the other lady pops her head out from her closet-office to show her before immediately darting back in to avoid me. She tells her to refund $44.50 for the coolant and filter; I point out that she didn't include sales tax, and she immediately recites the amount with tax as though she were hoping I wouldn't notice.

Not once did I get an apology, just pure hostility. I always suspected this place was a ripoff, but I guess I should be happy that I caught them red handed. My theory is the "manager" never actually passed on the work order and was hoping to pocket the money somehow. I've heard about this Rohan guy being nice and honest and all, but his management skills are evidently terrible. I've had some terrible oil change experiences but that is just a jaw-dropper.

mario's used to be where natty gardens is now (dean and washington) and i've had good luck with him and his brother in their new, expanded place at grand and atlantic.