Honolulu, HI
Please read this entire review. I needed to have a Positive battery terminal (a $6 part) replaced ($25-$30 job). I didn't know this was an issue until my car wouldn't start and aaa couldn't replace the battery without this part being replaced first. I called around and Lex Brodies said they could take me in, I was only a few min away (yay!). I received a jump and headed straight there. When I arrived (now unable to move the car again without a jump), I was told it would be done around 4:30/5 (It was only a few min job and was around 2 pm). I inquired about the cost at this point and was told $80. I was a bit surprised and commented on how the part was only a few dollars. I felt I had no choice so I went back to the waiting room. Something that really bothered me was that my ex husband had refused to go back to them after an experience ten years ago where he took the car in for a safety check and came out with a couple hundred dollar bill. He was very upset over how much was overcharged and how all he wanted was a safety check ($10/$20 back then). I always thought he was exaggerating but after this experience I am much more likely to believe that. They seem to do a good job and if money is not an issue, I think they are fine. Now, to complete the story. I started calling around and found a service station that would change the part for $35. I told them I would be there as soon as I could get a jump. (This was about 20 min after I arrived at Lex Brodies and was expecting to wait a few hours). I went to the desk and asked to cancel my order and get a jump. They replied that the car was already being worked on. I sat back down and called the service station to let them know I was not coming after all ($80 at Lex Brodies vs $35 there but the car was already in and at least it was being done now). A few minutes later, it was done and I went to pay the bill. They had dropped it to $41. Obviously I was very happy and appreciative BUT had I not been aware of the cost of the part ($6 according to the receipt they gave me) and how much the service should have cost AND had I not let them know that I was aware of what it should cost, I suspect I would have been charged the whole $81 they originally told me. The woman at the "standing desk checkout" was very nice. I do suspect they dropped the price and got me out fast to get rid of me since I (a woman) was aware of what was happening (thank you AAA driver!). I won't be going back unless I don't have a choice, I don't have money to throw away and I don't like the deception. I do think their work is fine though.