Cartex One Stop Auto

 

4

27

Chris O.

San Jose, CA

I used to get my car worked on at Cartex until they started giving me the same bullshit service recommendations it sounds like they gave to two of the other people who've left bad reviews and I have a funny inkling we're not the only three they've pulled that crap on.

The white-haired guy that works up at the desk (I think his name is Dan or perhaps Daniel) SEEMS kindly enough until you dare to question these inflated quotes on "urgent" repairs.  When I asked about the new struts they recommended on my less than two-year-old car, he took my keys and threw them down on the desk and told me to have a nice day (I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic, too).

Like Chris C., I also took my car to a different mechanic for a second opinion.  Same deal.  That mechanic laughed at some of the items on the laundry-list of repairs Cartex said I needed.  That mechanic was Denholm at Keystone Auto and he remains my mechanic three years later to this day.

Those Cartex coupons in the Penny-Saver will end up costing you a fortune in trumped up repairs if use them for anything other than bird-cage liners or fire kindling.  Caveat emptor!!!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

4

6

Rob G.

San Jose, CA

I read the reviews and they were mixed, but I figured I'd try them out since they were open on Saturday and within walking distance of my house.

I explained the problem and the symptoms of the problem. My parking lights and interior dome lights do not work. When I replace the fuse, it blows within a few starts of the car. I assume it's a short somewhere!!? This was written on their paperwork! Granted electric shorts are a pain to diagnosis, but they confirmed on the phone and their yellow page ad indicated they specialize in auto electric issues. I dropped off my Honda Civic around noon.

I called them a 1.5 hours later for an update. They indicated that they replaced the fuse and everything is working. I asked them to start and stop the car a few times and the fuse would blow hence the reason I brought the car to them for repair. The guy said of course they would test it and that they close in 2 hours (3pm on Saturday) I arrived at 3pm and asked for the status of my car. The service guy indicated that everything was working and handed me a bill. Before I paid, I asked for my car keys to test the lights. I went to the car and surprise... no lights!

I asked him what they did again besides replace the fuse? He called the mechanic out who rambled on for about 3 to 4 minutes about how difficult electric shorts are and the process of troubleshooting shorts. So I asked my question again, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO DIAGNOS THE PROBLEM?" He replaced the fuse and checked the Honda computer which gave him several codes. He then cleared the codes. He handed me the print out of the codes. They asked me to bring the car back again maybe all day for them to try and fix it. Of course, they would bill me again for 8+ hours to fix the problem. I was very irritated at this point. I knew that I should have waited until Monday and took my car to a real auto electric place that specializes in auto electric and electrical shorts.

They get one point though for location!!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

16

339

Chris C.

Union City, CA

Special Review by the Man with the Iron Stomachs GF

Cartex had several coupons in the weekly Penny Saver and so I decided to give them a try. I needed an oil change and a smog check. With the coupons the total was forty something dollars and I thought that seemed like a good deal.

When I arrived everyone was very courteous. They said the service would take about half an hour and so I waited in their waiting area.  The woman in the office adjacent to the waiting area was watching The Maury Povich show very loudly and the content was not appropriate. I had a book though so I managed to keep myself distracted.

I waited for about an hour and they were finally done. The office worker said that my total was about forty dollars and I was glad they had not charged me for any extra services. Then he told me that based on a physical inspection they had several recommendations:

1.) New Struts, apparently, mine were not handling correctly, even though I had not noticed any problems with handling.

2.) My CV boot had a tear and might fall out at any time, hmm... I was starting to notice that they were quoting very expensive items.

3.) They told me that my car barely passed smog and that it would not pass in two years.

All of these recommendations were making me feel like I was getting the run around. I have been to a lot of mechanics in my life and get really angry when they try to pull the wool over your eyes especially when you are a woman and they figure you do not know any better. I ended up going to another mechanic for a second opinion and he told me:

1.) There were no issues with my struts...

2.) There was a small hole in my CV boot but nothing to be concerned about...

3.) He did not notice any issues with my emissions...

Argghhh... I will never go to Cartex Auto Center again, even if they do have really cheap coupons in the Penny Saver. What is even more frustrating is that they somehow put me on their mailing list and keep sending me reminders to come in and fix my car. My car that is not broken!  

STAY AWAY from these guys who will try to scare you into buying unnecessary and very expensive things for your car.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

13

2

Carol P.

San Francisco, CA

Dudes at America's Tire recommended this place to me with a coupon. Fairly average service with friendly and talkative guys working the office.

I got my tires aligned ($100 w/coupon) and a smog check  ($32 w/coupon).   I went on a Saturday so they didnt have their usual shuttle service running  (boo! I could've gone to Valley Fair.. though it is within walking distance). The whole ordeal took 1.5 hours.

It is in a slighty dingy part of town.. so ladies, put on your best fuck-off face before you walk anywhere.

Extra star for close proximity to Falafel's Drive In (where they have a root beer freeze AND wi-fi!)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

0

2

Robert H.

San Francisco, CA

Not worth one star. Stay far away from these jerks who act very polite and smile as they screw you any way the can. Do NOT allow them to retain a "credit" toward future repair as they will later tell you it is "car specific" and can only apply to diagnosed car you brought in. I'm out $50.00. They make $50.00 easy. Bad business all around for this place.

BEWARE!!!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review