Genie Car Wash

The front guy just totally scammed me. I got totally distracted by him telling me the price I’d have to definitely pay. It was $ 189. He said that he’d knock that off if I got the season pass for $ 400. I freaked out and went along with it. When I went inside I realized what had happened, and was totally mortified. I felt like it was my fault, and too late to change my mind. I’m surprised. I used to go to genie all the time with my mom as a kid and felt like we always got a discount and I loved the experience. Not to mention the loud unprofessional employee interactions inside the waiting area. I WILL NOT BE RETURNING.

Believe the negative reviews. Wanted a wax, bought the up sell to full $ 189 package, ended up with car that looked the same as if I had paid $ 5 to wash it at do-​it-​yourself place down the street. And at $ 189, engine steam is supposed to be included. I got home and realized the hood hadn’t even been opened (leaves still sitting right under hood). Rip off.

The guy out front that writes out your ticket is a total scammer. He tries to up sell you on everything! He told me that the mini detail that goes for $ 79 and up would actually be $ 250 because of the size and condition of vehicle. I assumed it would be maybe around $ 100 since it does say and up but boy was I wrong. We took a small mini cooper that was just a little bit dirty not a monster truck. They basically charge you whatever they want. Only reason that they’re not getting 1 star is because the guys that actually cleaned the car did a great job.

I waited about 5 minutes for someone to help me when I pulled my car in and it wasn’t even that busy. Then the big up sell started. Inside waiting room was messy and the trash was full. Cashier was wearing sweat pants.
The kid who did my car was the only good part. He did a really nice jo but would not go back. 26.99 seemed abut steep for a wash and tires

Hey this place is a rip off. The guy approached me in a friendly manner, asked what I wanted, didn’t explain anything like the cost… I said I just want a wash and vacuum. He kept talking to me to distract me & said real fast «ok the executive ». I had no idea what was going on because he was hurrying me and fast. I went in to find out what he circled on my paper & found it that it cost like $ 36 ! When I said the guy didn’t explain anything & asked if I could change, the girl gave me a rude look like I was an idiot & said no. That guy was good at what he did is all I can say. Hurry up the customer, ask them distracting questions that has nothing to do with the wash & slap them with the most expensive Wash. Nice. $ 36 is an absolute rip off. Never coming here again. Please do you,
your car, and wallet a favor by not going here !!!

Horrible rip off. Way too expensive. So-​so cleaning for as many dollars as they can get out of you. Stay away.

They took entirely too long. Kind of. I think.
See, my car doesn’t get washed very often. By me or any auto professionals. It just doesn’t happen. I have three dogs and ‘m the type of pet owner who feels I owe it to my girls (my three sister pups) to show them a good time. So, they get into mud, leaves, the lake — whatever they want. It’s a dog’s paradise. I’m just the chauffeur.
So, I’ve never gone to Genie, or any other car wash where others do it for you, that I can remember, anyway. I didn’t know what to expect.
I think I made my first mistake when I went to Genie on my lunch break. My second was saying «yes» when they asked me if I wanted my carpet shampooed.
One hour, thirty-​five minutes later, I’m hovering around the garages, jittering from one foot to the other, like I gotta go pee. They finally called my name and it was only then that I gave any thought to tip money (I had zero, zip, nada in way of actual money). I kind of felt bad, especially when the little dude started to dare me, quite proudly, I might add, to find any dog hair left in the carpet, but I just didn’t have time. I had to get back to work.
So, it took too long (I think — but, I don’t know how long it’s supposed to take). I didn’t tip and I left in a rush.
Still.
During my break, I went outside and took a good look at my car.
Holy shnikes! It’s gorgeous. Truly, professionally gorgeous. I got the VIP wash because, hell, I’ve had my car for two years and I don’t think I’ve washed it more than once (did I wash it once??), so I decided to splurge — start the new year with a clean car. PLUS, I had the carpets shampooed — all together it came in just under $ 100.
Best $ 100 I’ve spent in a long time. I’ll do it again — and in less time than two years.

Never again… was there today and paid $ 50 for nothing. The first thing the guy said to me was «hey I hadn’t seen you in forever!» It’s because the service was horrible the first time but decided to give em 1 more shot as H2O was packed. When they were done half the car was still filthy (see pictures) when I informed the manager who was just hanging about with a cigarette in his mouth he said «we don’t do the seats unless you pay for them.» I asked why did they do all the front seats then? He said they should have never done that. He then asked me to point out who did it so he could make sure it didn’t happen again. Further more… they didn’t vacuume the back floors. when I showed him that he said that they weren’t supposed to do that either. Instead of helping and offering to fix it… he just turned his back and walked away. They have lost my business forever. If he would treat everyone the same as the State Trooper he was helping that place would be packed. FIRE THE MAN THAT TAKES THE ORDERS. customer service is piss poor. REMEMBER IT’S THE CUSTOMERS WHO SIGN YOUR PAYCHECKS.

New to Austin and this was the first car wash I went to. I wish i read the reviews first.
The lady at the front desk was courteous and the haggling before that wasn’t really an issue since i decided to go with the expensive wash.
My issue was with the wash itself. My windows were not cleaned well and you could see streaks and the tires were still grimey. I probably couldve paid for the cheapest wash and gotten the same quality. Including tip i spent $ 40. Unfortunately, not worth it.

I have to ready myself for battle every time I come here. The haggling that is required here is ridiculous. The guy at this location is even worse than the guy at the Burnet rd. location.
And the funny part is, unless you get a full detail, every wash seems to turn out pretty much the same no matter what you pay. I paid for a fancy wash this last time, since my car was post-​road-​trip gross, but they still missed a ton vacuuming, forgot the air freshener, didn’t bother to wipe down the center console or cup holders even though i specifically asked for a wash that included cup holders. I would have been just as good off (and saved a bunch of money) paying for a basic wash and asking the guys at the end to do the extra work, since that’s what I ended up having to do anyway.
They get one extra star from me for two nice people that work there – the cash register lady who gave me the idea to walk down to 7 – 11 for free cash back instead of using the atm inside the car wash (and getting hit with tons of fees) for the tip cash I needed. And Tyrone, the super car washer who told the rest of the crew to «get my car right» after one guy flat out lied to me, telling me they had tried to wash my cup holders, when they weren’t even wet and clearly hadn’t even been touched. Tyrone walked around my car and sprayed every spot he wanted them to re-​clean. He is one of those self motivated individuals that any employer would be lucky to have. Tyrone = Bad ass.

It’s fine.
I went here with a coupon for a free carwash and was talked into upping it into an «executive» wash. Very prestigious. Nearly 20min later my car was done and was mostly clean. There were still smudge marks on the windows and console, and some berry stains on my trunk that didn’t come off on the line.
Nothing too impressive, but not an awful experience either.

I had a PHENOMENAL experience here, despite a bit of perceived lag time from start to finish (saw people that came in after me leave before me, and I was stressed about getting back to work). The owner (I’m guessing?) was super generous and accommodating from the get-​go; he even noticed I was getting antsy and came in TWICE to tell me that my car was almost ready. About five minutes after the second time he reassured me, one of his employees (maybe co-​owner?) came inside, picked up the empty dog crate I took out of the car and brought in with me, and carried it all the way to my car for me while telling me all about the ex-​Dallas Cowboys football player with whom I’d been chatting for the past 15 – 20 minutes or so (Thomas «Hollywood» Henderson, 1975 – 1980). Can you say added perk? I mean, the guy was super nice and chatty, but I HAD NO IDEA, haha — still cracks me up. Anyway, the car looks the way it did when I first drove it off the lot — also smells great and contains not a single dog hair.
INFINITE THANKS to the top-​notch gentlemen and staff at Genie — you guys are LORDS. I will definitely be back.

I bought a groupon here and had an overall negative experience. First when I pulled up, the man that was greeting people and writing tickets went up to THREE people that arrived after me to wait on them. So that started things on a bad note. Then, it was a 5 hour wait to get my car wash. When I returned at closing time they were still working on my car and just rushed through it. The next day my car smelled TERRIBLE and when I opened the back the floor mats were completely dripping with water and stinky. Do not go here. H20 car wash is way better.

I’m begging you… don’t go here. These guys rip people off and then act like your the bad guy when you complain.
The simpletons who work here will try to up sell you on everything. Do not listen to them, go to a more honest car wash that isn’t run by a bunch of scam artists.
I was quoted a price when I drove in… what I was charged for was almost $ 100 more than what I asked.

This place is amazing. Great customer service and Alan is the best ticket writer they have!

I went in on a Saturday. It was the first time I’d been back to this place in 10 years — since I was in college. Back then, it was a great, straightforward car wash. Last week, I moved back into this Austin neighborhood and was hoping I could still count on this place to be my go-​to car wash in a pinch.
Nope. No way.
All I wanted was a straightforward wash. No detailing. Nothing fancy. I just needed the dirt off my car. I get my car detailed a couple times a year, and this wasn’t one of those times. When approached, I told the attendant I was going with the «basic» option. With every pompous attempt to up sell (and believe me, there were MANY), I kept saying no, over and over. Then, as I get out of my car, he proceeds to tell me that I must not care about my car and that it’s not «nice» car anyway.
Um. What?
Then he told me not to be offended.
Are you kidding me?
That attendant is the reason I’m never going back. I should have gone with my gut after reading all the reviews for how pushy the attendants are…
I give this place two stars, simply because what I asked for — the basic car wash — was provided. The car was clean.

Guys vacuum too fast sometimes to really get all the dirt. Same with the window cleaning. I paid for undercarriage wash and it didn’t happen, also was supposed to get scent spray, they forget.

It’s like a movie. …a bad movie.
Scene 1, on the Drive:
You’re ‘greeted’ (disregarded is more like it) by a supremely unfriendly (unhappy?) ‘attendant’ who, once you’ve made your selection (mine was the $ 20 Manager’s Special), becomes all the more surly at your lack of willingness to be upsold. Something is scribbled in white wax pencil on your window, you head to the cashier.
Scene 2, inside the Mothership:
The first thing you notice is the heat. It’s August. Is it even on?
There are a few other patrons about… sullen creatures having already tasted the sourness. Seated quietly, like drones awaiting their mission; get out alive.
The cashier does her bit without a blink… the words come as they have a million times before, emotionless, without the need for your approval, much less your acknowledgement.
…The wait…
The towel! Like a sign from above… you’re free to go.
Tip at the ready, the excitement of a sparkling vessel, you head across the tarmac.
Then the disappointment sets in. At first glance you see the scope of the problem… it’s infectious nature revealed: They. Don’t. Care. The car is just not clean. Not even close. It’s as if it wasn’t even vacuumed… was it? Nothing was done completely. NOTHING. Seats not even NOTICED. Dashboard, filthy.
Deflated, you ponder your next move… Seek a ‘manager?’ Dare complain? Attempt restitution?
Save your energy. Save your money. Avoid this place.

Was hoping I would have a better experience than the other 95% of reviews, but no such luck. Pulled in to get my car detailed, didn’t check the reviews first-​big mistake! Was quoted $ 69.99 for detailing which was to include steam cleaning of all carpet, seats, and mats (which are rubber). When I got my car back after 15 minutes, seats had not been shampooed, which I specifically asked for. I talked to the manager-​and he took care of it-​remember to check your auto before you just drive off!

My car was cleaned adequately, so no complaints there. But after I finished checking out, some 30something employee with long hair and two lip rings hit me in the back of the head with a rubber band he had been aiming at his female teenager co-​worker, who he’d been tickling when I walked in. I had to confront him twice before I heard an apology.
There are loads of places to get your car washed in this town. Try a different place that doesn’t have staff that act like juveniles. What an awful customer experience.