Mobile Magic Lube Express

When I got a new car back in 2008, the warranty was contingent upon my getting an oil change every 5k miles. I routinely used Mobile Express for this because they keep a record of all of the maintenance they do to your car and can print out a full record for you if needed. I’m not the most organized person when it comes to keeping receipts, so this setup was very convenient for someone like me. The price of an oil change there is standard and the service was always relatively quick. Additionally, they give you a free car wash, which is nice.
This convenience is why I continued getting my oil changes done here, despite a bad encounter I had when they inspected my car a few years ago. After completing the inspection, the guy informed me of things that needed to be fixed in order to pass. The problem is, most of the things on that list ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PASS NYS INSPECTION. When I told him this, he had the audacity to argue with me and insist that he was correct. It wasn’t until I asked to speak to the manager that he backed down and admitted he was wrong. I was not at all happy that he tried to take advantage of me like that.
After this, I continued to use Mobile for oil changes, but got my inspections done elsewhere. A couple of weeks ago, when getting an oil change, I decided to give them another chance and asked them for the inspection. I figured the bad experience happened years ago and maybe that particular mechanic was a bad seed. I left my car with them and they called me back two hours later, telling me I needed a new muffler in order to pass inspection. I kind of knew this was coming, as my car was loud and my uncle had told me over the summer that I needed a new one. Fine, no problem. What IS A PROBLEM is how I was treated after asking for the price. Now, I’m no mechanic, but I’m also not an idiot, so I knew the number he gave me was extremely overpriced and outrageous. Rather than argue about the price, I simply told him that I didn’t have the money at the moment so I wouldn’t be getting a new muffler that day. Upon hearing this, his demeanor did a complete 180. He got very huffy and short with me and wouldn’t take the time to answer questions I had regarding the repair.
When I went to pick up my car, he wouldn’t even look up from his desk or make eye contact with me. He simply grunted and made a hand gesture to indicate where my car was. When I took my debit card out to pay for the oil change and inspection, he snapped at me that I should pay inside the gas station.
Part of being a good and reliable mechanic is having a rapport with customers; explaining the various repairs that need to be done, answering questions, and being concerned with customer satisfaction. It also means understanding that a person might not have the money for costly repairs or that they might want a second opinion. Mobile failed big time here. Two stars instead of one because, to be fair, they didn’t end up charging me for the inspection. They easily could have, as you usually pay the fee regardless of pass or fail. Additionally, they could have removed my inspection sticker (it was expired, so legally it would have been in their right), but they didn’t.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I am no fool and I will no longer give ANY business to a place that doesn’t value me as a customer. I will get my oil changes and all other maintenance done elsewhere from here on out.

They take care of their nieghbors. After Sandy and during the gas shortage they would call my wife when the fuel truck arrived. Good people.

love this place, great mechanics