Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop

Rather than taking my 150k mile vehicle to the dealer, Merlin is just what it needs. Preventive maintenance to keep it going. I bought the jeep really cheap. I want to squeeze what I can out of it. They were open and the only shop that I was able to come in without an appointment. I do t need coffee or magazines. Just fix the car.

I unfortunately have to say I would never take my vehicle here again. We actually gave them a few chances, which seems stupidly naïve in retrospect. Better to just avoid this Merlin’s.
Besides the overpowering smell in the waiting area, the work they do here is just terrible. Frankly I doubt they actually have done half of what I’ve been charged for. I spent four hours one afternoon waiting for my vehicle to get a simple service, in part specifically to include an A/​C check. I knew the A/​C was bad, that’s why I wanted it checked, but there’s no way they checked it … a small example of just inexplicable failure to do the basic things you’re paying them to do.
The guy working the front desk seems like a decent guy, but overall this place just stinks.

Not a lot to base this on but was very impressed with their handling of a problem with my gals car. A part of the exhaust system became disconnected and was dangling from the bottom of the car. On a busy Saturday afternoon they were the only shop willing to even take a look at it, let alone repair it. I’m not sure if the price was fair, but I was impressed with the excellent customer service provided by Kevin and the timely fashion in which they repaired the car.

We got a deal coupon from a local newspaper for a $ 10 oil change, obviously a great deal. The oil change went well, but their tactics soon became evident, in that they recommended almost $ 600 in «needed» service, mainly for a total tune up including distributor, rotor, cables, etc… What they obviously didn’t care about was that all of that was brand new (within about 5,000 miles, and yes I did the replacing so I knew it was new) and did not need service. I also had the whole car checked out at Ron’s about 2 months ago and it got a clean bill of health, so I doubt the other recommended repairs were needed either.
Oh, they also said we needed an new light bulb for the courtesy light, at $ 1.50 plus $ 7.50 labor (for a one min. at most job!) … never realizing that the light was purposely set to the off position so it would not come on when the door opens!
Needles to say, we declined their recommendations.

This shop used to be excellent when Bob was the owner and there were great mechanics like Mike. Bob has since retired, and Mike opened his own shop (Esser Automotive.) The guys who took over are sleazy and untrustworthy. I’ve made the mistake of bringing my car back here once, only to be told (like Sean and Candice) that my car was inoperable and would cost thousands to fix. I’m fairly mechanically adept (time and tool constraints restrict me from working on my own car), and I knew for sure that they were lying.
Drive west on Rt. 14 for one mile, where you’ll run into Ron’s Service, and a bit further down is Esser Automotive. These parking lots are constantly packed, and for good reason. Go to either one of these places instead of Merlin’s.
I understand wanting to make money, but this is NOT the way to do it. If you want to run a successful car repair shop, provide HONEST and FAIRLY PRICED service without the scare tactics. The way things are ran here, people will come once and never return.