Grissom’s Auto Care Service

I’ve gone here before and had a great experience. Not so much this last time. The owner is a frustrated and temperamental man. I called a day after ordering a part and asked what brand it is and if it is good. Translation: What is your professional opinion? Mr. Roy responded by yelling and berating me. I should have asked the day before. He doesn’t know what brand it is. He asks me how would he know (seriously?).
He then suggests that I’m impugning his mechanical aptitude. Quite the contrary, I wanted his professional opinion. This conversation ended with him telling me that he will refund me for the part, which I agreed.
Three minutes later he calls to tell me the name of the part and that it is a quality part. He apologizes for his abhorrent behavior. I accept and ask why he felt the need to yell at me when I was only asking a basic question. Halfway through my sentence he hangs up on me!
His lovely daughter calls me back ten minutes later (no sarcasm intended). She apologized for his behavior and then attempted to justify it. She informs me that he was working by himself and has had a rough day. I understand that. I truly do, however, it does not excuse his behavior.
The daughter proceeded to tell me that the part was not refunded and that she needed to process the refund. While talking with her I decided to take the high road. I asked her not to refund it and I would drop my car off the next day. She agreed.
Two hours later she called me back. She advised me that the part wouldn’t work. I asked if she didn’t think it would fit properly. She replied that her father, Roy, didn’t want my business. She then refunded my payment.
I later talked to a more reputable business. I asked for the name brand of the part they use. I was told that the part was made by the same manufacturer as the OEM. It’s just repackaged. I asked if they had anything slightly less expensive. He explained that they don’t use cheap parts like xyz. The irony? Xyz was the same part Roy was wanting to install on my car. Silver lining I suppose.
I’m not being critical so I can write a scathing review of this awful experience. I want him and his small business to succeed, but I think the consumer has a right to know what other people have experienced, i, e, me.
The following will contradict the last paragraph, but it’s slightly funny.
I should have kept my guard up from the moment I walked in. I’m a little weary of people that use the word «except» when they mean «accept» vis à vis «We do not accept personal checks» as well as including two «b’s» and an «a» in the word «responsible!»