Bill Hamm’s Car Care Center

I took my wife’s minivan in for an oil leak. Bill took the car back himself immediately and called me within the hour with the problem. I had the car back the next day for the price he quoted. His shop is very knowledgeable, honest and has great rates. I will be back!

I’ve started taking my car to Mr Hamm after a recommendation from my coworkers a year and a half ago and I’ve never been sorry. The service is always fast and efficient and I’ve never been gouged or jerked around on the price.

They haven’t even started working on my car — there’s a leak somewhere in the brake system — but this place is worth going to if ONLY for the wildlife photos on the wall. They’re all by Bill Hamm. Beautiful work. And probably the smallest gallery in the world.

I found this place on Angies List. It gets awesome ratings there.
I have a 1997 Honda Civic and needed a number of little things done. Bill (the owner) called within 24 hours of getting my email (even though it was on Easter weekend)! Everything just went better and better from there.
I brought my car in and all work was completed within 2 hours. They brought me in to explain (and show me) exactly what the problem was with the brakes. It was all very clear and helpful.
The little things that needed repairing (replace a window crank and difficult to open window, grease doors, fix driver’s side visor) were just as important to me and cost almost nothing. The price for the brakes (replace a caliper and resurface rotors) was significantly lower than I have paid at other shops.
All in all, this was a great find for me. I will be returning with all my car needs from here!

I was just looking for Car Care Centers phone number and I stumbled on a long negative review of this place. It is important to note that half of the reviews this guy has placed are 3 stars and less. Some people are just difficult to please. If you put a camera on your car, you must be paranoid.
I’ve been going to Bill Hamm’s for more than 10 years. This is an old school honest company. Many times i’ve taken my car in and thought i needed hundreds of dollars of work and they will so, no you can get by with a cheaper solution.
Mechanics are like doctors. They are not always 100% right, but Bill has always made good in the rare case when the fix didn’t fix the problem. Usually, they get it right the first time.
My work partner has also taking his cars to Bill Hamm’s for about 10 years. Great service, honest people.

I was having car trouble and scrambled to find a mechanic I could trust. This business came highly recommended by a friend, so I was naïve enough to cancel my reservation with an authorized and certified professional, and went here instead. The car’s issue was fixed, and I was charged an average price. I figured I made it out of my first transaction with a mechanic pretty lucky.
…And then I realized that 10 miles had been put on my car between the time I dropped it off, and the time I picked it up, which prompted me to check my dash-​cam (which also has a mic and GPS built into it) and see what had happened. That’s when I discovered the following:
1. Aside from putting 10 miles on my car, my tank was left with HALF the gas that I had in it before.
2. During the test drive (which I could’ve assumed would be done, but my prior consent wasn’t given regardless), done on public roads with traffic, the driver was talking on his cellphone — something that I would NEVER do, let alone let someone ELSE do in MY vehicle. It’s illegal in Maryland for a reason!
3. The car was taken out for a separate, SECOND trip (45 minutes later) to pick up an employee 4 miles (in each direction) away, without my prior knowledge or consent.
4. FOOD was left in my car by the employee being picked up. No one else drives or rides in my car but myself and my girlfriend — I keep it exceptionally clean, so I expect it to be given back to me in the same condition.
I had a HUGE problem with this, so I called to voice my complaints. Unfortunately, the response I was given was an unapologetic, «you should’ve known better» attitude.
What would’ve happened if my car had been involved in an accident while they were using it WITHOUT my consent, and in such a dangerous, illegal, and irresponsible way? That question was answered with «Well, we’d fix your car for you.» What, fix it for free? Or should I expect to be charged for that, too? What about my insurance rates going up because of it? Would that be taken care of for me as well? Would you lend me a car (one you actually own) to use while mine was being repaired? What if, three weeks from now, I receive a red-​light or speed camera ticket in the mail from a time I know you were driving my car? Would that be handled in a professional and responsible manner, or should I expect to go to court over it?
Is using a customer’s vehicle for errands — without their prior consent or knowledge — common practice at this business? The answer I received for that question might as well have been «Duh, obviously» according to the tone of voice. In fact, it was made perfectly clear that, rather than using their OWN vehicles to run PERSONAL errands, they’ll «kill two birds with one stone» and use a customer’s vehicle instead while it’s «already out being test-​driven». What’s funny is, that wasn’t the case for me. No, 45 minutes AFTER my test drive, it was used for another purpose. Nonetheless, when I brought this to their attention, not only did they STILL not see a problem with that — legally or ethically — they went on to state that it could be done BEFORE your car is actually fixed! What happens if your vehicle stops working during one of those trips? Are customers compensated for time wasted and the towing expense, or is it just throw in somewhere with the «labor» fees because most people won’t notice they’re being over-​charged?
There were SO many things wrong with this business, but I was willing to let it ALL go if, when I called, they at least made an EFFORT to remedy the situation for me. But no such effort was made. Instead, I was told pretty much everything I DIDN’T want to hear. And the sad part is, I REALLY wanted to like this business! The people seemed nice enough, and it was recommended by someone whose every opinion I respect (and that can only be said for a handful of people in life). But I gave them a chance, and they screwed up. And when I gave them a chance to fix it (because we all make mistakes), they blew me off.
The answer I would’ve liked to hear was: «It’s completely our fault. A mistake was made, and WE should’ve known better. Had anything happened, we would’ve covered any damages — monetary or otherwise — for you; but regardless of that, we DO acknowledge that what we did was both ethically and legally irresponsible. It won’t happen again — with you OR any other customer. Preventative measures will be taken in the immediate future to make sure every customer understands the terms and conditions that apply when dropping off their vehicle with us, and we regret this not already being the case for you. What can we do to make it up to you?»
Instead, I was given: «Next time you drop off your vehicle, make sure you tell us YOU don’t want us to use your car for other people, and we won’t.»
«NEXT time»?
No. Next time, I’ll pay the extra cash and go to someone more responsible and professional. Sorry.

I have been coming here for years. My dad recommened it originally, and Bill has never failed to do a great job. He will also have one of his staff pick up your car, if you live nearby.