Ben White Automotive - North

11/08/09

blinker switch fixed

by ash2befit at Citysearch

These guys fixed my blinker switch. They were fast, reasonably priced and were very friendly.

• Pros: great service, fast and effiecent, friendly, good location

11/06/09

Solved the problem

by GKLott at Citysearch

Invoice 7554 on 9/15/2009. Went in with the mysterious noise from the rear of truck. They researched the issue, and found a GMC technical bulletin. Rather than starting by replacing parts, BWA-North obtained the correct lubricant. While they were working it, I have them replace two universal joints.

Customer service was very good, pricing reasonable, and we will be back for other auto work.

• Pros: Well researched, proper solution
• Cons: None

10/13/09

under-qualified or lie?

by liangkaiwang at Citysearch

I have to strongly disagree about Ben White Automotive. I have my car towed to the north location because my car had been parked in my garage for a while and recently didn't switch gear. They said my transmission has to be re-built/replace and the battery was dead. Since they can't do re-build, they told me they have to order it from some auto-recycler, and when they receive it, they will install it, which total will be around $2000+ (depending on the used transmission I choose). To persuade me to do so, they said my car was in good condition, and replacing the transmission would give the car another years of driving. They even said going to a transmission shop is not a good idea because they generally only rebuild the transmission which often carry just 12 months warranty. And they said those shops will give me the same conclusion after they diagnosis my car, which they imply there will be fee for diagnosis normally. Basically, the "impression" they gave me is, replaced the transmission with us, it will give you peace of mind for another years of driving, and don't even try to go to transmission shop, they are not honest and will charge you more for something you can fix more economically with us.

I don't quite believe in what they said. Over the next few weeks, I did my own study on the transmission shops and called several times to many transmission shops. Most of them offer free diagnosis. I decided to toll my car again to Other Transmission shop (not named here), which actually didn't give me quote of transmission rebuild, and insist they have to test the car before giving me quote. (Note: there are many other quote me cheaper for rebuilding transmission) They first fully-charged my battery, and had done several test drives and didn't find a thing (and didn't charge me a penny). They told me that if the battery is dead, the transmission system will enter some kind of auto-safe mode such that it won't switch gear. They recommend me to go to any battery store and have the battery replaced, and it should fix all the problem. I went to some battery shops on South Lamar (which provide free installation), and even the guy in the store know this basic concept.

So my conclusion is, either the technicians in Ben White is under-qualified, or they just want to make money out of me. I don't think I will go to this store again, especially the north store.

• Pros: fast service
• Cons: not honest, or maybe not qualified to fix my problem