Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara: horrible service and overpriced!!

My VW Jetta overheated while driving through Santa Barbara and I found a 10% labor discount coupon on the internet for Ayers Automotive. I took my car there not knowing the horrible service and high prices that I would receive. The mechanic and owner Robert took advantage of the situation and charged me exorbitant amounts for unnecessary repairs and services. He replaced everything from the computer temperature sensor to the timing belt without my authorization, when in reality only the water pump, hoses and thermostat needed repair. When I finally picked my car up 4 days later, he handed me a bill for $1300 and made several excuses for why his services are the most expensive in town. When I presented the coupon to him he refused to honor it stating he had already done me a favor. Overall I found him to be rude and disrespectful, stating "well it's a good thing you live in LA" when I expressed my dissatisfaction with his prices and services. As a young female I felt discriminated against and talked down to, when I actually have a decent understanding of mechanics. He is truly a blue collar crook.

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It seems as though there are many reviews like yours regarding this place. I called up for a simple quote the other day for an oil change, and he refused to give it to me, citing they don't give quotes over the phone (excuse me???) . Instead, he wanted to get my name and number to get me into their 'system', get me 'into the shop', and undoubtedly be handing me a bill for 'inspection time' before I even knew what hit me. He then tried to convince me that 100 dollars for a simple oil change is what you have to pay to 'get it done right'. (what, we give out quotes over the phone now?). You don't have to look too hard to see that this place is a scam.

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This person broke down in Santa Barbara. This vehicle was overheating and had a failed water pump. The water pump is driven by the timing belt, so it is recommended to replace the timing belt at the same time. There were several hoses which were bad. All repairs performed were authorized by the customer. The "young female" was not the customer in this transaction, her boyfreind was the customer and understood and authorized all repairs. She and her boyfreind were treated with courtesy and respect. Santa Barbara is indeed an expensive town to break down it, however all work done was authorized, performed properly and guaranteed. They were given more of a discount than any ad or coupon they had, they wanted a double discount on the repairs. This was unreasonable and was explained to them. I don't know if they pull this where they live, however they were treated professionally while in our shop!

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This person broke down in Santa Barbara. This vehicle was overheating and had a failed water pump. The water pump is driven by the timing belt, so it is recommended to replace the timing belt at the same time. There were several hoses which were bad. All repairs performed were authorized by the customer. The "young female" was not the customer in this transaction, her boyfreind was the customer and understood and authorized all repairs. She and her boyfreind were treated with courtesy and respect. Santa Barbara is indeed an expensive town to break down it, however all work done was authorized, performed properly and guaranteed.