Fourth Line Auto Services

Shameful.
We’ve been looking for a garage close to my girlfriends work area for convenience versus using our usual mechanic, based on the favourable Google and Facebook reviews I researched, I assumed that my choice of allowing my girlfriend to visit Fourth Line Auto Service would be met with some degree of professionalism and integrity.
I’m not naïve, though.
I gave her explicit instructions nonetheless as a precaution. I work in the auto sector and I know too well how garages work.
My GF drives a BMW 3-​series, and I am more than familiar with it’s maintenance and historical BMW history that goes with a 3-​series. So, I made sure (repeatedly) that when she dropped by the garage that she was instructed to say, «my boyfriend thinks it’s the fuse, can you check and confirm?»
What happened next was sleazy (and that’s saying something for this sector).
November 23^rd.
Instead, she was notified that it was not the fuse, but the Fan Blower Motor & Resistor. The Service Rep told her over the phone that the exploration would cost her $ 190? WTF?
First, the garage should have notified her that it was not the fuse and should have asked for permission before exploring further. Instead of ambushing a consumer for a $ 190 charge?
Next, the Rep told her over the phone that it was going to cost approx $ 900 to fix this.
Well, my GF isn’t stupid. She called BMW and they quoted a price of $ 540 (taxes included).
She called back Fourth Line Auto Service and told them that BMW only charged $ 540 (and this is BMW?) — the Rep countered with $ 415 plus taxes. It was obvious this was your typical «take advantage of a female customer» — my GF told them ‘NO’ and she would go elsewhere.
Conveniently, the Rep that quoted these bizarre charges was not at the garage and was conveniently absent (because he fell ill, apparently).
Credit does go to the Rep in attendance, that dealt with her professionally by voiding the cost of the estimate (which was approx. $ 100 on the invoice).
We then decided to use our usual Certified Mechanic, which unfortunately was/​is a travel inconvenience.
Guess what he discovered?
THERE WERE THREE (3) MISSING FUSES!
Two (2) connected to the fan blower motor and one (1) connected for the engine.
Guess what the cost is for fuse (s) at your local Canadian Tire? In our case, approx. $ 5 for a package.
The Fan Blower Motor? Our Mechanic found it to be in perfect working condition.
So, in summary — three (3) missing fuses and a perfectly working fan blower motor?
What can you conclude from this?
WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS FROM Fourth Line Auto Service!
WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT OUR EXPERIENCE WAS AND THAT NO WOMAN (OR VISIBLE CULTURE) WILL BE SUBJECTED TO THIS DESPICABLE, DISHONEST CONDUCT.

I think ZH must have been talking about another auto service centre in Oakville. We’ve been taking all our vehicles to Fourth line over the last 22 years and even though we have moved to Hamilton we are still making the trek back. Gino and John and the rest of the staff pride themselves on treating people fairly and even though it would be easy for them to continue to work on a car that wasn’t worth it, they always advise when it is time for the vehicle to go to car heaven. They are fairly priced and it’s obvious they take pride in their work. I can’t say enough positive things about them.

Our family has been going to 4^th Line Auto for decades. They look after our vehicles very well and only fix what is needed. When it is getting time for a new car, they let us know what repair costs we will be looking at in the future to help us decide when to change. Our elderly parents are treated like royalty and never have a problem getting a ride home (even though my mum prefers to walk). Excellent understandable staff that takes the time to understand our problem and takes the time to explain what our vehicles need.

Are we talking about the same Fourth Line Auto. I’ve been taking my cars there for almost ten years. The staff have been nothing but… courteous, helpful and the work efficiently and expertly done. They have saved me money by suggesting work that only needs to be done. I wouldn’t take my cars anywhere else.
They all have an excellent command of the English language and communicate perfectly any car maintenance suggestions or strategies required.
Courtesy = Courtesy.

Just looked at the centres on the government of Ontario website and choose the nearest one, it was 4^th line Auto Services. Needed emission and safety report. LACK OF BASIC SPEAKING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, REASONABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS, AND BORDER LINE HOSTILE FOR NO REASON. Reminded me very much for the Third World I came from. Perfect in giving you the feeling that they do you a favor by doing the service for you, not the other way around. The idea of calling the driver to let him know that someone need a ride to pick up the vehicle is too much to expect. Generally they don’t listen and arrogant. Wouldn’t go there again.