Calvert’s Express Auto Service & Tire

OK folks, you do NOT want to go here! Apparently they are only ok at replacing brakes and tires (if that). Maybe, just maybe, if they really make an effort they might be able to find the oil drain plug and you MIGHT (just maybe) get a decent oil change.
OK, here’s my experience…
We (my buddy and I) had a friend replace the spark plugs and wires in the old farm truck. (It’s a 2001 Dodge V8 Magnum.) It hardly needed it. The plugs and wires were getting old and we were getting a reading of a misfire on cyl. 2. So, as a matter of routine maintenance, we got them replaced. Well, our «friend» messed up the wires, got things crossed up somehow, and (long story short) we ended up hobbling to Calvert’s Express Auto Service and Tire. We barely made it, with the engine stalling out several times, etc.
What did Calvert’s do? Well, they looked at it, hemmed and hawed, beat about the bush (or the engine), moved wires around, moved plugs around, wasted 4 hours or so and finally told us we needed a new distributor cap. Alright, so we got the cap. Still didn’t run right. (Better, but still very rough.) Next they told us we may need new coils, cam sensors, etc. They even suggested new injectors. No, we finally we told them «enough.» They played «Mr. Nice Guy» and told us they wouldn’t charge for all 4 hrs of labor. What was the total bill? About $ 176.
Now, here’s the punch line. We drove it about 5 miles up the road to get a second opinion. My buddy had a hunch that the wires were still mixed up. Well, sure enough! The guy at Done Right Fleet and Auto Repair (in Grandview) spent about 5 minutes fixing the problem. The wires were still mixed up! He knew just what to do. He said that he was surprised that it even ran at all with the wires switched around. He was reluctant to even charge us for the quick repair, but my buddy gladly gave him the well earned $ 24 or so for his time.
So, bottom line: DON’T GO TO CALVERT’S EXPRESS AUTO!!! Unless you want to take a chance on a very botched repair job.

I found their quoted pricing to be agreeable but then was surprised at check out. I have been a Firestone customer for years and got a quote for the same price on brakes the day prior. Calverts also offered (they said) a military discount. Let me add that what is quoted or told to me at Firestone has always been honored. That whole customer first concept. They have even honored out of date service specials because the clerks mentioned it in error. Do not expect that same customer service at Calverts.
After I returned to get my vehicle the «Military Discount» was ten percent off the brake parts only that amounted to 20 dollars. Which ISNT a military discount but actually one of their current specials. Firestone offers a full ten percent off the entire work order price so in effect I would have paid about 80 dollars cheaper had I stuck with the original plan.
Another odd item I found is they state on their website that they offer the best prices on parts anywhere because they stock their own parts warehouse and don’t pay up-​charges to buy from someone else. So imagine my shock when I figured out that they charged me 118 for 90 dollar NEXEN tires. Oh and the 10 percent off parts DOES NOT apply to tires.
So By my count they over charged me by 112 and then failed to honor a military discount that was offered prior to me agreeing to allow the work. That was 75 bucks. So 187 bucks later I have solidly learned my lesson.

I have to say I am very pleased with my visit there today! I called yesterday to get a price on an oil change & a state inspection & was quoted roughly $ 46. I was told they service first come first serve or I could make an appointment. I opted to make an appointment just to be safe. I arrived & they got all my info & the woman walked out to the garage & let them know a customer with an appt was there & they stopped working on their. Urgent project & immediately went to work on my car. I was in & out in 30 min flat. When I went to pay I didn’t have a coupon so the gal said she would see if she could find me one & she did. My total was just under $ 37. I was told I would receive a thank you letter & coupons in the mail. Based on their service today I would say they are trying their best to secure future business which they will get from me. I would make an appt for service though to avoid a longer wait time.

I recently had major repairs done. I have my Front & Rear Struts Replaced. I had the rack adn Pinion Bar along with tie rod and boots replaced. Had the Transmission and the Power steering drained, flushed, and fuilds replaced. Total cost was 2023.00. It took them a day to do all of these repairs, but that was to be expected. They stood by their quote and a week later i noteid a fluid. they took me in immediately to find out that it was couased by the oil filter being loose. Something they had nothing to do with… the tightened it and replace the oil FREE OF CHARGE. they have won a client for life. or as long as I live out this way.

Reading the other reviews it apears there’s a pattern with Calvert’s. Work is performed, car breaks down again very shortly after leaving the shop requiring more work.
My experience is much like others that went to Calvert’s. When we have one thing fixed, all of a sudden more things are strangely breaking down. Read on…
I visited their Belton location, but I figure it’s best to post this on every Calvert’s location to be sure everyone has a chance to see my opinion and my rating.
Where to start with these people. OK, I had a timing belt go out, had it repaired on a ’96 Accord at 214K miles. Cost me $ 2,000. I haven’t had a payment in 5 years, i figured what the hey. The next day after I got it out of the shop a waterline hose had a break in it. Clearly this was due to them doing the work on the engine. I told them as much, but they ended up charging me $ 200+ to fix it. FINE! Lets just get it done. The day I drove it away after having THAT fixed, my engine light has been on. I came back in two days, but they had just sent our a mailer and we’re too busy to see me. When I finally made it back in yesterday ¹⁰⁄₂₇ for a routine inspection, I asked if they could check why my engine light has been on since I drove it away last time. Sure, for $ 69.99! What! I told them for the $ 2,400 I’ve spent in the last month they should have some sort of warranty, right?! It was relayed to me that Benji the shop salesman, er, manager had relunctantly agreed. SURPRISE! They found another thing wrong with some ER valve or whatever and I asked, «how much this time?» Benji tells me $ 450 BUCKS!!! No thanks. I’m taking it down the road to Auto Zone to have them hook-​up and analyze it for free.
Listen, I know it’s an old car, but ever since the timing belt broke and I’ve taken the car to them, it’s been one thing after another right in succession. But I have another example to illustrate my suspicions about how this company operates.
My wife brought our 2002 Honda van in for a routine inspection. They told her she needed new brake pads and that it would be roughly $ 450 BUCKS!!! She called me in tears, I told her to walk away right now. I called her 10 minutes later to make sure she was OK, and she was still at the shop gettting the van fixed! What? Turns out Benji relented and fixed it for $ 140 with lifetime pads.
WHAT??? How is this possible? Why don’t they lead with their most economical and not be some sort of used car salesman fix-​it scam shop? That is MY OPINION. I assume the salesmen, er, managers work on commission or are at least are rewarded for certain benchmark sales amounts. How else does one explain why we’re quoted $ 450 and end up leaving at $ 140 because we were walking out the door?
Do not go here. I implore you. Shop elsewhere. That is my opinion. Do with it as you see fit.
The funny/​sad part? My wife was being told her brakes would be $ 450, ended up paying $ 140, and there’s a huge sign in the window saying $ 69.95 brake jobs.
Right.