This is my experience with Parkrose Auto and Truck repair. It may not be indicative of every experience, but it does show how they handle a situation they cannot seem to fix.
Had an appointment on June 28th at the building next door to Parkrose auto. After about an hour I returned to my Honda Element to find that while it would start, the second I took my foot of the gas it would die. Since I am not someone who works on his own car, I looked up and realized I was in the parking lot of a car repair shop Parkrose. What luck I thought.
Quickly went into Parkrose and met a gentleman named David. Very friendly and came out to verify what I was saying. He also could not get my car to idle and said they would be happy to take a look at it.
Leaving it there through the weekend, I then called them on Monday and asked how it was going. They stated that it was now idling, and that they had cleaned the throttle body. They then suggested that I have them clean the fuel injectors as they are related to the throttle body and felt this would help solve the problem long term.
I agreed to this and they had it ready later that evening for me to pick up on July 1st.
Total cost $327.47
My Honda ran great on July 2nd, and then on the 3rd I was on the road and the car died when I took my foot off the gas. Uh oh, I thought, same problem, bummer. I quickly got my car off the road and luckily I was next to Lloyd Center so I could push it into a parking spot.
I called Parkrose and spoke with David on the phone. I suggested they call a tow truck for me and tow it back to their shop as they had just stated that all work had a two year warranty on it. He agreed and 3 1/2 hours later the tow truck showed up and took it away.
Being that it was July 4th the next day, David let me know that they would not be able to look at it till Monday July 8th. I agreed and told him to have a great 4th.
I then called Parkrose on Monday, July 8th and asked how it was going. He let me know that it was working, and they really hadn't done anything to it yet, but thought the problem may be with the Idle Rotary Air Control Valve. Part#16022-RAA-A01. David suggested I replace it, I asked the cost. He said the part was over $200. I had done a quick Google search for this part and found it available for as little at $50, Amazon had it for around $100, and I could buy it directly from a Honda Dealer for $172.21. He laughed and said yeah, they do mark up the parts.
Well, I let him know I would get back to him and then decided to read a little bit about the problem. After spending an hour or so researching the part in question, it appeared that a good cleaning of the rotary air valve usually fixed the idle problem.
I then called them back and asked them to clean the part in question and not replace it.
Then I called them July 9th. David answered and said they had finished, and yes, it was now in fact idling the way it was supposed to as described by others. Well, happy to hear that I went down and picked it up.
Well, I was then presented a bill for the tow and the labor for the repair.
$252.12
This after the earlier repair which apparently did nothing as I ended up needing to be towed again.
I asked that they wave the tow as I would have had my own AAA service tow me if I had known they were charging. He would not relent. I paid so I could leave. Yes, I am nice that way. I figured if it was actually fixed this time I would chalk it up to me not making sure of everything I was agreeing to.
Well, wouldn't you know it...yep, you guessed it....35 minutes later I am on the side of Interstate 5 Northbound waiting for a tow truck. This time the gas pedel just stopped working. So, I called the tow truck, and this time I am taking my Honda to the Honda Dealership for repairs.
I did call Parkrose back up and let them know what happened. I asked them nicely to do the right thing and refund me what I had paid just 35 minutes earlier as obviously they had messed something else up. David was nice on the phone and let me know it wasn't his call to make and would have the owner Dan call me back.
Dan did call me back about 1 1/2 hours later. He wanted to know what I had done with the car. I let him know I had it towed to the dealer. He stated that he wanted a report as to what was wring with the car after they looked at it. I let him know I would, and that I would like to have him do the right thing and refund me for the service I had paid for today. Mind you, not everything, even though I thought he should offer a full refund. No, I just was looking to basically split it with him.
Instead he started in with, well what if it isn't related to what we did. He said this with a real sarcastic tone. I said ok, thanks, and hung up.
My car is now in the repair shop, and I have now had to go to my bank to contest the charges as they did not deliver the service I paid for. I am sure they will fight me on this and it may end up in small claims
