Elkins Chevrolet - Service Center

I purchased a 2006 Chevy Mablibu back in April of '09 when my other vehicle was in an accident. It was, at first, a smooth process and I was impressed at how fast everything was done. However, 2 days lat when my other vehicle was in an accident. It was, at first, a smooth process and I was impressed at how fast everything was done. However, 2 days later everything started going down hill. When I called to ask a question, because I was unhappy about a certain aspect of the deal, the sales manager (Bob Borman) screamed at me and threatened to cancel the entire deal (knowing that I had no other transportation, at that point). So I called and spoke to the owner, Mike Elkins. After that call, everything was great. They kissed my bum whenever I needed something. Well, until my warranty was up. Fast forward to a whole month of having the vehicle. After that time frame, it was in the shop just about every month. First, a light bulb needed to be replaced in the tail light. Then, it had a rattle under the car, which turned out to be a loose exhaust clamp. Since those were minor fixes that I could live with it. My only major problem was I had to take time off work -every time- to bring the car in for these minor issues, which is a pain in the butt. After having the car for no more then 4 months, I heard a horrid rattle when braking. I called service and spoke to Adam Elkins (the one I was instructed to deal with). I thought it was the brakes and I told him that they shouldn't have worn that fast. He disagreed, and fought with me, on the phone. After much debate, he told me to bring it in and if they brakes were bad, he would replace them for free. So yet another day that I have to take off. I go in and low and behold it's not the brakes, it's the steering column. It needed a whole new column, after less then 4 months of owning the car!? What the...??!! Of course, they replaced it and gave me a rental, on them. But why does the steering column need to be replace so soon? After that repair, I brought the car home and it managed to stay out of the shop for a 2 whole months, until the brakes started to squeal-horribly! So back it went, and more time taken off. Adam claims he fixed it but it started again, within a few hours. Back it went. I kept telling him that it needed new brakes. However, he felt that I was an idiot and didn't know what I was talking about. After 2 or 3 times of their attempts to fix it, they finally gave me new brakes. Imagine how happy I was when I went quite a few months without having to go in there for anything other then routine maintenance. Then the car started having problems, again. When I would turn the wheel, it would make this nasty noise, like metal parts rubbing together. So I have my daughter take it in and they 'supposedly' looked it over. Adam tells me that they cannot replicate the noise but they examined it and everything was fine and it's safe to drive. I didn't hear the noise consistently so I thought, "okay, no problem." A little more time passes and I hear it again. Again I have my daughter take it in. Again, they cannot find a problem, but Adam assures me it's safe. At the beginning of July ('10), my daughter took the car in -at 7:30am- for an oil change and an inspection. I was getting ready for a long road trip so I wanted to insure that everything was okay. Not to mention, they also were going to paint some problem areas that they had PROMISED me when I first purchased the car. When she brought it in my daughter asked Adam if the car would be ready before 4pm because she had to pick me up at work. He said "no problem!". Hours ticked by and it got closer and closer to 4pm. Finally at after 2, Adam calls my daughter to tell her it was done. She inquires about the painting and he informs her that "the paint guy" said it was going to cost anywhere between $500-$1000 dollars to fix so they're not going to do it. She was furious, as was I! She had waited all day for them to tell her that they're not going to fix it?! 6 hours for an oils change and quick inspection?? She then inquired when the guy would be picking her up to take her back to the dealership. Adam said "as soon as he comes back". Along comes 3:30pm, and he's still not there. So my daughter calls Adam to what's going on. He gives her a nasty attitude and tells her there's nothing he can do, just wait. When my daughter reminded him of the promise he made her in regards to time and informed him that if the driver didn't get there, she was going to take a cab, at Elkins expense. He laughed at and hung up on her. Great attitude Adam. I guess when you're employed by daddy you feel you're entitle to treat customer miserably. Finally he comes and they get there and she finds that the one tire is almost flat. She goes back in to tell Adam this and he rolls his eyes and -begrudgingly- gets someone to fill the tire. Upon walking out, my daughter hears Adam call her a b!xxx, under his breath. When she told me this I was infuriated. I tried to call him but he was always too "busy" to come to the phone and would never call me back. Since I was incredibly busy between work and travel, we let it go. September rolls around and we were going on another long road trip. So I have my daughter take it in for an oil change, the 27-point inspection and to top off all fluids. Not to mention it was making that horrible noise in the steering again, but this time it was worse. My daughter informed me that she wanted no part in dealing with Adam so I called the other service writer, Matt and her deal with him. After waiting for about an hour, Matt comes to tell her that the vehicle needs a new tie rod. She asked if that what could be causing the nasty noise when turning. He assures her that it would have nothing to do with it. So they replaced the tie rod, supposedly topped off all the fluids and did an oil change. Imagine my daughter's surprise (and mine) when the noise -when steering- was all gone. No more grinding when you turned the car... nothing! Isn't it funny. I guess nobody in that service department knows what the xxxx they're talking about. At that point I had lost ALL my trust and patience with this dealership. So I decide to email Mike Elkins and inform of all the issues and tell him about my lost trust and feelings. After I send the email, he has his moronic service manager, John Chunko, call me to tell me that Mike felt the email was too harsh. What?! Aww, I'm sorry that expressing my frustrations and feelings were too harsh for you. Next time I'll keep it all in to make you feel better. I'm also sorry that I dared to speak badly about Adam because he of his treatment of me and my daughter. God forbid! Now, fast forward to today and the reason I decided to write this review. My vehicle was in an accident on October 22nd and needed extensive body work. While it was at the collision facility (not associated with Elkins), I told them to please look at the radiator. The car had been running hot, especially since the accident. I wasn't sure if there had been damage to said radiator. Imagine my surprise, yet again, when they told me that there was almost no coolant. So I asked him if there were any leaks to which he responded, "No. We've done extensive testing to check for a leak and there are none." Great, that means that Elkins never bothered to fill the fluids when they swore they did. Yet another lie from this place. So I decided to call an speak to John, the service manager, and see what he had to say. Can't say I was shock when he claimed Collision Max "had to be lying." Sorry, but they only liars in this story are the crooks at Elkins Chevy. This dealership is a joke. They're not at all trustworthy and every single person that works there is useless, especially the Elkins' boys. If you insist on taking your car here don't expect the work to be properly, if at all. And if you buy a car here, new or used, they will kiss your butt until a) your warranty is up or b) you do or say something to annoy them. I urge you to take your money and business elsewhere. More