Allie's Auto And Air, Mesa AZ

AC blowing warm so returned for a checkup. Mike called and notified me of “catastrophic” cooling system failure - rust filled radiator. He could not look at AC issue until cooling system repaired. I asked what the cooling system repair would cost. He said $2600 for new radiator and hoses. A moment of silence ensued before I heard “catastrophic” a couple more times. I asked for the keys please. I’ll give the two stars because he charged me nothing. I think this shop has changed ownership/management in the last year- this is a far different operation than I encountered 18 months ago. Caveat emptor. By the way this vehicle is an older Chevy pickup - nothing exotic to justify anything near $2600. I’ve priced radiators for less than $200 and since have had 2 estimates in the $1000 range for parts and labor.

Do NOT engage in business with them!

I recently brought my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee in for a simple refrigerant recharge; no big deal. Dropped it off at opening, a few hours later they get back to me via text stating that they were preparing my Inspection Report to send via e-mail. I gave them my e-mail address, a moment later I received it.

That’s when the trouble started.

The Inspection Report was sent, along with several estimate invoices. Several invoices for one refrigerant job? Open them: they told me that the entire A/C system had to be replaced because the compressor had failed and metal shards were now in the vent system; I knew they were lying because the compressor was working fine when I brought it in. I AM a mechanic, and I wanted to continue to give them the business our family has for at least a generation. I know the difference in sound between a failed compressor and a working one! Estimate: $2,603.88!

I won’t bore you too much with the others invoices, but they also tried to upsell that I needed to replace the brake master cylinder (which I had replaced myself months ago), the rear left axle (which I had serviced 2 years ago by the repair shop I work at), brake pad replacement & disc rotor servicing (which I did myself 6 weeks prior to the Allie’s visit), and a transmission fluid flush & replacement (which I had done myself over a year ago. All in all, they wanted an additional ~$1,370 to make unneeded repairs, along with the original A/C job. Nearly $4,000 of work!

And here’s the beauty: Mike (the shop manager, who looks like Tony Soprano with glasses—if he had chosen another line of work) told me over the phone that if I gave them the go-ahead, they can have all of the parts for all of the repairs later in the afternoon, start the repairs an hour before closing, and continue & finish it by noon the next day.

Okay.

They claimed they could do 4 grand-worth in repairs, and have it all done in only 5 hours of total work?

Reminder: I am a car mechanic, with over 22 years of experience under my belt. At our shop, if we have a customer with this extensive of repairs (and we have), this would be a 2-full-day operation, at best; the amount of customers we have, probably 3 days. The work on the full A/C system replacement alone is a full day; you have to pull unrelated components out just to access some of the damn parts, and even then, you have to prime, test, and re-test the system, which takes time. If you want satisfied customers, you have to be thorough & efficient; out here in Arizona with our summer heat, it is practically a mortal sin to have an unhappy customer related to a botched A/C job. I say all that because I know from personal experience. Then you factor in the other repairs, you make those repairs along with the assembly line of other repairs in the shop. It’s a balancing act, but you do it carefully because you have to satisfy multiple customers in one day alone. The other repairs/servicing can be done within 8 hours, but the actual labor time for those jobs is more like 5.5-6 hours.

Which leads to my other point: their labor costs. The math didn’t add up. The labor for the A/C job alone was $1,350. So, 5 hours divided by $1,350 = $270/hour. NO repair shop charges that much for an hourly rate! Even repair centers at the dealerships don’t come anywhere that close to that labor per hour breakdown.

It’s a litany of complaints, but it comes down to this: even when I confronted Mike & Gloria (front office manager) directly about this, neither one of them had the balls to fess up to this deception. They were caught red handed, and they knew it. I paid them $120 diagnostic fee, for their troubles out of generosity.but now I’m writing this review.

I took my car to my employer, another reputable repair shop, and then myself at home. No issues. So I recharged my A/C at the reputable repair shop.

Don’t trust Allie’s. They will cheat you out of thousands, if you’re not careful.

Soooo comfortable. Told me alot of details how this shop is ran. Took pictures is my issues. I was very pleased

Good experience with the company and Mike Keep me informed on status of repairs. When I received the car it had been detailed and very clean. They spent time showing me how to operate units repaired and installed. Would recommend them to other classics car owners.

Jim Strong
1955 Cadillac

They took Care of all my questions and completely comfortable with the way they handled my situation. I can't say it enough good things on I do them for any need.

Professional technicians that actually pay attention to your car's needs and get it fix.

Prompt professional service on my 50 yr old mopar. No better place for old mopar.they really know them.

Mike and the Allie's crew were great! So much so that I took in my truck to get repaired after they treated me fairly on my car.

I brought my 2002 F-450 service truck to Allies with a pretty good idea that the whole a/c system needed replaced. They said that if I brought it in first thing on a certain day that they would diagnose the problem, get me a price and complete repairs same day.it turned out that I needed a new compressor, accumulator, condenser and manifold hose which I expected. I also needed a new fan clutch and I asked them to replace the pressurized coolant reservoir which brought the total to $2300. I said go and they had it back to me at 5: 30 the same day. Over the next few days, I noticed that the warmer the truck and ambient temp got the less it wanted to cool at idle. I brought it back to them and it turns out that the new fan clutch they installed was not working. It seems that in order to get it finished same day they were not able to get the OEM Ford part in time so they used an aftermarket part. At this point they ordered the OEM part and I returned the following afternoon to have it installed. While taking off the radiator hose to install the new fan clutch, the tech broke the plastic nipple off the top of the radiator. They explained to me what happened and got a new radiator there within an hour at no charge to me. All told I waited maybe three hours instead of one. That plastic radiator fitting was 18 years old and I think a lot of shops would not have covered it without a fit being thrown over it. Now it is working great. I have a warranty on it for as long as I own the truck and I don't worry about it quitting in the middle of summer. I brought it to them because they specialize in auto A/C and while many auto mechanics can and will do the repairs, I wonder if they understand the refrigeration cycle well enough to diagnose it. I'm confident that the people at Allies do and would recommend them to family or friends which is about the highest honor I can give. They are also very hospitable. Clean comfortable waiting room and free drinks and popcorn. All around a nice experience and what i consider a reasonable price seems even more reasonable the hotter it gets.

I have been trying to get my ac issues corrected for over 3 years. Allie’s has been the only place (out of 3) to truly listen to the issue and do the research to make the correct fix. It took a couple days but it is well worth the time and $. I will be a customer for life!

Oved the front desk customer service. WAS GREAT but in the back thier was a guy yelling loudly at his co worker and it really back alot of flash back wen i was emotional abused he was yelling and cussing at them witch makes me NOT WANT TO COME BACK

I would highly recommend Allie's to anyone looking for affordable prices, speedy professional services and wanting to enjoy a nice, clean environment when waiting. It's a family run business and I had a chance to meet some of the family members. Their hospitality when I first walked in the door was beyond measure! Allma is the hostess with the mostest! They accurately communicated and provided paperwork for the services I received. This is my new home for my truck services. Thank you, Allie's!

I called early morning and didn’t have an appointment but they made room for me in their very busy schedule and everyone was very friendly and professional. They were very fast and I would highly recommend.

Excellent workmanship. Fair prices. Honest staff. My family has been going to this establishment since 1983 and we will continue to go here because they are the best!

To Whom it May Concern: My name is Darryl.
I own Mac's Mobile Automobile repair. I have been in business for over 28 years. I have never been treated the way I was treated by Allie's Auto Air on Tuesday, 4-27-20. I have used Allie's in the past on numerous occasions. I have never had a complaint with any previous work they have done for me.
So, on Monday, I took a 2ft hose off a 2000 Ford/Expedition, that had a pin hole in it, to get repaired. The after market hose was 49.00, at a local Auto Parts. But it was Unavailable at this time. On Tuesday at 3pm, without an Estimate, Allie's calls me too tell me that the hose is ready. The amount due is 252.50, out the door! I fell off my chair. After I got up, I asked Mike, the Manager, are you joking with me? He said No, that the amount is correct. I asked him to adjust the bill. He brought it down to 200.00. I told Mike about the after market hose I found for 49.00. Mike told me too go get it then. That he will just throw away my hose. So, I ordered the hose, repaired the truck, and I have a happy customer. Mike wouldn't let me talk to the Owner. A repair that would have cost me 20.00 to 40.00 in the past. Is definitely a thing of the past. Instead of working with me, Mike the Manager, said that he is throwing away my repaired hose. All I told him is that's real smart. So, Allie's is on my list of Rip Offs in the Valley of the Sun. No one regulates Auto Repair, nation wide. I have come to find out that most Auto Repair Shops, could care less if you return for more work. They want 1 time customers. Charge them as much as they can, with no warranty on any of there work.
252.50 for a 50.00 hose, you decide. I have been going to Allie's for over 15 years, not anymore. I used to récommend Allie's, not anymore. It turns my stomach. I never add a rating. But this needed to be addressed. Thank You.

D. MacDonnell, Owner, Mac's Mobile Automobile Repair.

These guys are awesome! They were friendly and knowledgeable of the a/c system in my truck. Outstanding job and people! Thank you!