COTA Karting — Attraction in Austin

A group of my friends and myself went for the Kota Karting experience, we purchased three races. Out of the three races we only had one decent race. Initially, they had some sort of scheduling error which one of their staff members Sean admitted stating it was double booked, they then took us out of the carts and had to reschedule us delaying our first race. Then our second race was almost 1 hour later, as they kept bumping us down on the race schedule, the second race, all of our carts had some sort of mechanical issue, and we were limping around the track wasn’t even a proper race, out of frustrations. We spoke to Sean and said that we no longer want to do our third race and we had dinner reservations and we were expected to finish our third race around 8:30 PM as suggested by one of their staff members. We went inside to speak with the manager named April who documented our concerns and wrote our information on the books who would get back to us within 24 to 48 hours. Moments later I received a phone call and voicemail from April. To my surprise April was condescending, disrespectful, and stated we did our third race, and there would not be a refund for our third race. I then stated I have the data to prove we did not do our third race and happy to email them a picture of us on the shuttle when we were a.k.a. supposedly doing our third race. April, then proceeded to state we were lying and she said she spoke to all of her staff members.

At this point, I wasn’t taking this comment lightly and stated I will be putting in a fraudulent claim with my credit card company, contacting the Better Business Bureau and leading a review of the business along with the data support that the staff made a systematic error similar to their disorganized, scheduling logistics, I suggested she take a moment to recollect her memory and interview herself as well as review the Security camp footage returning our helmets before the stated race time I calmly explained to her take the time you need and give me a call back. Low and behold, she did call me back. She then apologized, excepting fault and admitting we did not do our third race. My response was I understand, when is my money getting returned I was informed it would take 14 days or so and if I do not see the money, please give them a call back.

In summary, I do not recommend this entertainment center until the staff is appropriately trained and receive adequate instruction.

Hope the owners read this review and take the necessary actions to ensure their business continues sustainably.

Be careful consumers of their sketchy...

PSA: Do NOT take 12-15 year olds to COTA carting. OR your unlicensed 16+ year old even! They recently changed the track for 12-15 year olds (or any unlicensed driver). I have two 15 year old sons who are 6’2 and had been at COTA carting about 6 months ago. We had a great time. Just went back on a whim this Spring Break since we had family in town and were literally driving by so pulled in without reservations. The employees did NOT make it clear “Hey - FYI: our tracks have changed so you will not be getting the same experience”. We were just told that the different age groups would be at different TIMES”, which was a disappointment because I have raced with my teenagers before. Us licensed adults raced and then we sat there for a while waiting for my son’s turn. Finally, an employee pointed to a TINY go cart track that was off to the side. Y’ALL: the new track is laughable that they expect 12-15 years old to even want to try. Do NOT even waste your time driving there for carting. It is the same track they have 5 year old carting on (literally). Again, my 15 year old sons are 6’2 and when we walked over to the “tiny” track and there were two kids waiting in line and I laughed and asked the employee: “THIS is the track you want my two giants to race against these two little kids?!” and he replied, “Oh no. I would not them race together. Your boys will have to wait for the little ones to finish.” I went back in and asked for a refund and they refused. I explained that my boys had just raced on the big track not even 6 months ago and that it was NOT CLEAR when we wee checking in that there was a completely new and TINY track for unlicensed drivers. It was $88 that they expected me to walk away from, which in the end I had to, because I was already speaking to the manager, Cel. BUYER BEWARE: take any of your teenagers and or unlicensed drivers to K1 speed. Don’t waste your time and money...

The booking and check-in process is a hot mess and the people in the check in office need to be retrained on customer service. It seems they don't want to wait on people of different races.

I tried to book online, but the payment wasn't working. I called and a lady told me it appeared in their system and I could pay when I got there. Saturday night we arrived and waited in line for 5mins and were not acknowledged. A guy was waiting on another customer who also had difficulty with their reservation not appearing. Both of the ladies were just standing at the counter not doing anything. They ignored us, but another customer came in and the lady asked if they needed help. The customer told her she should help us first , since we were there first and standing in line. She finally "helps " us and tells us she can't find our reservation. She had us go to the kiosk to create an account ,but mine said account is already created, yet I could not login. She had to type it on her computer and finally we were signed up. The racetrack was nice and the cars 11 and 15 we had were fast. The guys on the track were more attentive and professional than the ladies at the checkin counter. I drove from San Antonio and I don't think I will go back. The indoor go kart places like Andretti and k1 are smaller, but their booking is better and the employees...