Joe's Auto Service - Carmel — Local services in Carmel

I got in a small accident the previous Friday, which ended up throwing off the alignment to my tires a lot (think holding the wheel at the 3o'clock position to go straight). Also my muffler needed replacing from general rust. I was recommended big o from someone I knew, and decided that even though it's a bit of a hike, I would use them. Dropped my truck off in the morning and asked them to call me with an quote before beginning the work, just to make sure I could cover it. I got a call the same morning and was told it would be 525.63 for the muffler system and they would do the alignment for free. When asked how long it would take, the man on the phone said that the parts would be in the same day (Tuesday), and the repairs would be done "by the end of the day Tuesday, or Wednesday at the latest". Wednesday evening comes and I head to my second job just down the street, where I had planned to pick up my truck after work. One of the guys was leaving just as I clocked in, so I asked if he could take my card over and pay them and snag my key if they were done. When he came back, I looked at my receipt and saw it said 583.76. It's not a huge difference, but it was definitely more than i was told. Then I was also told that my truck wasn't even in the bay yet and they hadn't done the work. I called them to inquire about the extra charge and why the work wasn't even started yet, especially because they said it would be done at the latest that night. The same guy told me that they needed to get some clamps and whatnot and that tax wasn't added to the quote. I was a little cross at this point, and asked why it wasn't done, and when it would be. The guy gave me a bit of a run around, then said they were busy and left it at that. Thursday evening comes and I head out to pick up my truck. I've probably paid around 75$ in extra cab fare for getting to and from both of my jobs for an extra day. I get to the shop, pick up my truck and am just glad to have it back. I start driving down the road and smell this burnt plastic smell inside the cab, and more importantly notice my alignment was now screwed up the exact opposite direction - the wheel being held in the 10o'clock position to go straight. I drive back and ask Jason why the alignment was now off in the opposite direction. He told me that he's sorry but there isn't anything he can do right now, but if I leave it there they should have it fixed by Friday. I told him that's ridiculous, you already promised me it would be fixed at the latest yesterday (Wed), and now I have to wait another day? He said they were very busy and they don't make promises over the phone on when the work will be done. He then went on to say that I could even bring it back Monday and the alignment would be fixed for free. I told him that I cant afford to keep using uber or lyft to get back and forth for another day to two different jobs. He said that it was the only thing he could do. I was already flustered about the whole situation, so I just took my truck and will just go to a different shop after the holidays. It's not worth trying deal with them again. I must add though, the guy who did the exhaust work did a good job. Unfortunately the customer service i received from the front desk person Jason, his lack of follow up, and not even finishing the work they were paid to do is just infuriating. EDIT 1: I decided to edit this a few days after the fact in order to clarify my point, and more importantly to bring up something I found problematic. I noticed a review on their website that contained false information. It raises the question of how credible their reviews are and if, in fact, they are written by their staff and not customers. EDIT6/8/17: I would like to rescind my earlier statement that the exhaust work was well done. I was driving on Tuesday when the entire back half of the exhaust system they installed fell off. A different shop told me the original work was simply a "half-a**ed job". Please do not use this shop, brand new parts should not break...

Save yourself the trouble and shop elsewhere. Completely unreliable. There are hundreds of other tire shops, pick any one other than big O.

I purchased tires during Black Friday. The techs unfortunately broke 2 tpms sensors. The manager was quick to accept responsibility and said they’d install tires without the sensors and replace the sensors as soon as they came in off order. For over 2 months I was told weekly the sensors would be in “in a few days” . Every week, it was a different excuse, the sensor wasn’t in, the machine to program the sensor wasn’t in, just Kidding, the sensor isn’t in….. every week a different excuse. When I got frustrated, I was sent to the Noblesville location where I was told they would take care of me. They couldn’t schedule an appointment for me, but just show up.

The other location was completely unaware of my situation when I arrived and I was sent back to original location. Again, the Carmel shop told me to go back to the Noblesville shop where this time, they would take care of me, but they couldn’t make an appointment, just show up.

Again they had no knowledge of me and my situation. Exasperated, I complained and was directed to a “district manager”. He never returned my calls and the local manager told me I could come in person to talk to him, but wouldn’t schedule an appointment for me.

I could never reach the district manager and after nearly 3 months, I gave up and went to the dealer, who promptly replaced the sensors same day. I am completely disappointed at the unprofessional and unreliable nature of 2 locations of Big O. They wasted countless hours of my time. I will never return as a customer after the poor customer service I received.

There are plenty of tire dealers, save yourself the potential hassle and go to one of the many other...

I can't believe the service they give here. They are an embarrassment of a tire shop. Your car is not safe with them. They do not check that the cars are secure at night. If you want bad work done on your car, for it to be done a day after it should be, and for your car to be damaged afterwards, this is the shop for you!

Bring a car in leaking air out of 2 tires on Monday for a scheduled service. Get there to find out that scheduling an appointment online means absolutely nothing and they are completely booked. Move appointment to 9 am Friday. Eventually they call at 4 pm to tell me what's wrong with the car and cost for repair. Call again at 5:30 pm to say they need to keep the car overnight because they don't have the parts they said they had an hour and a half later. Say the car will be done in the morning for pick up on Saturday. After not hearing anything all day Saturday, I have to call to get an update on the car. Get told that they have the parts and are about to start working on the car. Should be done by 1 pm. Call at 1:30 pm to find out about the car. Get told that they don't have the parts and haven't started work on the car. They say they will call back in a few minutes with the status of the parts. 2:15 pm rolls around and I just show up at the shop because they haven't updated on anything. Find out the car is about to be finished, but they parked it outside with the sunroof open all night during a massive rain storm. Seats soaked through, arm rests seeping water, standing water in the cup holder and I get told "it isn't anything bad" and that I left the sunroof open 30+ hours ago. I urge anyone thinking of coming to this shop to reconsider. They do bad work, leave the tires dirty after "repairing" them, and then blame you for anything wrong. Mismanaged and...