JR Auto Repair — Local services in Durham

Pretty sure they were just pulling prices out their ass. I called on the phone to inquire about an alternator replacement on a Nissan MAXIMA and the man on the phone even repeated it to make sure it was correct. They quoted 145 to get the alternator replaced and said they could probably have it done by end of day (4:30). I went in before the car got towed to the shop to drop off the alternator and there was a whole bunch of hullabaloo. My boyfriend called on the phone as well to confirm the car and the man at the desk said (in front of me) “well she said a Nissan ALTIMA, not maxima and there’s a big price difference.” To get the alternator replaced in the Maxima it was going to be 283. On a 21 year old car? I would expect the Altima to cost more. He claims that I misspoke but I think he chose to mishear me to cause confusion because they didn’t want to work on the car. Then I asked if there was anyway for them to mark the box I brought to ensure the part gets placed in the right car and he looked at me as if I had asked him about Voldemort. He said “well if you don’t trust us ma’am I suggest you go to another shop,” and he then proceeded to take another phone call in my face to be rude. If possible I would give 0 stars, but decided to give them 1 because they did do the job I asked them to (got my starter replaced instead) for a decent price. Side note: the price quoted for the starter install was VASTLY different (way more) than what I actually paid. Hence the pulling prices out the ass. After the replacement the car still wouldn’t start and they were asking 115 just for a diagnostic. I will never come here again. OH and if you’re black and/or a woman, definitely don’t do business...

If you don’t know exactly what’s wrong with your car do not go to this place expecting a clear cut process. They did 1 good repair for me and every encounter after was horrible. I have a wheel that simply is wobbling very bad. I thought it was the control arm so I purchased one and took it to them to replace it for 250 dollars labor cost. They did it. They Test drove the car and handed it back to me but didn’t tell me the problem still exist and I may need to fix a different area. They just let me drive off trying to figure it out myself. When I asked why didn’t they tell me what the problem was they said because I didn’t pay them to check for problems. So I then came in and paid them to check for the problem which the front desk lady told me that the price of the inspection would be taken out the total price if I got the repairs done with them but when she went to confirm it (which I don’t know why she has to confirm what they already said each time that lets you know that they don’t keep to policy and what they say already if she has to re check everything she tells you) but yes they said no they won’t honor that if I didn’t get it that exact second And pay them 3 times the cost of the part when purchasing it from them and yet and still they didn’t know if that would fix the wobbly wheel at all either. So they just don’t mind running you around trying to run up a bill and at the end of the day WHEN THINGS GO RIGHT IN THE DEAL THEY WANT TO CLAIM THE BEST TECHNICIANS AND TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT AND OBSERVANT THEY ARE BLAH BLAH BLAH. BUT WHEN THINGS not GOING RIGHT ITS BAD COMMUNICATION ON YOU THE CLIENT. typical...

Late review.

But I had to say something after reading some of the recent negative reviews.

A ways back my ex-wife had an issue with her Dodge Caravan and got quoted an outrageous amount for a repair by a shop in downtown Raleigh.

I have a strong mechanical background and do almost 100% of my own vehicle repairs.

So she called me and asked for my opinion. After reading the quote I disagreed with the work they recommended and the prices were insane.

I decided to help her find a good shop for the current repair and any future needs.

I figured Durham shops would be cheaper than Raleigh and did a web search. I came across these folks and the reviews looked promising.

I recommended she try them and I went with her to check it out.

OK. At first I was a little concerned because the shop was on the edge of a somewhat sketchy neighborhood.

But we went on in anyway and I am glad we did; this shop was a gem to find.

As so many have commented on, these folks were very polite and attentive to our needs.

When they found that I understood mechanics they were not intimidated but explained some very likely scenarios and that they do real diagnosis before throwing parts at the problem and wasting your money.

They found the issue ( bad fuel pump ) and had it fixed next day.

The price of the repair was very reasonable. In fact if it had been my vehicle, I’d have had them do it for that price rather than doing it myself.

Over all a very impressive experience.

Real mechanics, who know how to accurately troubleshoot are a rare find.

On top of this these folks are polite and reasonable on...