A-1 Automotive Automotive Repair — Local services in Lincoln

I brought my vehicle in on an Friday morning after scheduling an online appointment. It was making a weird noise and due for an oil change. The lady at check-in told me that they closed at 11:30 on Friday and wouldn’t get to the diagnostic, but could get the oil changed. I was a little annoyed, but my bad for not noticing their service hours. I left my truck there at about 10:20 and she said it would be done at 11:30. I returned at 11:30 and some other guy said that they hadn’t got to my vehicle and wouldn’t get it done that day, but said they could keep it over the weekend. That didn’t work for me, so I set up and appointment for Monday at 9. I was annoyed, but I figured it was a simple miscommunication. I brought my truck in Monday morning. Same lady said that a tech would call me with the results of the diagnostic, and it would be finished by noon. I asked to use the loaner car I’d seen in the lot and she said they didn’t have one available. I thought maybe the one I’d seen was reserved or whatever and ordered a Lyft to take me where I needed to go. By 12:15, I hadn’t heard anything and called. The guy who answered said they hadn’t got to my pickup yet and wouldn’t likely get it finished that day. By now I’m seriously angry and cancel the work, take another Lyft back to get my pickup and before handing over the keys, the guy asks if I need a loaner car (the same one from that morning was in the lot). No thanks. A1 employees need to communicate with each other, offer realistic timelines, and decide whether an appointment means anything. I’d love to use a local small business instead of my dealer, but when I drop it off at the dealership, the work is done when it’s scheduled and I’m not given conflicting information by their employees.

UPDATE: Kirk, the service manager, called to explain and offer to make it right. I appreciate the response and may take him up on this...

I had an incredible experience with A1!! My friend recommended A1 because they do such excellent work and are transparent and fair with prices. I spoke primarily with Curt, who was very helpful and kind over the phone and in-person. As someone who knows nothing about cars, it always feels risky to take my car to shops because there's always the fear of being ripped off or not being able to check the quality of work. The price for the services I wanted (oil change and tire rotation) was available on the website and confirmed when I went in ($40 with a coupon available on the website until the end of March). The total came to the exact amount I was expecting--no hidden fees or extra costs. My service came with a free inspection (happy surprise!) that checked for things like my lights, air filter, transmission/washer fluid, etc. Curt came out and let me know everything looked in order except for streaking from my wiper blades (which had been an issue for months but I was too lazy to get it fixed lol) and told me the exact price it would be to fix. I was in and out of there in about 30 minutes with everything in perfect order. It was such a weight off my shoulders to have excellent car service at the exact price I was expecting. Thank you A1!

P.S. another added bonus--I got in a minor car accident on the way to my appointment, and they were very flexible with helping me get in when I could later in the day despite not being able to make my scheduled time. They truly go above and beyond. 10/10...

This review is definitely not a knock on the quality of the repair, as they did do a fantastic job in that regard. My car hasn’t felt or handled this well in a long time, and it’s very clear they put great care into their work.

I’m leaving a 3 star review because I felt that communication was generally pretty weak. I understand the repairs I needed weren’t simple, but it was very frustrating to be told my car was finished, send a payment through the site so I could pick the car up after hours, and then get a call an hour later saying there was a wrong part sent so I’ll be without my car for the weekend. I understand cars are complicated, but you shouldn’t tell your customer their car is done until it’s out in the parking lot ready to pick up.

*Edit: The fact that I was offered a rental and the fact that you close at 11:30 on Fridays is not relevant at all to the concern I addressed. Wes called me at 11 to tell me my car was FINISHED, and it was arranged to pick my car up after hours that day. What frustrated me was I got a call an hour after that was arranged saying that my car was not finished as I was originally told. Waiting wasn’t the problem. I can handle that. But I should’ve been told at 11 that my car needed to wait if you were pushing the clock and my car was still being worked on in the garage. I’ll heed your advice and look for another mechanic....