L & A South Tire And Auto — Local services in Shallotte

I had my wife’s car in for service: she has dealt with them for years, I am newer to Brunswick County. I happened to ask about whether they could possibly replace sensors inside tires; my dealer had quoted me over nine hundred dollars for my car and L&A quoted was three sixty for all four tires, so take a wild guess who gets my business . They are unquestionably fair and honest; but as with any, business caveat emptor applies, i.e. ask questions as needed in your own interest. Beyond that, it is an interesting shop with character and authenticity, increasingly rare in this cookie cutter corporate world . They have obvious direct ties to Nascar culture, a cool waiting area with two live- in cats (legitimate cat allergy sufferers might need go elsewhere). In good weather you can wait outside in an area area they furnish with tables and chairs etc. or take a walk, as a nearby development and roads offer easy and safe walking direct from the property (this is just off the seventeen, a high speed non access controlled artery and this cannot be taken for granted, and they will gladly text or call you when car is ready), tons of interesting stuff to look at on the walls, bathroom for customers ,and even snacks for sale that don’t come out of a vending machine, although they are not homemade - a good sign that, in my view, they are not trying to be beyond a good business. In other words. they are not marketing authenticity, they are authentic. (The North Carolina state motto is “to be, rather than to seem “) which I really love .Fast, courteous and highly professional service, including state inspection and oil changes of any type needed and many other issues as well, e.g. they sell tires, do alignments, and many other things in their areas of specialization . I met a business family member who was working there that day, he grew up near their other location at L & A North with his father involved in the business. A friend closer to that location who goes there has been around (biker, combat Vet, retired firefighter, been everywhere) called the North Location a" good shop" . There were two cats who originally were strays and were adopted and cared for by the bighearted shop. The black and white cat was named Sparkplug and has since passed away, the...

I noticed that one of my rear tires on my dually pickup looked flat while I was at my storage facility unloading some stuff. It was 4:30 on a Friday afternoon. I went to one of the larger tire/auto repair shops and the guy at the counter told me I could go to the Circle K and put air in it for $2.00, because I was not allowed in the shop where the air hose was. I could understand that. So, I asked him if they could take a look at it and repair whatever the problem was. They said sure... If you make an appointment for sometime Monday or Tuesday they have to see if it was available. I counted at least five mechanics just standing around. So I left. I then went to L & A, which I had driven by several times but it never went there. Place was full of cars and everyone seem busy. I went inside to the counter. They told me I could back up to the service door and the hose was right there just don't block the doorway. So I did. Immediately mechanic came out. Sure enough, driver side outside rear tire had zero pressure. He then told me it was the valve stem. And told me I had to go back inside and talk to the counter. He walked with me and told this service advisor what was wrong. It was now 5:00 on a Friday afternoon. And they were closing. Now, since it has to rear wheels the tire had to be removed. The truck also has wheel locks on all eight wheels, which I did not have the locking log for. I thought man I am screwed now. But another mechanic came out, and he said don't worry I have the key for it. They promptly jacked the truck up took the wheel off took it inside and put a new house in the morning and put it back on the truck in less than 15 minutes. I was astounded. I then went inside the pay. I figured it was probably going to be at least $50. The guy behind the counter said "okay Mike, that will be $10. I gave him $20. And I was on my way. And now they have my business for life....

If you are looking for not only a waste of time but also a waste of money this is the shop for you, I took my Jeep to L&A south on Thursday for them to diagnose problems on the rear of my Jeep and to get an alignment and tire rotation, immediately upon arrival Friday afternoon I could see that the tire rotation wasn’t completed. After looking at the back and seeing the work I figured it’s okay they got everything else done, I was wrong. After being told that the pinion gear of my Jeep was chipped I was told “you may come back next week and we’ll take a look at” which would be great if I could make it back. After leaving not even 12 hours later I’m stuck on the side of the road with not one but two locked up break calipers I had to get it towed to another shop because L&A was closed and the owner who I contacted and left a voice mail with never returned my call having a whole weekend to respond and in between getting belittled from the staff I found out he wouldn’t even be there until 1 o’clock in the after noon on monday. In no way did they stress the severity of the situation with my spider gears (which can completely lock the rear end) and not only cause harm to me but the people around me on the road. They had 5 different pieces of brakes hose todo what they could have in 2. Disappointed is an understatement for this “local” business, photos are included below (and that’s my emergency brake cable that was taken off and never re...