Austin’s Choice Auto Repair

The one review I see here is for Cedar Park. I’ve never been to that one so can’t comment on it. I have, however, been to the Wells Branch location many times since they opened years ago and have never had a problem with them. The prices are fair, the service has been fast and as far as I can see they’ve never tried to sell me something I haven’t needed.
I’ve taken the car in on occasion to have something checked out and after they tested it they either told me I didn’t need anything fixed and sent me on my way or just quickly tweaked something and didn’t charge for it. It’s hard to qualify what is or is not an honest facility, but that’s always been a strong indication to me. Sorry the other person had a bad experience, but I wouldn’t hesitate taking a vehicle of mine to them or recommending them to a friend.

BAD CHOICE AUTO, I GOT HASSLED & RIPPED OFF! I originally brought in my Ford F-​150 to the Cedar Park Choice Auto to get a new alternator installed. They installed a «motorcraft» alternator & I was satisfied to hear they were using «good quality parts». Soon afterwards my car wouldn’t start. I called them & asked if they used a motorcraft? I was informed they had used a motorcraft and that it was doubtfull that the alternator was at fault since hardly any came back as faulty. I was instructed to bring it in & have it checked out. After I jumpstarted the battery at my home & drove the car to the shop, when it was checked out I was told everything is charging as it was suppossed to so I went on my way. The next morning the truck wouldn’t start. I jumped started it again & drove it in & we had the battery replaced. This didn’t fix the problem because it would start for a few mornings & then I’d have to jumpstart it. When I called to report there was still a problem I was told to bring it in & when it was checked out I was told everything was charging-​battery was fine, alternator was fine. I was instructed to leave it with them overnight so when it wouldn’t start in the morning they could pinpoint the problem. I arranged transportation for this & was told it started fine so I needed to pick it up. I recommended the «new» alternator to be replaced and they put a second one in. I instructed them to leave the keys in it but locked since I could use the keypad to get in. On Sunday late afternoon I was shocked to see my vehicle (which is a company vehicle) unlocked on FM 1431 w/​lots of traffic with my keys in it. Since I had tools in a toolbox, my customer’s house & business keys, & supplies in my car-​leaving it unlocked with the keys in it was irresponsible & unprofessional. That should have been a red flag but I had already paid & the work was under warranty.

An alternator takes only 30 minutes to install, is easy to get to & is not difficult to do. If these guys are incompetent on the easy repairs they would have no clue on major repairs. All the times I took this car back to them I saw only 1 customer there. This also was a red flag. Very few customers & the ones they do have are getting the run around. This faulty alternator problem went on a month. After jumping the battery Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday morning I took it to Buddy’s Under the Hood. Buddy told my the «new» alternator wasn’t charging. I was told this was a remanufactured product. I called the owner of Choice Auto and asked him if he used Ford remanufactured products like Buddy’s uses, he told me he didn’t. I told the owner of Choice Auto I had been putting off my customers since I still had a car with no power & I had taken it back to them multiple times & it still wasn’t fixed. I told him I had it at another shop. He told me to bring it in again. I told him I really needed my car to be working so I could service my customers and he said allright come in & we’ll refund your money. I authorized Buddy to replace the alternator w/​a motorcraft Ford rebuilt one.
I paid $ 397 to Choice Auto. I made countless trips back to the shop, borrowed rides from 3 people, wasted several days by being stranded & these guys asked me how much I wanted back. I said all of it. They offered me $ 332. I said this wasn’t right. The second offer was $ 352. I mentioned I had the option to contest the charge through my credit card company. The owner said I could threaten them all I like. The owner probably stands 6’2″ tall and the manager was there, it was those 2 and across the counter was me. I doubt I was much of a threat. I told them I wanted the right thing to be done. I was told by the owner of Choice Auto that «this will be the sorriest thing I ever did». He told me to «have a nice life». Finally they refunded $ 375 to my card. He asked where the alternator core was. I told him down the street @ Buddy’s & the owner became enraged & said «I’m going to get my core». They were still complaining about the amount.
My car has started fine the last 7 mornings. Thanks Buddy’s!