AAA and AAA Car Care Plus - Clarence

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Erin Ewell
2 years ago
This garage should be embarrassed by how awful they treated my grandmother. She brought her vehicle in for an inspection and was given a laundry list of items wrong with her car that would have costed her more than $1,000 to fix. Thankfully we have mechanics in the family who offered a second opinion. As it turns out, most of the repairs that this garage said were required were not necessary. Those that were necessary, were grossly overpriced ($85+ for a $2 light bulb change, etc.).We did call the garage to walk through the invoice and the man we spoke to could not explain or justify the charges. It seems an awful lot like fraud, but apparently the charges are negotiable as long as you have enough knowledge not to be swindled.

  Adam Graczyk
5 years ago
Friendly staff, expert service. Rob and Jason are very nice to deal with and they explain everything being repaired in detail. I had a car that I needed fixed up after it sat for a year. I worked with Rob mostly, and he went out of his way to explain everything to me, and I could feel like he cared. The shuttle service is fast and efficient, and free freshly ground coffee and hot chocolate? It's a win-win. Car is running great, and I will be back to use them again in the future.

  Deborah Martin Kilbourn
2 years ago
Had a problem from a repair they did a couple of months ago. I called and the manager told me to come in about an hour. I showed up and they immediately fixed it, in less then 10 minutes, at no charge!This, as a woman, was probably the first time ever that a repair shop didn't try to scam me into more repairs! Even my husband was surprised when I came back home and told him it was free!Honesty pays. They now have a customer for life!

  Rebecca Mazurkiewicz
7 years ago
I needed to get my car inspected and decided to go to this location because I work in the same plaza. I've never had an issue passing inspection, and this time I failed. They said for 3 reasons.. 1 my wiper blades ( they replaced them for me) 2 my third brake light didn't work (which it does and I'm not having any issues with it) they quoted me $300 to fix that. 3 a wheel stud was snapped (which I forgot about and I can't be upset about it). So I decided to get my wipers replaced and then id take my car to a different shop which could fix everything much much cheaper. So two weeks later I get ready to leave for work by lifting my wipers up to clear ice and one was no longer attached, and I cannot get it to stay back on. I look over my paperwork and it says I have a 90 day warranty. Perfect! I call to get them replaced and the man told me I probably didn't scrape ice off of my windshield and that's why it broke and he's not going to replace it. Without asking me what happened, he automatically told me they will not be replaced. I do NOT recommend this facility for anything, nor will I be back for any type of services.

  Ryan Bartnik
10 years ago
I went to just get a yearly maintenance plan with an oil change. I was talked into purchasing 4 new tires, which I knew I needed anyways. They price matched Dune-Tire with a better tire.I however was NOT happy when they tried to "fix" other things on my car that didn't need fixing. But just to be safe I took my '07 Toyota to my usual mechanic and they found nothing wrong. I would of paid for over $1,000 in repairs that I didn't need, If I would of listened to AAA. Second opinions are GOOD and use people that you can TRUST!

  Kaycee Daniels
3 years ago
Took my car in for inspection which I expected to be easy, since the car was fine. They told me I didn't pass because I needed brakes. Got to the car and discovered they took the sticker off, which they should not have done because of the pandemic. Took it to another mechanic who said he could tell the wheels were never taken off. The brakes have at least half their life left in them. They passed the car, and they have a new customer.

  Gregory Savage
6 years ago
DO NOT BRING YOUR CAR HERE! Went in for a $25 oil change that ended up costing $42. That was the good part...during the oil change, my brake line was seemingly broken (likely by accident but still). They didn't own up to creating a leak in the line that was so bad it drained the brake fluid such that it wasn't safe to drive anywhere else. Not a drop of liquid on my driveway and no sign whatsoever of a preexisting leak or brake issue that I could tell. They offered to patch / repair the line (which I heard is dangerous and shouldn't be done) or replace it. I called another place to get a 2nd opinion. They quoted basically the same cost to replace it as AAA quoted to patch / repair it and more than 5X CHEAPER than AAA quoted to replace it. Needless to say I had it towed away to a car REPAIR center before AAA could find any other apparently preexisting issues. That sure would be a sound money making strategy though, break customer's cars so bad they can't drive them and then overcharge them 5X the regular price to fix it. In my opinion, this place is an embarrassment to the seemingly otherwise solid AAA organization. It seems to me like they are preying on people by using AAA's good name and trustworthy reputation to rip them off.

  Greg Albrecht
4 years ago
This is ok but way to expensive and over charge you for parts even with aaa discount if they even give it to you. Had my truck go there twice for the same issue which was the starter and it was done in a 6 month period and they said to me that it was over mileage or not under warranty what ever they said, and they said I needed new brakes when I replaced the brakes and rotors not that long ago on all 4 tires. If you wanna pay a arm and a leg this is the place to go I recommend going somewhere else or do it yourself

  mark fuller
5 years ago
This was easily the worst experience I've ever had with a car repair shop! I brought my car in for an oil change and inspection. They called and said my car wouldn't pass inspection due to the bulbs over the license plate...ok no issue except it was $200 for them to do the lenses? I called a local Cadillac dealer and it was $100 so they were charging me $100 to install the lenses?? I bought the parts and took 2 minutes to install it would be harder to install wiper blades. They should be ashamed of themselves!*update spoke to service manager who said they were actually only charging $23 to install the lenses and the other charges were probably markup and I apparently got a better price...anyways I added a star to the review still disappointed they didn t complete the inspection while I was there as I had addressed the issue with the lenses.

  Sheryl Little
5 years ago
AAA and AAA Car Care Plus has Excellent Customer Service and Excellent Car Service. They have different service and maintenance plans and they offer great discounts for AAA members I would highly recommend this place for anyone who needs car assistance or would like to travel and you know various other AAA things. If your car needs to be looked at feel free to schedule an appointment during their working hours and will get back to you soon as possible.

  J N
3 years ago
Rob was agent I dealt with on the phone told me parking brake shoes had fallen off, and needed to be replaced. I authorized the labor, which was done by STEPHEN ARBUTHNOT. They also claimed that there was an oil leak that they needed to diagnose with the use of dye. When I arrived to pick up the vehicle, which had been towed to this service center, Rob was audibly annoyed by my asking of him to explain the work that was done. He explained to me that they could not find the source of this oil leak, and that I would have to bring it back to them at a later date. I paid over $500 and noticed upon exiting their lot that the issue persisted i.e., zero labor was actually completed. The service advisor was JASON MARKS.A filthy scam perpetrated by a place with a name a complaint was filed and presumably a refund should be in order. This shop took my vehicle in an unsafe state, claimed to perform labor (they did NONE), and sent me on my way in an identical state, knowing I would have to return.NEVER give them your service.

  Michael Smith
4 years ago
They exemplify their name. I had used tirerack.com and had gotten new tires for my 18 camry hybrid. As these were the selected installer, they did a great job keeping me informed of the progress and were more accurate than the vendors delivery notifications. They also included a free car wash as the tires were dirty upon installation. Also I decided to give them my oil change business too. They quoted me for $44.95, I agreed and they found out my vehicle needs a specific oil that costs more than a high performance oil change, due to its rarity and its very fine viscosity, they were honest about it and didnt just put the wrong oil in. Excellent service. I eventually declined the offer, as I know a cheaper source. All around, great service, candid, timely. Will use again. They charged me what was quoted from tire rack for install $12.95 per tire. The shuttle service was very nice and very extroverted, wish ny drive was longer (only a mile). He actively tried to refuse my tip, I refused his refusal and threw a $5 on his dash.(where he couldnt quickly reach it, carefully closed his door and bid him safe travels)

  John Knapp
11 years ago
They replaced my muffler and it worked for 3 months, I am having it repaired at a shop I trust( I also had my catalytic converter replaced but that is still working). After getting it fixed they offered to pay for any extra costs and were very helpful over the phone. They did not communicate well and they certainly did not convince me to ever go to them or any AAA service station ever again. Unless it is an emergency I would not recommend this shop; if it is an emergency then good luck and God bless.

  Bethany Garbutt
6 years ago
I was very impressed with this Car Care Service Center. I visited another placed who wasn't helpful, and ended up at AAA for the first time. Not only were they able to help me, but estimated the time and the price before beginning work on my vehicle. They were honest and helpful, just what you want in a Car Care Center!

  Neal McMullen
5 years ago
Stopped going last year after they wanted almost $2800.00 for a repair I got done for under $600.00 I called the manager to ask why and never got an answer, just a lot of talk saying nothing. I started going to AAA the day it opened and bought there maintenance package for 2 cars every year. Needless to say I stopped going there even though I had free inspections and oil changes left to use. They simply cannot be trusted.

  Kevin Girard
8 years ago
My car needed a jump in front of my home the took it to car care. Should renamed this to car rip off!!!! I needed my car to make it through the winter which I was promised they could do _ $1700 dollars later my car lasted 10 miles before check engine light came back on. When I returned my car they tried to charge me another $100. to do a computer analysis which they had done not 4 days earlier - told me I never mentioned the check engine light and wanted $850. to fix it again and that was just the way it was with older cars. When I took it to a reliable repair shop I was told the price would be $100 less and with manufacture part not reconditioned AGAIN RIP OFF

  Christopher Shults
6 years ago
Called to get an estimate on replacing a starter - this is a simple and straight forward job and they wouldn't provide an estimate over the phone. Instead, they wanted the vehicle brought in so they could run the VIN #..What??? Since when does replacing a simple thing like a starter require running a VIN. Also, the customer service gal was quite snobbish. Will not be using any AAA service centers for any repairs.

  Benjamin Vanfossen
3 years ago
I normally refrain from negative energy and give people the benefit of the doubt however I feel like it s beneficial to recommend not using AAA car care on Main Street in Clarence. This is our family s second bad experience. NOT with the workmanship however their communication skills, respectfulness and expectation setting is poor. I m not a feminist by any means however after several phone conversations with Dan and Rob it was clear their expectation of me was to just be quiet and listen. No exaggeration that they cut me off when I tried to finish a sentence. Thought I d save people the frustration of going here. Thanks!

  NR G
5 years ago
Got winter tires mounted here since they were the closest shop affiliated with tire rack. Got on the highway and she was shaking all around. So I figured they just did a bad job balancing them or knocked the alignment out somehow. That would be an inconvenience but understandable.So I park er, go to use my parking brake as always and wouldn't you know it, they snapped the cable and the caliper is seized up. They drove it with the brake engaged.That is such a rookie move man what is going on over there. They wanna see it and all that but honestly no way in hell I'm bringing my car back there.You'd like to think that any shop can at least mount some tires and send you on your way but apparently mighty AAA can't afford a tech that realizes the brake is on before he drives the car into the bay.I'll have a repair bill on Thursday, sure as hell hope when corporate calls me back they'll do something about it. One of the service managers told me on the phone he doesn't see how they could have drove it with the parking brake on... you didn't push the thing into the bay did ya?In conclusion, avoid chain auto repair shops unless your friend or family works there. No accountability.

  Kathleen McQuown
4 years ago
I have a Saturn which requires after market parts due to the Saturn line being discontinued. I needed headlight assemblies on one occasion, and they did their best to get parts so the car would pass inspection. They are very courteous and also have a shuttle service if needed.

  Jeff B
3 years ago
I can t say more about how professional and responsive Rob has been to an issue I had with my car. Rob was a great communicator and has gone above and beyond what I would have expected. I want to thank the team at AAA for a job well done.

  Donald J Aquino
9 years ago
Went to this garage because they could do a diagnostic for a check engine light(code was running lean) and ended up with a $1200 dollar bill and an engine that still runs lean. When I decided to go to AAA, my car was running perfectly fine, however, my check engine light was on and I needed an inspection soon. The gentleman, who was very nice, told me it was an intake manifold gasket. That was replaced, I drove it for approx. 25 miles, check engine light comes on. I was told to drive it again, after the light/comp was reset, because there was probably cleaner left in the system(this happened two more times). I drove the vehicle to Rochester and on the way back the check engine light came on again. The vehicle also began to start hesitating in idle and at stop. I returned and was told they would perform a diagnostic again. After calling multiple times, I was told that the evap control valve was dirty and that it was replaced and cleaned, and to drive the vehicle for about 100 miles(I paid for labor on the replacement). I drove the car for 120 miles and , of course, the check engine light comes on again. I call and set up an appointment again. This time I was told it may be the mass air flow sensor(which they did not replace) and to drive it again. I was also told that the next time I bring it back they will have to start to charge again(as I said before the gentleman was nice, but apparently a salesman and, in hindsight, cannot be trusted). At this point I was pretty angry and needed an inspection. I drove the vehicle for 103 miles, found the closest inspection garage, and it passed. Literally 1/2 mile after the inspection the check engine light comes on again(Now remember the vehicle is struggling in idle). Finally, the car starts to stall in idle and at stops. To this day the car still stalls in idle. AAA AutoCare took a good car with a light on and destroyed it ,and is to this day embarrassing me, as I cannot afford to fix it. (P.S., I had to replace the alternator and it still stalls in idle). Beware of the low price and discount, its a good salesman and a lousy mechanic.

  Jessie Israel
7 years ago
Came here to get my breaks checked and my NYS inspection done. Was quoted over $700 which included a ton of "optional" but recommended work. I declined and took my car elsewhere for a second option. The other shop fixed my breaks and completed my NYS inspection for $200. For a company that claims to be trustworthy they sure do try and rip you off.

  Sean Kelleher
5 years ago
I have been by the location a few times. Each time I have looked in on the electric vehicle charging equipment (EVSE). The first couple times by it was been powered. But for the past 4+ months it has been deactivated. However the signs pointing to it are clean and prominent. Clearly advertising that they care about EVs is more important than providing a location to get an emergency charge if it is needed...

  Ruthlee Barton
6 years ago
Triple A is awesome, but they're provider was HORRIBLE! I called AAA at 1:22. Stuck in snow with baby in car. They said they would have someone out by 3:00 PM- Gates Towing. I called back at 3:11pm, they said they would have the towing company call with explanation and ETA. Gates called at 3:37 pm and said it would be an hour and a half or much longer they couldn't give me any idea they were so backlogged. We had been stuck since 1, baby was cold and hungry. They said "Call 911. I said it wasn't a 911 emergency. they argued they would call. I told them I would call Triple A and have them dispatch from another garage. Miraculously, they came in 5 minutes after that! So stressful and really bad.

  Christopher Robinson
9 years ago
Brought my vehicle in that has been hesitating significantly and finally stalled out because of it and was told they couldn't diagnose it. "It wasn't happening during the test drive and nothing showed up on the computer." Got a call saying : "Can you come get your vehicle now?". Then was told "everything seems fine" at the counter.

  Dan Khan
6 years ago
A relative of mine hit a pot hole that blew out her tire and had her car towed to this AAA service center. After inspecting her car they said she needed a new rim and a new tire. She had also requested an oil change since she was due for one. Before those were done, they told her that the spring and struts needed to be repaired/replaced but that it wouldn't be recommended based on how expensive the service would be, for the car is rather old. They also told her it might not be safe to drive the car with the faulty spring and struts. She told them to not do the spring and struts and just do the rim, tire, and oil change, since she needed a car to drive and they did not tell her that she should absolutely not drive the car. A man, Bob, later called to inform her that the transmission tray needed to be replaced. So, after all of these services rendered, amounting to ~$500, she went to pick her car up and drove it home. As she was driving, she heard noises after turning her steering wheel that she had not heard before and made turning an issue. After she called to inform them of this, the person she talked to said to bring it back in to the shop. He calls her back as she is driving and said that the car is dangerous to drive and that she should not be driving the car, since the spring is hanging in the way of the wheel. She was very confused, as they just let her spend $500 on a car that she is now told that she should absolutely not drive at all. They could have told her that getting the new tire, new rim, transmission tray, and oil change were not necessary, as her car should have been towed out of the service center, instead of letting her drive home. She felt extremely mislead and taken advantage of and had to buy a new car.

  gerald krantz
4 years ago
Not only was the customer service top notch. But the mechanic working on my car actually spoke to me. He told me what he was doing and why. That's a first for me and that's why I'm going to go back. This is my spot for car repair and maintenance.

  Jon Wile
6 years ago
The car went there for an oil change. The next day blue smoke came billowing out car on highway. Went to dealer said engine damaged because car had 3 quarts too much oil in it. Manager of AAA did not care. Don't get Service here.

  David Weiss
4 years ago
I have used this location for inspections oil changes and brake work. They also replaced a suspension part once. Everything handled politely and timely. Problem -free service