Council's Jimmie Automotive & Radiator Service

My first experience with this garage was over 20 years ago when I had a truck that was experiencing problems that a dealer had been unable to diagnose on three separate occasions. I left the dealer and stopped by this garage on my way home. In just a few minutes Mr. Jimmy was able to give me what he thought was the issue and what it would take to solve it. He was correct on both counts and when I went to pick up my truck, I was pleased to find that not only was it correctly repaired, but that there were none of the grease stains, smears, ect that i was used to seeing at other garages. Since then they have worked on more than ten other vehicles for both myself and other family members and we have always been highly satisfied with their results. They let you know up front what they feel is needed and always call if things change. We have had everything from motor replacement to electrical work done here and I've come to expect quality work at a fair price by mechanics who care about their work and their customers.

I've brought in more than my share of "head scratchers" and they have always come through for me. I've reccomended them to a number of friends and co-workers and all have been please with their results. I also attempt to do quite a bit of my own vehicle maintenance and often stop in for advice. Jennifer, Reno and crew always cheerfully stop to take the time to listen and assist me with their knowledge. They are the first ones I talk with when I have vehicle issues and they've always gone out of their way to accomodate my needs. I can't imagine going anywhere else for my car repair needs!

This repair request was by proxy as I'm down south and my truck up north. The plan was to get my stored Suburban running enough to have it shipped to me avoiding a non operational fee. I fully admit, there may have been some things lost in the instructions given to my sister and brother in-law (although they deny it) and the shop, but as they (Jimmie Robert Council's Garage) have failed to even respond to my complaints, I have to think its the shop. I've owned this Suburban since 1998 and know every inch of her. It was sitting for a long while and the carburetor inlet needles were stuck shut. It had happened before. Clean the carb (or install the new carburetor I supplied to avoid any whining about cleaning a carb) and she would run fine. Been there done that. My instructions to Jimmie Robert Council's Garage: 1. Work on the truck in my sisters barn. 2. DO NOT replace the fuel pump. 3. INSTALL the new carburetor I provided. 4. Free up and repair issue causing front passenger wheel lockup using new parts provided. What Jimmie Robert Council's Garage did: 1. Dragged the truck out of the barn and towed it to the shop. Cant prove it, but there are some "UN-remembered" scratches and dents. 2. REPLACED the fuel pump - and FORGOT to install the tank to pump hose! 3. REFUSED to install the carburetor, claimed it wasn't the problem, and stated "Your gas tank is full of rust". My gas tank is new and plastic... 4. They did get the wheel spinning, but did not use any new parts. Hammer and PB blaster? 5. Installed a new battery and forgot to install the batter hold down clamp. How it went down: My brother in law handled the instructions. Again, I cant say for sure if they were delivered as written. BUT, when the mechanic couldn't or wouldn't get it running, I phoned them to explain the problem. They were actually proving my theory - they could get it to run if they held a container of gas over the carburetor and fed it directly. I explained to Jimmy, that this was bypassing the intake needle valves (actuated by the bowl floats) and of course it would run. I explained to him that this had happened before, that the needles were stuck and asked that he just put on the new carburetor. HE LAUGHED AT ME. I told him at that point to not touch the truck any further and arranged for the shipper to pick it up running or not. They did store the truck a few days without charge. I give them that. So, I paid this shop $500+ for their - what - labor? I really can't say as there was no invoice in the truck and they have ignored my emails asking for one. They didn't supply warranty receipts for either the new Napa battery or fuel pump (again, that I instructed them not to install and they did anyway). All this and I still had to pay the $150 non-op fee. So? Ask yourself. Do you want a mechanic that will not listen to you, who will treat you with amazing disrespect, who will criminally disregard any instructions, who will negligently allow potentially dangerous incomplete repairs to leave their shop, and who wont tell you what you paid for? Not me friends. No way, no how, don't use this shop.