I think the Michael A. who wrote that Royalty is the "Best Place" might just be the Michael Levine who owns Royalty. I had the worst car wash experience ever there. After a wash and wax, the inside of my car looked like it hadn't been touched: the painted door wells and area surrounding hatch gasket were filthy, milk splatter in cupholder and on center console remained, leaves and were still on floor, and a visible coat of dust still was on every vinyl surface. Owner Levine had assured me personally that the "wash and two coats of wax" would leave my car clean enough to sell the next day at Carmax. I was asked to pay in advance, which I found a bit odd. When I arrived to pick up my car, everyone but one guy had gone home early,as there had been a light snow that afternoon, so I couldn't ask for a refund then (Should never have paid up front. Who makes you pay for a car detailing up front? Argh.).
Couldn't initially tell about wax job, because they had left it out in the open and snow covered my car (oh goody), but once I got home and in the garage, I could see grime underneath roof rails. I didn't have time or desire to have them redo it (I'd just have enough time to do it myself before going to CarMax), and so I asked the owner for a partial refund. The owner refused rudely--even TOLD me he wasn't listening to me. I think he was trying to intimidate me by being belligerent. I did some research, and it appears my experience is pretty common: the owner has been involved in several lawsuits with people who had complained about poor quality at Royalty, with the owner becoming verbally abusive. Yikes! See The Baltimore Record, "Pikesville car wash that sued for defamation settles second claim of" (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_2001112 9/ai_n10048602). All I wanted was a refund for the wash portion, but since he wouldn't listen to me, I'll have to contest the total amount of charges on my American Express (they don't allow partial contesting). And in the meantime, I'll sticking to the guys (Moab or Baltimore Detailing, I think) that come to my Owings Mills office with their mobile car wash (I couldn't use them this time because it was too cold outside for waxing). Even though they are more expensive, they do a terrific job and are pleasure to deal with. Well worth the money to avoid the Royal Treatment. :)
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