I live right around the corner from Salerno's so it is obviously very convenient, and the staff is extremely friendly!! They always try to assure you they're giving you a great deal. However, I always leave with this feeling that they are overcharging and/ or performing services that aren't 100% necessary. There oil changes are more costly than Jiffy Lube and they usually forget to refill my fluids and always forget to put a sticker in my windshield (reminding me of when I should get my next oil change).
Last year, I got my NY State Inspection done here. They ended up having to do a lot of work and charging me around $400. About a month later, the sticker fell off my windshield (b/c it was not sticky enough). I went back and they made me pay another $40 to get another sticker. They said I should complain to NY State for making crappy stickers. I don't know why they would charge me the full $40 when that is the fee for running the diagnostic tests, etc... and not the cost of the actual sticker.
And this year, when I brought in my car for my NY State Inspection Sticker I again felt really gypped. They told me I needed all of these services, and that I HAD to get them or else I would fail my inspection. This included wiper blades (which were already recently replaced), an oil change, belt, etc.... They ended up charging me $400 for everything and I felt stuck. Unfortunately, I didn't have to time to get a second opinion because my sticker was going to expire the next day. So, I was trapped with them and what they told me I had to do to get the sticker. Maybe I should be blaming NY State Law as opposed to Salerno's, b/c of strict car regulations... but either way, it leaves people in a bad situation when they are forced to get all of these things fixed on their car upon inspection time- and don't have the luxury of shopping around. It seems like an opportune time for Auto Shops to make a lot of money (and probably overcharging because the customer needs the sticker).
Again, let me stress that this place is really convenient and they will go out of their way to help you. The place is definitely hilarious with Mario running around in his velour suit and eager to show you where he lifts weights in his shop... but I can't help feeling a little uneasy about the services and prices.
Everytime I get my car inspected at Salerno's, I end up with services costing around $400. Coincidence or scam? I will probably go elsewhere next time I need my NY State Inspection to see if this is something everyone has to do, or if its Salerno that is taking advantage.
Pros: Convenient location, hours, and friendly!
Cons: Overcharging/Unnecessary services for NY Inspection Sticker
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