34th Street Garage

05/21/2008 Posted by johnnali

I decided to take my car to 34th Street to get my oil changed to support the smaller local business. I usually go to Carters in Ballard to get my car serviced and I have always had a good experience, but I was enticed by a coupon to 34th Street and decided to try the little guy. I made a morning appointment a week in advance, hoping I could drop my car off and work on my laptop from the nearby Starbucks for the hour or so I assumed it would take to get my oil changed. Upon dropping off my car at 8:00a.m. the owner told me I could pick my car up at Noon, I was surprised but guess it was my fault for not asking how long it would take. He told me he would call when the car was ready, well 12:30 rolled around and no call. So I called him, he told me that the car would not be ready until around 2-3p.m. because he did not have the correct oil filter for my car. But I told him the specifications of my car when I made the appointment and my car is a 2006 VW, nothing special or unique. So finally the car was down at about 3p.m.. The $28.99 oil change special with free tire rotation turned into a $50.00 service. Apparently VWs use more oil than other cars, so I paid $10 extra there, disposal fee was about $5, plus tax equals way more than I expected. No wash, no vacuum, and the worst part he told me he rotated my tires and he DIDN’T! I know because I had a mark on my front driver side tire that was still on my front driver side tire when I got home. I would rather spend $60 at Carters and get the services I am promised, plus I get a free loaner car there. Also, the owner seriously lacks customer service skills. First I thought he just had a dry sense of humor so I tried to play along but turns out he is just rude. I thought maybe his rudeness was a trade of for being an exceptional trustworthy mechanic so I let that slide too. But after leaving I realized he is just a rude untrustworthy mechanic. I’m going back to Carters where they treat me with respect and honesty.

Pros: close to my house

Cons: Didn’t provide the promised services, rude, didn’t have courtesy to call and tell me the car would not be ready when promised

12/20/2007 Posted by violetmelody

After my car and I being treated like we were hardly worth the time and not taken seriously because I'm a woman ( A woman with her own car a thing of myth I know!) God blessed me by finding the 34th street garage. The labor rate is a wee bit higher than other 'cookie cutter' places but you definatly get more than what you pay for. Here I am always greeted by the owner himself Gene. A family run business when Gene was missing I was more than helped by his lovely and charming daughter Vanessa. All my experiences have been quick, professional, curtious and most importantly done right the first time! Excellent customer service, Vanessa gave me a ride home, even stopping at the store on the way to pick up a perscription I had forgotten to pick up before I dropped off my car all at no extra charge. It's obvious that to gene and his family customers are more than just dollar signs. They even help out the community by donating to the Jaymie moyer foundation and sponsoring a local baseball team. Don't put up with other places B.S. this place is a great choice.

Pros: quick, efficent, respectful, customer service

Cons: Parking is a little hard

02/22/2007 Posted by thelenmc

I LEARNED THE HARDWAY. I KEEP FORGETTING IN TODAYS WORLD YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE GONE TO THE DISCOUNT SHOPS THAT ARE ALL TRYING TO "DO IT ALL" ONLY TO SEE THEY DO EVERYTHING ELSE BUT SOLVE THE ORIGINAL CONCERN I HAVE WITH MY VEHICLE . I THEN GO BACK TO 34TH STREET GARAGE IN MAGNOLIA AND PAY THE PRICE. I PAY THE PRICE FOR THEM TO "DO IT RIGHT" . THE SHOP LABOR IS HIGH YES, BUT HOW MUCH TIME AND MONEY HAVE I WASTED IN THINKING I CAN GO TO ANY SHOP WITH TODAYS HIGH TECH MASS COMPUTER CHIPPED VEHICLES AND SEE CONTINUED TROUBLES. PAY THE PRICE ONCE AND GET THE WORK DONE RIGHT AT 34TH STREET GARAGE I SAY AND SAY AGAIN! THANK YOU GENE FOR THE ONE ON ONE CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE KNOWLEDGE AND THEN LESSONS YOU TEACH ME EVERYTIME YOU COME TO MY AID.

Pros: ONE ON ONE, LIKE HAVING YOUR OWN PIT CREW!

Cons: NEEDS A GOOD PARKING LOT

10/12/2004 Posted by vinessa17

Gene, the owner of the 34th street Garage, Truly knows what he is doing when it comes to your Vehical and your saftey. Here, you are always dealing with honesty, Not only are they curtious and as quick as possible, they do excelent work that other mechanics could not. I will always take my car to Gene at 34th street and I live across town in Bellevue. Because like their slogan says "Quality work at reasonable cost."

Pros: Everything, Fair cost, Quick, Curtious,, Knowlagable,