Arthur's a charming guy. So are the people that work for him. But Arthur's the only person in his Sunoco with the nuts to look you in the eyes, and shake your hand as he rips you off.
I never write reviews online, but I do find them helpful from time to time. So in way of warning, here's my story.
The control arm on my Dodge broke in a pothole on a side street in Dorchester a few months ago, and the guy in the AAA tow truck that came to my rescue brought me to Arthur, with the assurance that he's certified and a good mechanic. I left my car overnight. In the morning a chipper lady, who I suspect is related to Arthur, called with the news that my control arm was broken--which I was already aware of and had told Arthur when I dropped off the car. She said it would cost $900 to fix. I'd been having other troubles with this car?it failed inspection because of a check engine light?so I asked her if she could look into that and tell me whether or not the car was worth fixing.
A little context--I'm a college student on a tight budget. At the time I was in the midst of classes, midterms. In short I didn?t have time for a car emergency. Now those classes have finished. And thinking back, I wish I?d been at the mercy of any other mechanic. I might still have a car.
Arthur himself called me an hour later saying that he didn?t know what was wrong with the engine. If I wanted him to look into it, I?d have to pay him hourly for a minimum of four hours. So I?m looking at $1300 just to fix the control arm and to find out what?s wrong with the engine. Incidentally I needed new breaks (with roaders) as well, he said, which would have cost hundreds more. I told him to forget it, and asked if he would be willing to junk the car for me. He said he would, but I?d need to come down and settle up first. He reminded me to bring the Title for the car.
Now I realize that this transaction must have been a pain for him, what with his lucrative filling station to manage and all those Milton people lined up to get their state inspections. Junking my car was a favor, and he told me this when I arrived registration in hand. At the time I didn?t remember that just a month earlier I?d replaced all four tires, specialty tires because that?s all the car would take. The tires alone were worth $400, though the pothole had scuffed up at least one of them.
Arthur told me that he had a guy who would give me $150 for my car. Fine. I didn?t have time or money to worry about this. I?m living off the GI Bill, which is also paying my college tuition, and my midterms were just a day away. I could walk to school. I signed the Title for my busted Dodge over to Arthur?s Sunoco. He said he?d deduct the $150 from my bill, which made my heart jump into my mouth. How could it cost more than $150 to look under the car, see the broken control arm? He said the bill was for the engine inspection, etc. $225.00, but he?d take $60 even. He told me he?d give me a break on the extra $15.
So I paid him $60, gave him the Title and walked home.
Reading this now, it doesn?t sound so bad. I might just be blowing off steam from finals, but I can?t help but feel ripped off--I paid him to take my car, which as far as I know only had a broken control arm.
Pros: you get a firm handshake
Cons: Arthur's a con artist
more