By June 2010, I knew the transmission in my son?s Honda Accord had to be rebuilt. Because my son is a full-time teacher and I am an emeritus professor, I took on the task of getting it repaired. The ?going rate? from reputable shops gave me vertigo. During a routine visit for realignment, I asked Pep Boys if it could recommend an honest but more reasonable transmission shop--one that had all the necessary credentials and licensure but which was more affordable. Pep Boys sent me to Levco.
At Levco, I was politely greeted and soon given an estimate that, while certainly competitive with the two estimates I already had, was still more money than my son and I had in our combined budgets. That evening, however, I received a telephone call from Jesse Salinas. He identified himself as the owner. He said that he felt bad that Pep Boys had sent me to Levco, and, in effect, that Levco had turned me away with an estimate that was apparently beyond my means. He quoted another price, asking if I could afford it. It was very, very competitive--more than fair and reasonable. I said, ?yes, my son and I could handle that.?
Levco rebuilt the transmission and, at my request, fixed some other problems (air condition, oil leaking from valve covers, two broken engine mounts) at very competitive prices, prices where there was no mark-up on parts. When I stopped by once or twice to see how the ?rebuilt? going, Jesse?s men, always courteous, offered me soft drinks and some of the pizza they were having for lunch. I had never seen nicer people at an automotive shop--or, for that matter, anywhere.
In June 2011, I noticed a small leak from the shift shaft seal. I brought the motorcar in. Jesse put it up on the rack; took the shift shaft apart while I stood next to him; found the leaky seal; and, while he was ?at it,? checked everything else with the transmission as well as the undercarriage, all while giving me a most valuable tutorial on a number of subjects. There was no charge because the work was under warranty.
In sum, I give Levco the highest rating possible: It is an honest shop with fair prices and excellent service.
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