Desert Automotive Muffler and Hitch Company

Write a Review760-244-7183

CLOSED NOW - Opens at 8:00am

Brought my 2008 car in for a simple Wheel bearing replacement! tore my car apart and called me with a laundry list of things they wanted to sell me from wiper blades , radiator, motor mounts, brakes, calipers all around, water pump, belts, hoses, etc… wanting $4,000! told Brian the owner I just wanted the Wheel bearing replaced for the $240 quoted. after the run around he wouldn't take NO for an answer on replacing at least half my car and tried to keep handling my objections and close the deal over several phone calls. finally reluctantly agreed to replace the bearing only once I got angry and insisted. called me the next day said he couldn't honestly do it without replacing much more stuff over $1,500 worth due to safety and after insisting again he would do it for $500 labor plus parts not the quoted $240!! asked for my car back, wasn't ready when I went to pick it up as now it wont even start!!!!!. Bottom line, tried to hustle me, didn't work so they damaged my car!!!!! had to Tow it to another shop when I Drove it to them in the first place! Owner took NO responsibility. Will have to wait and see what damage they did and SUE them. Had my car all week. Total Con Men and ripoffs!!! Don't fall for the smooth talking nice guy act!!!

High prices for average or poor work. They talk good but their work is no better for the price you pay. I thought I was getting high end parts for my vehicle but found they were just standard parts. They promised me they would clean my K&N air filter for free when I brought my vehicle for any oil change. They never did clean it. I'll never go there again.

Kevyn, I too was very pleased with their initial customer service. I asked a lot of questions and they took the time to answer. I wanted a complete Magnaflow exhaust including a cat and they explain that much was unnecessary and a waste of money. A muffler only would do the job. They seemed knowledgeable and trustworthy so I had them install the muffler on my '03 Dodge Ram. When I got home, I check their work and notice the muffler looked cheap and had no markings. And there, was the beginning of my headache with these people.



I returned to ask if maybe they made a mistake. First I spoke with Mark, who now had no clue what I was talking about. He called Brian(the owner) to talk to me. Brian tried to convince me the muffler they installed was Magnaflow.



(BTW, Before I returned, I called Magnaflow directly, they explained ALL their mufflers come with a warranty card, no card? Not a Magnaflow)



I asked him to show me the Warranty card and both Brian told me there is no such thing and continued to try and convince me I had the right muffler(mind you, he never went out to check my truck). When I wouldn't let up demanding the warranty card, he finally smiled and agreed to swap it "if it makes you feel better", his exact words.



Customer service HAD been great so I gave them the benefit of the doubt and he(I place most of the blame on Brian being the owner) purpously tried to rip me off. Mark went as far as to raise his voice and say "I don't care what Magnaflow told you, there is no warranty card!". I refused to let them touch my truck again. Even though I caught them in their lies, they were rude, refused to admit any wrong doing or to refund my money(I even offered to return the junk they put in my truck first). I had to get the Bureau of Automotive Repair involved just to get a partial refund and the correct muffler. Even then, Brian compromised to avoid going to court.



IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW PAID FOR A BRAND NAME MUFFLER AT THIS SHOP, have it inspected by another shop(specially if they did not give you a warranty card with a Magnaflow or Flowmaster exhaust. Don't let them fool you and MAKE SURE YOU GOT WHAT YOU PAID FOR. The two shops I took my truck to verify the work refused to even charge me for the inspection and even if it's been too long and you don't have a receipt, take the time to report them so they don't keep doing this.

Okay folks, not the sharpest tool in the shed. I went to these guys after basically being cheated out of every dime on the worst product out there. For a know-nothing I quickly educated myself and walked into this shop. They were a no bull-s$#T outfit, and pretty much told me what they could and couldn't do. Their knowledge of warranty vs. performance issues were solid and my conversations were less like shark vs. prey and more like a family, we're here for you, kind of atmosphere.

The main guy on duty, Mark , spent 40 minutes with me, looking over my truck, explaining how a tow package would work and recommending a performance package that just made sense.

I will be back there next week for the tow package, then for the performance package and ultimately for my maintenance. I witnessed several dealings with customers who knew their S#$T and it doesn't take much to see these guys are the go to guys. looking forward to a mechanic I can trust.