Complaint Review: Christian Brothers Automotive

Christian Brothers recently diagnosed (confirming my suspicion) of a bad thermostat. Recently they replaced a thermostat on my car at close to $1,000. (yes, it's an Audi). In the process, the technician made a mistake connecting the hood latch, requiring many more hours to cut off the latch and replace it. with a used part. (It was perhaps an honest mistake and I understood. I was not charged for this and even shared a process for the latch which I found on an Audi forum). It greatly delayed completion of repairs by several days, causing me concern as I wanted to drive several days before taking a trip. The thermostat was done correctly and I have no problem with it. Ancillary issues are the problem. The cost of labor for the thermostat is the same for replacing the timing belt. (belt must be removed to replace the thermostat. i told the service manager to do this. (Conveniently he cannot recall this). Since the timing belt is under covers, it was not apparent that it was not replaced. (Even with covers removed, it is impossible to tell a new belt from one with thousands of miles), Upon picking up the car and remitting amount due, did I did not noticed the invoice did not include replacing the belt. (the cost of the belt was minimal compared to labor.) There were diagnoses for other problems (leaking coolant) which were not related to replacing the thermostat. An error related to one of the cooling fans occurred following the thermostat replacement and may have been due to the thermostat service but I cannot confirm that. (the bumper, front of the car, radiator and cooling fans much be removed to access the thermostat) Unaware the timing belt was not replaced, I sold the car and stated in advertising as having the timing belt replaced very recently. (this is a service which must be done every 80,000 miles and is a major expense) It wasn't until the buyer asked for the invoice that I discovered the belt had not been done. Discussing this with the owner, he agreed that it made no sense not to change the belt during this time, but his service manager was who I told and he denied that I wanted it done. Prior to diagnosis, during and after the thermostat replacement, the response to calls and messages was terrible. I would call and the receptionist be promised a return call which did not happen, requiring multiple calls. My suggestion to anyone having Christian Brothers service your car, (especially a European car), is to insist the technician (Dan) most familiar do the work. Another nice young man, (Andrew) who I can't fault, simply doesn't have the knowledge to work on an Audi. Regardless of what kind of car, I would recommend everything and all expectations be put in writing. Do not assume anything. Verbal communication of instructions or expectations is useless unless when dealing with Christian Brothers unless it is in writing. I would also insist on a inspection and written confirmation on the status of any other systems before and after Christian Brothers performs service. This to avoid any failures that "just happen" to occur during service. In regards to the sale of my car, I am not legally responsible for an "as is" transaction. However, my integrity prompts me to bear the cost of a timing belt replacement ($1,000) for the new owner because I told him the belt had just been done. Since there is no written documentation, Christian Brothers cannot be held accountable. I will chalk it up to a bad experience and will not return to Christian Brothers.