Demos Automotive Center

Demo's was recommended as one of my insurance comapny's approved shops and I took my vehicle there after it was damaged in a theft. To replace a broken window and the steering column it took them almost a month, and all the while leaving me without a vehicle. After finally getting my car back, I never wanted to return to this shop again, but their poor work has kept me returning over and over to fix problems with their craftsmanship. My vehicle has never been the same, and on my last visit, TWO YEARS after the job, they refused to honor their guarantee on the original work. Now I am stuck spending money out of my own pocket to repair the steering column, but at least now I know teh work will be doen properly. Besides their negligence, Demo's also offers the poorest customer service I've ever received at a repair or body shop.

I paid $155 for a battery they said would last me 6 years. 18 months later it died. I took it in to get a replacement. The prorated rate of the battery came out to under $40, but with their labor, it was over $80. Thus, I spent $235 for a battery that will probably die again in a year. Go to Walmart or Discount Tire and Battery. Do not go to Demo's. They are a money pit.

It is probably a good thing I am writing this review a couple of years after my experience at Demos. My insurance company wanted me to bring my car to Demos. I certainly lived to regret it. Not only did it take over a month for me to get my car back, but they did not really seem to care one bit that it was costing me a fortune in car rental. Once I got the car back it was one thing after another. Diagnosis was wrong one time too many, but I had brought the car back because they were the ones that had the work "guaranteed". Finally I gave up and incurred more out of pocket expense by going to the dealer (who fixed some recurring problems immediately). I'm still paying for the work they did, one a car that was near perfect before their repair job. Of course, a wrecked car can be trouble - but not this much!

I can't believe this was an AAA-recommended mechanic. I went to them on 3 occasions. Every time, the prices seemed pretty high, but they were close by, and I was too lazy to find a new mechanic. Big mistake. The last big repair I had with them, was to replace my fan belt. However, within a month of the repair, I kept hearing a strange noise from the engine. I went to a new mechanic (a friend of a friend), who quickly located the problem - the fan belt was the wrong size!! Upon opening the hood, it was clearly obvious that the belt did not fit the "spool" and was sliding back and forth wildly. I took the car straight back to Demo's for them to make it right, and they argued with me at first, before I forced them to look at the belt (while I was standing there). They reluctantly agreed to replace the belt, but never apologized for their mistake in the first place. Would not recommend them -- there are much, much better-priced and HONEST mechanics in Houston. Don't waste your time or money at Demo's.