Gitt's Spring

Peter Jancola

★☆☆☆☆

6 years ago

I had the the worst automotive experience of my life here. This is pretty detailed. The short of it is they took forever, charged me twice for the same thing, wheels are now off center in the wheel well (had to get a new driveline between the lift and the axles moving back) and the springs ride like garbage. Owner also started screaming at me. Avoid at all costs. Went from highly recommended to nightmare in about 3 weeks. I have a Chevy Tahoe that I lifted. I wanted to lift the rear of the truck another inch and replace the blocks in the rear that came with the lift kit, with springs. I was referred to Gitt spring by another shop that was doing work on my truck so I gave them a shot. I was happy at first. I spoke with Alvin down there and he seemed friendly and very knowledgeable. I was quoted two separate costs, one to build the springs and a second to install the springs in case I wanted to do the install myself. I was informed install could take 2-3 hours if I had them do it. I went ahead and prepaid for the springs and had them get started on making them. I was told they would be ready to install them in about a week. After a week, I called and said they weren't ready. I called back a week later and was told another week. This time they at least made an appointment for me. A total of 3 weeks later, I finally took my truck in. Once there, I was quite surprised to find out that they still hadn't even made my springs. I was told by the employee that they needed the truck there in order to make them even though I had been told they would be made ahead of time and I just had to have them installed. I was angry, but left me vehicle. I got a call later that day that they would have it done same day but it was taking longer to do than anticipated or something like that. They ended up finishing after hours and called to let me know that it was ready. At this point, I was at work and unable to pick it up so he said that if I paid over the phone, they would leave it outside for me to pick up. I said ok and asked him how much I as told it was almost 7 hours of labor to build and install the springs. I tried to tell him that wasn't right and I already paid for the springs to be built but he said that's what the invoice said and I would have to discuss it with the boss. They also wouldn't let me pick up my truck without paying. I decided to pay over the phone so I could get my truck back and then just come back and discuss it with the boss. When I came back I spoke with the old guy behind the counter. It is important to note that my truck also ended up sitting over 3" higher in the rear than we had discussed. I came in and told him that I was unhappy and he immediately lost it. He started literally screaming at me. He told me I wouldnt get a single penny back and that he didn't want to do the work in the first place (which is funny because he was happy to take the money upfront). This was before I even had a chance to tell him why I was upset. There were also other customers in the waiting area. I simply told him that I was unhappy because the springs were much higher than we talked about and that he charged me labor to build springs that I already paid for. He confirmed for me that the springs were not made until I had brought the truck in and could not seem to give me an answer as to why I was being charged twice for the labor to make the springs. He continued to yell and scream about how he didn't want to do the job in the first place. I finally told him that he could either refund me the labor for building the springs the second time, or I would stop payment on my credit card. He finally refunded me the portion of labor. In addition to the hassle, the springs rode rock hard and had the center hole drilled in the wrong spot. I finally took a leaf out of them and that softened them up a little and got me to the ride height I was looking for. I attached a photo of how off center my wheel is now from the center pin being to far back. The wheel hits the fender now when I am off roading and the suspension flexes.

Brett P. Phillips

★★★★★

4 months ago

Easy to work with. Good customer service. Responsive. I recommend you consider them.

puetko

★☆☆☆☆

5 years ago

Frustrating and confusing to say the least, I called and spoke with the owner months ago looking for a shop that could align our limousines. He assured me he had the space to do it and that they did busses, ect and it shouldn't be a problem. Well I made some changes to the front suspension in my newest Hummer (2" leveling kit in the front, 40,000 miles) and called to make an appointment because I knew the changes would upset the perfect alignment it had. Took the Limo down there and dropped it off. Received a call about an hour or so later where the office person told me they couldn't align it because the front end was "shot". She then read me off a list of things it needed, New pitman Arm, New control Arms, New inner and outer tie rods, Ball joints, basically an entire front end, (about a 1800.00 up-sell). She asked if I wanted them to work up a quote? lol...I'm laughing because I'm a mechanic (40,000 miles) and I had just replaced both wheel hub assemblies on each side and know the condition of these components she spoke of. I told her I'd be right down. I went there and spoke with the 2 shop mechanics who swore the front end was wasted and they just couldn't do anything with it, it would wear tires, really bad, ect. So I explained to them that I was a mechanic and my business theory and how I suggested they align it, with the waiver of responsibility. If the front is indeed worn, I'd replace it at my convenience and then bring it back to them and pay them again to align it. They were animated and swore it just wasn't worth it to me and it would destroy the tires, ect so I said okay, your loss$$ and I drove away paying them nothing. After jacking up the front and doing a "shake down" of my own I notice zero movement or play either in the balljoints or any components up front (just giving them the benefit if the doubt). So I made an appointment with Puget Sound Alignment in Kent. Took the car in, an hour later they called me to pick it up, all done, no issues. I asked the two mechanics about the condition of the front end and they told me there wasn't anything wrong with it, everything was tight and normal for a truck with 40,000 miles on it. I paid them, left them a 75.00 tip and drove away (pleasant experience). My suggestion to future customers of Gitt Spring is 1. if it's not in their "wheelhouse" meaning not something they usually work on don't take your vehicle here, even if they say they will/can do it. 2. be careful because they are liars and will take advantage of you if they can. My suggestion to the owners of Gitt Spring is; 1. try to get to know your customer a little before you lie to them, they may know more about their vehicle then you do and 2. Don't lie to your customers, it will NEVER serve you well for future business, be honest. If your mechanic didn't want to do it, or didn't know how, didn't have the tools to adjust those eccentric bushings, then you just should have apologized and been honest, I would have understood and went somewhere else and appreciated your honesty.

Patrick

★★★★☆

a year ago

I like giving positive and real feedback that both the consumer, looking for help and the business, that's trying to get better, can utilize. First off, Gitt Springs fixed my truck's suspension problem. That's paramount and I owe Alvin a big public THANK YOU!! I plan on using these guys in the future if I have any problems occur with suspension on my trucks. I made it clear I was not in a rush and would not be calling to nag about my truck being fixed. So it was ok with me that they had my truck awhile. I think the only feedback I have for the transaction is the documentation & authorization procedures. I signed a paper when I dropped my truck off authorizing $500 or $600 to diagnose/repair and to call me if its done or to tell me I need to authorize more and why. Later on, I did get a call that it was done and a received a final price that was well over what I had authorized. But like I said, my truck is fixed and I left happy. But I suspect some people won't like finding out their bill is twice what was originally talked about.

Mark Bryant

★★★★☆

6 years ago

Fair job, fair price, I will be back definitely! Staff were very helpful.

George Mitchell

★★★★★

6 years ago

Great customer service! I called around noon with my specs for 4 u bolts gave my credit card number and had my bolts the next day delivered to my door step in Lewis county and they were an exact match to the originals just a tad bit longer which was explained to me when I was ordering them. I would most definitely buy from them again as well as explore their other services should I need them.

Joshua Voigt

★★★★★

3 years ago

Great shop, great springs if you want to haul weight. I bought a used 1-ton pickup with a set of Gitt's 5+1 springs in the rear and let me tell you those springs mean business! It takes about 4000# in the back of that truck just to soften the ride a little. I recently took a different truck in for a heavier helper spring pack for hauling a camper, and the staff were friendly, quick and on budget, they did a good job and had me out early in the afternoon. They custom-arced the springs so that they don't engage when the truck is empty, and the ride is unchanged.

Tim Kramer

★★★★★

6 years ago

They were super helpful with getting the exact U bolts our shop needed on an interesting - slightly dangerous - set up we were trying to fix. They even helped with a good recommendation where we could get custom blovks made. You guys are awesome and Meineke plans on using you guys whenever the job requires it. Thanks again!

Hannah Willoughby

★☆☆☆☆

7 years ago

Absolutely terrible experience. Awful. Rude from the get-go. Didn't deliver our parts because we put them on will call (definitely didnt). And then when they delivered them, they took them to the wrong place and I had to go get it myself. Even though I double checked half a dozen times that they had the correct address. When I called to correct the billing, again, rude. Put mr on hold without any warning. I guess our conversation is done? When I called back to talk someone in charged, she acted like I personally offended her. Once I get a call back, he basically tells me "I've been doing this 35 years and never got a complaint before." Even though we've been purchasing from there for years, don't plan on ever doing it again.

Daniel Dobson

★★★☆☆

Edited 4 years ago

Made an appointment for thursday and called ahead to make sure they had the right parts for my vehicle. They said they could get it done same day with the appointment. They found other issues when we got in the shop so they said now it would be done by end of day friday which was totally understandable. Called friday and they said it would be done Monday. Called monday and they said it would be done Wed. Here we are on Wednesday and they say thursday. If they get it done today I'll consider adjusting my review but each time they didn't hit their deadline I had to call and reschedule with my customers. Now my business looks like the flake. I understand things come up but that many times is just poor planning or giving false expectations. Very Frustrated.

harley herron

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

Gave them a coil spring I can’t buy anymore for an older car so I could get copies of it. They never called me to pick them up. Contacted them and was promised a call back with info .Never received a call back and my spring is gone evidently.

Char Rhea

★★★★★

a year ago

Great job on the spring for my old van! Odd van odd springs and you did an amazing job. Makes the biggest difference now.

Steve Ettinger

★★★★★

4 years ago

I cannot say enough great things about the team at Gitts Spring in Auburn!! We were visiting the Seattle area (from Minnesota) in our new 5th Wheel RV for my daughter’s wedding. Upon arriving in Seattle, we discovered one of the brand new RV tires (less than 2k miles) was almost worn through due to a huge alignment problem. We were only going to be in town for just a few days before continuing our travels, and we were desperate to get the issue resolved before leaving the Seattle area. I called a half dozen other truck alignment shops, and struck out on each call. Those shops either didn’t work on RVs; didn’t have availability in their schedules; or just didn’t really want to bother with me. Then I called Gitts Spring, and explained our dilemma to Susan. She listened patiently, then put me on hold so that she could check with her team, and while they were booked out for 2 weeks, they agreed to squeeze us in if we could be there first thing Monday morning! Done! I was able to change out the bad tire and put on the spare before our drive down to Gitts from Bothell. When we got there, Alvin met us and explained how he was going to move out other vehicles from their shop to make space for our huge RV. He was awesome. Then, once we got the rig unhitched, Kyle and Garrett took ownership of our project, and I couldn’t have asked for 2 nicer, more considerate and professional guys. They were legit fantastic! Kyle discovered that all 4 of the independent suspensions were out of alignment to some degree, so he corrected the severe issue on the left front wheel and then did all of the others too. When the job was done, both Kyle and Garrett went out of their way to explain what had been done, how to keep an eye on things, and even set me up with a part I needed for my hitch. Amazing! So all I can say is: THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT GITTS SPRING!! We would have been so screwed without you!! THANK YOU!!!

Scotty B

★★★★★

2 years ago

Excellent service. We have used them many times and they are so great to deal with. Always willing to work with us on tight timelines.

Zach Campbell

★★★★★

2 years ago

Very fast! And great prices. U bolts were shipped and at my door the next day

Larry Fritz

★★★★★

3 years ago

The plastic disks on the leaf springs were worn out on a Class C motorhome. The springs are too weak and wrong for this model (manufacture defect). Replacing with better springs that will limit rocking, at a good price. Propping up the body and dropping the axle is too dangerous at home. They do a lot of motorhomes.

Albert Skoczylas

★★★★★

3 years ago

Dropped off leaf springs for a re-arch and they added a couple new leaves. Alvin, Sue, and Rick were all very helpful. They also helped us find an old air spring that was a bit of a pain to find. There were some communication difficulties as they are working with a new phone system, but we got through it. Thanks!