Michael's Auto Repair and Detail

Just picked up my car and it looks like new! You'd never know we had driven a thousand miles with a toddler throwing snacks in the back seat, or climbing around with muddy boots. They did a beautiful job and for great value, other companies I checked out charged over $100 more.

We bought a used car that ended up having major engine problems. Brought it back to the dealer who said to use these guys and they would pay for the repair. This was a complete engine overhaul. The car was at the shop for about a week or so and now months later, no problems. Price was almost half what we were quoted elsewhere. Wouldn't hesitate to use again.

"In 15 years, we've never had a single complaint."

Those were the first words that came from the man who identified himself as Michael's father when I informed him that the detailing job they had just done on my car had removed many, many chips of paint from the front of the car and its hood. I was also told this by one of the employees. It started to sound like talking points.

I have to agree with an earlier reviewer (who had a similar experience it seems...Wish I'd read that review two days ago) that it makes sense to inform your employees to stop working on a car when paint starts to be compromised.

I spoke with Michael on the phone (I had to insist to his father to call him), and was told I'd brought it in like that. Not one person would admit that the paint chips happened at their shop. Oh, and then I was told I either paid the full amount, or I didn't get my keys.

I'm not going to fight them. I'm not calling a lawyer. I actually just want to sell my car (why I was getting it detailed to begin with), and still plan to. Now I guess I'll just take a hit in the sale price.

I just wanted to post this so people know: these guys are dishonest, uncool, and basically, well, in my opinion, jerks. I'm not quite sure how they sleep at night.

I'd look elsewhere if I were you. I sure wish I had.

The work I had done was the $89.95 detail on a 10 year old subcompact car that had been to the Brown Bear a few times, but hadn't had a good waxing for many years. Overall, the people at Michael's did a great job inside and out.

I added an extra star to this rating because for the money it was well worth the result.

There wasn't much paperwork involved: I dropped off the car and a key, and wrote my name and phone number on a yellow sticky note. I was told it would be done around 2 PM and almost on the nose I was called and told the car was ready. Payment was equally paper-sparse, receiving only a credit card receipt.

The car looked great inside and out with a few inconsistencies here and there. For example, the door openings were cleaned, but the gas cap cover area was not. Also, the cup holder lid was cleaned but inside it was not. There were a few tiny wax globs here-and-there, which I suspect flew over from another car being waxed. Some hair was balled up and stuck to the floor mats, but it wasn't a big issue. The tires were overly shiny, but that diminished after a day.

I liked that the car didn't have a strong perfume smell (just a bit of "clean" smell), and that the plastic surfaces were not super shiny or slick. The windows appeared to be well cleaned.

The only real complaint I have is that my trunk-mounted CD player had water in the access door area.

Things to keep in mind...
* Though they run the car for a bit and keep the heat on to improve drying, the car is returned with damp carpets, so it's best that you have a few days of warm weather or a warm garage to help dry out the car. An inexpensive "dri-z-air" dehumidifier might help. My car mats were especially damp but dried out well after a day indoors.
* Be sure to empty the car of everything: trunk, car seats, glove box, etc., otherwise you'll find it all in the trunk in a bag.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR HERE FOR ANY SIGNIFICANT REPAIR. After purchasing a car from an equally dishonest dealership, Maharaja Motors. Sunny is a crook and so is his father. I bring the car to Michael to do basic maintenance and to see what else was needed. I ended up having to replace all of the brakes, plugs, radiator replaced, thermo., etc. which cost an insane amount. But, I figure that there would be nothing else to go wrong with this car.

The very next day, the CHECK ENGINE lights go off and the car is misfiring. I take the car back to Michael and more work is done. Including replacing seat belts and even more parts. I am almost into this car what I paid for it. Two days later, the darn thing wouldn't start. Michael wasn't rude. Just lacking any honor or taking his work seriously. After getting the car back to him once again, the starter was replaced. About two months ago the car started over heating. How can this be, I just purchased brand new parts? So I call Michael and ask him to come out and have some one finally fix this car.

Which of course he refused but was happy to invite me to bring the car back. Not going to happen. I took the car to another mechanic who said the parts were not new and the work wasn't good. The services which should have been done were not performed. So not I am having to contact the State about he and the dealership. I was sold a lemon and Michael only made matters worse with using used parts and bad work. Do yourself a favor and take your car to a high school auto shop. You will get better service and work.

This place was horrible. First of all, they are seriously lacking when it comes to customer service. Even though the detail was only scheduled for an hour I was told I couldn't stay in the waiting area - that I need to go across the street to a coffee shop and wait until they called me. The owner actually raised his voice at me.
Secondly, the quality of the service provided was a joke. After the "detail" there were still entire patches of dirt on my trunk and other places that looked like had been missed entirely. I don't know whether they thought they could slack on quality because I was getting a discounted deal, but they should have been concerned about retaining me as a customer. If this had been a regular detail I would have refused to pay and I would have made them start over. I will not be going back to this establishment.

Never done a detailing and went there on a friend's recommend.

Agree with other reviewers on the general description of their reviews.

Since I've nothing to compare previously - it was a very well done detailing job.

Not being one to write many reviews yet, I feel my experience here (and the lack of other reviews) deserves one. I'm selling my 2005 Honda Civic, and it has been in need of some love. Lots of door dings, a scrape on the right side, general evidence of having lived on Capitol Hill. It was a dirtier, more dinged up version of the car I loved so much when I bought it new. (And I have always taken a considerable amount of care with it.)

I read the two existing reviews of Michael's, saw that they offer a ~$80 detail, and thought I couldn't go wrong giving them a shot. (This is my first detail job ever, by the way.) I called and talked to someone on a Thursday, who told me to drop my car off early the next week when their schedule was more open. I dropped my car off Monday morning with very little conversation and was told I'd get a call at 4:00pm from Michael when it was ready to pick up. At 4:00pm, Michael called and told me it was ready.

And then things got exciting. The car looked fantastic; the windows and mirrors were all totally spotless, the car was nicely waxed, the tires were shiny, and the engine looked like it once had on a new car lot. I'm a fairly critical person, and the only imperfection I found was a grimy area on the back window between the glass and the rear brake light. To be fair, they would have had to remove the rear window to clean it -- and no, I'm not that unrealistic. But that's the only thing that didn't look new.

They also touched up the paint, completely got rid of a white swipe on the front right wheel well (a gentle alley kiss in Capitol Hill scored while making room for a truck), and made every blemish disappear. I half-wonder if they popped out some dings, but it could be my imagination running wild since the wax and touchups have done so much for the car.

The final bill was $95, and I'm not sure how. They did a fantastic job and even steam-cleaned my engine. I will absolutely be going back here, and would recommend that you give it a shot.

I'm docking them one star because they're not the friendliest folks and I felt a little stupid and unsure of what I was doing. I'm used to that feeling, but it wouldn't hurt to have a tiny bit of reassurance or a smile.

DO NOT BOTHER EVEN BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR DETAIL WORK!!!

The worst customer service ever! Took my car in for an auto detail appointment using my Living Social voucher.
I can tell you right now a 5 year old could have done a much better job.

Windows not washed, dirt spots all over the car still. No tire dressing, car still wet when they gave it back to me. Dust inside, smudges on all the windows. I'm pretty sure they didn't even wash them. The ABSOLUTE worst wash ever. Brown Bear does a better job for less.

Michaels - If you are going to invest in using Living Social or Groupon to try to generate loyal happy new customers who will brag and come back then here's a thought.....DO YOUR FRIGGEN JOB!!!! Just saying............

I wish I could give this place negative stars. If you care about how your money is spent, do not bring your car to this shop. They will give you an estimate, and once you agree to that price, they will do additional work and not tell you until it's time to pay up and pick up your car. Dishonest, quintessential sleazy mechanic shop. Offered to show me the parts that he had to replace. You know, the parts he probably broke! Was involved in a weeklong battle with Michael and each day his story and details changed. I'll be taking this guy to court. Sounds like I'm not the only customer he screwed over. Hate to say it, but reading other people's bad reviews does not surprise me. This guy is a crook! I bet the people who gave him good reviews are family/friends.