Gateway Automotive

I had Gateway Automotive install a new clutch in a Green Metal flake, 1978 FJ-​40 Landcruiser that I owned, and was prepping for sale, at a cost of $ 450. I left the vehicle with them overnight.
The next afternoon, when I finally spotted my vehicle: (a) it was parked on the FAR end of their lot, near highway 70 — unlocked, (b) both hood clips were still unlatched, (and would have popped open if I hadn’t noticed their negligence,) and © the new clutch was WAY out of adjustment. Apparently, the mechanic had just installed the clutch, and said, «I’m done,» brushed his hands, drove the Landcruiser to the end of the lot, and turned in the ticket as work completed. Cha Ching! $ 450, please. Does leaving the vehicle unlocked and the hood open sound like conscientious, caring, service? NO! Leaving the clutch out of adjustment? NO! I was not pleased. For that kind of money the damned work had better be done with total customer satisfaction in mind — it wasn’t!
In retrospect, I probably should have walked back to the office and informed the owner/​manager of what I found, but I was so disgusted that I just wanted to get out of there and be done with them. Judging from some of the other reviews, it would have just been a hassle anyway.
As an added bonus, Gateway ALSO failed to catch a stuck radiator thermostat which showed orange, antifreeze leakage, around the top of the radiator gasket. I found this out the hard way, because the gentleman who bought my vehicle was determined to drive it back to Kentucky. The FJ-​40 overheated at Black Mountain, and had to be towed to a garage in Asheville where repairs were made. «I» didn’t catch this because the vehicle was not driven often, and never on long trips because it had a 4:11 ratio axle. A competent experienced mechanic would have spotted this, and notified me of the problem, which is an easy, quick, and cheap repair. They wouldn’t have made much money off such a repair so… it was not addressed. Again, this shows zero consideration for their customers.
Gateway Automotive showed me that they focus on getting the vehicles in and out, making money, and they don’t go the extra mile by being thorough or focusing on customer satisfaction.
I have no plans to use their services again, and I suggest that you take your vehicle to another independent garage who cares, or back to the dealership. The dealership may be more expensive, but at least the work will be done properly, and you won’t be left stranded like the poor gentleman who bought my truck. I was really embarrassed when I received his phone two days later — thanks Gateway.
PS: I have since been contacted by either an employee, but most likely the owner of this business, who claims that this review is a fabrication. Does it sound like a lie to you? I have better things to do, than focus on the workmanship of a darned garage. You may not remember me or my Landcruiser, and I’m sure that EVERY customer is a «random» person to you, but I sure as heck remember Gateway.
Suggestions:
Gateway: Do the work properly and thoroughly, treat people like a friend and not a walking billfold, and you won’t get any more negative reviews. In the meantime — grow up and stop calling negative reviewers liars! I can’t believe the immaturity and pettiness of these people. Review rating dropped from two stars to one.
People: Read the other hidden one star review, and you’ll see what the owner really thinks about customers — $$$$ piñatas for him to extract maximum profit.