Ernesto's Transmission

For vehicle owners in San Bernardino, California, and the surrounding areas, choosing an auto repair shop, especially for specialized services like transmission work, requires careful consideration. Ernesto's Transmission, located at 245 W Base Line St # D, San Bernardino, CA 92410, USA, operates within the Auto Repair Stations category, providing services for vehicle maintenance and repair. While specific contact information (phone number) was not provided in the prompt, its physical address indicates its presence in the local automotive service landscape.

When evaluating an automotive service center, understanding the range of services offered, the typical customer experience, and the overall reliability is crucial. Public feedback for Ernesto's Transmission presents a starkly mixed picture, showcasing both positive attributes and highly concerning experiences, which is vital for potential customers to review before making their choice.

While specific details about the physical environment of Ernesto's Transmission are not extensively detailed in the provided information, its address at 245 W Base Line St # D suggests a location within a commercial or industrial complex, typical for auto repair shops. The phrase "the owner is very convincing with his customer service skills" from a negative review hints at an environment where initial interactions might seem positive and reassuring, which can be a key factor in how customers perceive the shop at the outset. Without further information, customers should consider visiting the shop to form their own impression of the premises and general atmosphere.

As an Auto Repair Station with "Transmission" in its name, Ernesto's Transmission likely specializes in, or at least heavily focuses on, transmission diagnostics, repair, and replacement. However, the provided customer reviews also indicate they handle other general automotive repairs. Based on the customer testimonials, specific services mentioned include:

• Main Computer (ECU) Replacement: One review details a customer being charged for a "main computer" replacement, indicating their capability to work on vehicle electronics and control units.
• Radiator Hose Replacement: This service was also mentioned in the context of the same repair, showing they handle basic engine cooling system components.
• Sensor Replacement: The customer was also charged for "2 sensors," further demonstrating their work on various vehicle electronic components.
• General Diagnostics: One customer brought their car in because it "was smoking and wouldn't start right," indicating they perform diagnostic work to identify the root cause of vehicle issues.
• Hose Repair: The positive review noted that the problem, initially misdiagnosed by others as an engine issue, was "just a hose," suggesting their ability to accurately diagnose and fix simpler, yet critical, problems.

While a comprehensive list of all services, such as full transmission rebuilds, routine maintenance (e.g., oil changes), brake services, or tire services, is not explicitly provided, the reviews suggest a range of services beyond just transmissions, including electronic components and general troubleshooting.

The feedback for Ernesto's Transmission offers two dramatically different perspectives on its features and the resulting customer experiences:

• Speedy and Efficient Service: One customer praised them for "speedy and efficient service," which is highly valued by individuals who rely on their vehicles.
• Honesty (Perceived by one customer): A customer explicitly stated, "I will continue going on account of there honesty!!" This refers to an instance where other shops allegedly misdiagnosed a severe engine problem, but Ernesto's Transmission correctly identified it as "just a hose," saving the customer from potentially unnecessary and costly repairs. This speaks to a strong perception of integrity and fair dealing for this particular customer.
• Protection Against Exploitation (Perceived by one customer): The positive reviewer felt they would have been taken advantage of as a woman "not knowing a thing about cars" by "80% of shops," but Ernesto's Transmission provided an honest assessment. This indicates a perceived feature of trustworthiness and fairness, especially towards vulnerable customers.

Conversely, a detailed negative review outlines highly severe allegations, suggesting potential fraud and a lack of integrity:

• Allegations of Fraudulent Parts Usage: The most critical concern is the claim of being charged $1,300 for a "Brand New" main computer, which was later discovered by another mechanic to have a "pick a part" label, indicating it came "from a junk yard." This is a direct accusation of deception and selling used parts as new, at a premium price.
• Significant Overcharging: The customer believes the shop "made $1000.oo off of me by selling me junk," suggesting a massive profit margin on the alleged fraudulent transaction. This points to potentially exploitative pricing practices.
• Warranty Disregard/Failure Post-Warranty: The car reportedly broke down "1 month past the warranty," which, while technically outside the warranty period, suggests a concern about the longevity and quality of the repair itself, especially in light of the "junk yard" part allegation.
• Deceptive Customer Service Skills: The negative reviewer warned, "The owner is very convincing with his customer service skills and will Rob you blind." This implies that while initial interactions might seem pleasant, they can mask dishonest practices.
• Strong Negative Recommendation: The customer "absolutely 'DO NOT' recommend this shop" and warns others to "come here at your own risk," concluding with a "Good luck! 👎 😤." This is a powerful and unequivocal warning against using their services.

These two reviews present an extreme dichotomy, making it very difficult for a new customer to assess the shop objectively. While one customer extols their honesty, another alleges outright fraud and deception.

No specific promotional offers or discounts are mentioned in the provided information. Therefore, the primary promotional aspect for Ernesto's Transmission would rely heavily on word-of-mouth. The positive review, emphasizing "honesty" and "speedy and efficient service," would be a strong form of organic promotion, particularly for those who feel vulnerable in auto repair situations.

However, the value proposition for Ernesto's Transmission is severely undermined by the highly negative review. For the positive customer, the value is in transparent, efficient, and honest service that saves them from unnecessary repairs. This creates immense trust and repeat business. For the negative customer, the perceived value was zero, leading to significant financial loss, disappointment, and a strong feeling of being "robbed blind." This creates a severe deterrent for future customers.

In conclusion, Ernesto's Transmission in San Bernardino, CA, is presented as an Auto Repair Station with an extremely conflicting set of customer experiences. While one review praises their honesty and efficiency in diagnosing a simple issue, another makes very serious allegations of deception involving the sale of used parts as new at a very high markup, leading to significant financial loss and deep distrust. Prospective customers are advised to exercise extreme caution, conduct thorough independent research, seek multiple opinions, and potentially verify the origin and condition of any parts being installed before proceeding with services at Ernesto's Transmission, given the profound disparity in reported outcomes.