Mondial Automotive

Mondial Automotive, located at 11414 14th Rd, College Point, NY 11356, USA, functions within the "Auto Repair Stations" platform category, primarily as a supplier of automotive and industrial electrical parts. While the category name might suggest a full-service repair shop, the provided customer reviews strongly indicate their core business is the sale and sourcing of specific components like starter motors and alternators. They can be reached by phone at (718) 461-1103 or +1 718-461-1103.

The environment at Mondial Automotive, based on the provided customer feedback, appears to be focused on a transactional model for parts sales, rather than a traditional repair shop setting. The interactions described by customers revolve around the process of finding, purchasing, and troubleshooting issues with supplied parts. The physical environment of the store itself, such as a waiting area or showroom, is not detailed in the reviews.

Customer experiences, however, are highly polarized. One review highlights an exceptionally positive experience, praising an employee named Bruce for his diligent efforts in finding an "obsolete" replacement starter for a 30-year-old generator. This customer noted Bruce "worked very hard" for "3 days" and ceased only because the customer decided to upgrade the generator. This reflects a commitment to customer support and a willingness to go the extra mile to source difficult-to-find parts. The customer concludes by stating, "Thanks for all your hard work!!! Great team on both coasts!" which suggests a high level of satisfaction and potentially a broader operational scope or customer base.

In stark contrast, another review details a severely negative experience. This customer, claiming to have stopped dealing with the company for two years before a recent urgent need for a starter, received a "lazy" Mahle starter for a Deutz engine that barely turned the engine over. Despite their "20 years of experience" and attempts to troubleshoot by cleaning cables, grounds, and changing the battery, the issue persisted. After performing a "free spin test" which showed the starter spinning "uncontrollably," they contacted "Orlando" at Mondial Automotive. The customer was told to return the part for testing and that no replacement was available. Upon returning the part, they were informed there was "no problem" with the starter and that an exchange would not be accepted. This customer concludes by stating, "Don’t deal with them total timewasters and racist Orlando," indicating deep dissatisfaction, a perception of unreliability in their products, and a serious accusation of racism against an employee. This stark difference in experiences suggests inconsistency in product quality, customer service, or both, and raises significant concerns about reliability and ethical conduct in some interactions.

Mondial Automotive primarily specializes in providing specific automotive and industrial electrical components. Based on the reviews, their core offerings include:

• Starter Motors: This is explicitly mentioned in both reviews, indicating a primary focus on supplying new or rebuilt starter motors for various applications, from standard vehicles to heavy equipment and generators.
• Alternators: While not directly mentioned in the provided reviews, auto parts stores specializing in starters typically also deal with alternators, which are complementary electrical components. Information from online directories confirms they deal in alternators and starters for automotive, commercial, industrial, and heavy-duty applications.
• Sourcing Obsolete and Hard-to-Find Parts: The positive review highlights their capability to "try and find a replacement starter that is now obsolete," showcasing a valuable service for customers dealing with older or specialized machinery.
• Parts for Diverse Applications: Their customer base includes individuals with generators and drill rigs (heavy equipment), suggesting they supply parts for a broader range of vehicles and machinery beyond just passenger cars. Online information further supports this, stating they serve the automotive, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and marine markets.

While categorized as "Auto Repair Stations," their primary role appears to be that of a parts distributor and problem-solver for component sourcing, rather than providing installation or mechanical repair services directly. Their expertise lies in the specific parts they supply and their ability to locate challenging items.

Based on the positive review, Mondial Automotive's key strength lies in its:

• Diligence in Sourcing Difficult Parts: Bruce's persistent effort to find an obsolete starter demonstrates a commitment to customer needs, even for challenging requests. This is a crucial feature for owners of older or specialized equipment.
• Broad Inventory/Sourcing Network: The ability to cater to a 30-year-old generator or a Deutz engine suggests a wide network for sourcing parts across different applications.
• Customer Service (in some instances): The positive review highlights strong customer service from individuals like Bruce, creating a highly satisfying experience.

However, the extremely negative review brings to light several critical concerns and alleged weaknesses:

• Questionable Product Quality/Testing: The allegation that a supplied starter was "lazy" and subsequently deemed "no problem" by Mondial Automotive after testing, despite empirical evidence from an experienced customer, raises serious questions about their product quality control and testing procedures.
• Inconsistent Customer Service: The stark contrast in reviews suggests that customer service and problem resolution can be highly inconsistent, with one employee providing exceptional help and another (Orlando) allegedly dismissive and unhelpful regarding a faulty part.
• Lack of Accountability: The refusal to exchange a part the customer believed was faulty, despite their own troubleshooting efforts, points to a potential lack of accountability or a rigid return policy.
• Serious Accusation of Racism: The explicit accusation of racism against an employee (Orlando) is a grave concern that indicates potential issues with ethical conduct and customer treatment in certain interactions.

The company website states they have been in business for "over 30 years," are "dedicated to giving you the best possible service," and offer "competitive prices and quality products." They also emphasize a "family-owned" operation that values customers. The discrepancies between these stated values and some customer experiences are notable.

Mondial Automotive's promotional efforts, while not explicitly detailed in the provided information, would likely focus on their specialty in hard-to-find starters and alternators for a wide range of applications, from standard vehicles to heavy-duty and industrial machinery. Their longevity in the business (over 30 years according to external sources) would also be a point of emphasis, signaling experience and stability.

Based on their nature as a parts supplier, potential promotional angles would include:

• Extensive Inventory: Highlighting their ability to stock or quickly source a vast array of starter motors and alternators for diverse makes and models, including obsolete parts.
• Competitive Pricing: As with most parts suppliers, they would likely emphasize competitive pricing for their products.
• Expert Knowledge: Promoting their staff's knowledge in identifying and supplying the correct parts for specific applications, as demonstrated by the positive experience with Bruce.
• Customer Support for Part Identification: Offering assistance to customers in identifying the correct replacement parts, which can be challenging for older or specialized equipment.

However, given the serious negative feedback regarding product quality and customer service, potential customers should proceed with caution. While some may find success in sourcing unique parts, others might face challenges with product reliability and dispute resolution. It would be advisable for prospective customers to inquire thoroughly about return policies, warranty information for parts, and to verify the compatibility and functionality of any purchased items as soon as possible after acquisition. The mixed reviews suggest that while they can be highly effective for some clients, the experience can be severely problematic for others.