This is one of those reviews which I feel compelled to draft, because all too often I'm guilty of the tendency to merely review a service or product as a warning to others; this is an occasion where I feel very confident recommending the service. So confident, in fact, that I would be doing fellow consumers a disservice by -not- offering a review.
First, it would be impossible for me to overstate the excellent character of Galloping Gertie's owner, Damian. This gent is not merely possessed of extraordinary knowledge related to his field, but has a passion for our vehicles which rival our own; at every turn, I felt that Damian cared for my car the way he would want -his- vehicle to be regarded.
Three years ago, facing a grim cancer diagnosis, I did what any sane middle-aged man would do: I purchased a convertible BMW -- a decision my frugal and basic nature would never normally have permitted me to make. I adored this car, and it became a symbol of defiance for me. I note this, because I want to impart just how important the vehicle became to me, while battling a recurrent metastatic form of the disease with almost no 5 year overall survivorship.
As my physical condition worsened, I drove the vehicle less and less. Eventually I stopped driving it at all, and it sat uncovered under the pine trees, with grass growing around its tires; a sad analog to my own increasing state of physical and mental degradation. Yesterday marked five years since diagnosis, and recent medical imagery and essays show me clear of any trace of the disease. I was stunned, and unprepared for this change. Rejoining the living and hopeful, it seems, is far more challenging than accepting imminent mortality.
As I opened my eyes on a new existence, one of the very first things which sprang to mind was my car. My symbol of self. It became an imperative task to have it running again, and running well. I started my research.
One of the things which struck me most favorably about Galloping Gertie's was a testimony from Damian, about "that time we couldn't get it right". In my experience, it takes an enormous degree of honesty and deserved self-confidence to share situations where we didn't easily succeed; the process description for the situation he described -- the decisions weighed, form of communication with owner -- all these factors intrigued me enough to give GG's a call.
I am pleased beyond words that I did.
Damian made time to see my vehicle at the earliest opportunity his schedule allowed, and recommended a towing service with which he had good experience. Although the tow truck driver was well-intended, the jumpstart he provided didn't get me more than a mile, before the engine shut down. I called Damian with the concern, and he took time to explain the why/why nots of the situation with this BMW, and worked his schedule to accommodate the delay in our appointment.
Once at the garage, Damian greeted me personally, and took an immediate and visible interest in the car. We spoke at length about the gremlins which had taken up residence during the car's decline outdoors, and his interest only sharpened.
The quote he provided me for service, upon going over the vehicle with power, was impressive in a number of ways. It was immediate. By the next morning, he had provided a detailed and prioritized checklist of vehicle system conditions, with specific annotation as necessary, and called me to discuss the items. We agreed on the major issues to be addressed, he provided a verbal quotation and followed-up that day with a written one.
To say that the quote was thorough would be an understatement of the year. To say that it was thoughtfully constructed to accommodate safety, integrity and budget would be my understatement for this century. He took great care and no small amount of time going over each item, helping me to finalize that work authorization. I was shocked to hear that it would be done by the end of the week, given our conversation took place on Tuesday and the list wasn't just an oil change. *chuckle*
When work urgently took me out of area for several days and delayed communication from my end, Damian was more understanding and sympathetic than any other service provider I've known.
On retrieving my car from the garage, Damian again took great care and attention in going over the invoice with me. We discussed what remained to be done, and within what time window. His care for the vehicle is extraordinary, and second only to his obvious care for his clientele.
In an era and geography where dismal expectations are often met, Gertie's Garage stands as a real beacon of old-fashioned integrity, craft and care. I do not believe he and the team at Gertie's Garage could be over-enthusiastically recommended.
Put simply: They are rock stars.