Rainer Inc. in Adelphi MD is now called Auto Boys - Rainer retired after a lot of years of good service to the community. I wish I could say his successors are doing a good job but I honestly don't think I can.
Yesterday I took my 91 Jetta in for a tuneup and oil change. They didn't do the valve cover gasket like they always used to, but the new service guy there did note that the alternator was a bit noisy. I asked him if it was serious enough to fix now and he said it would probably be okay.
It was late and I really didn't want to leave the car overnight so I believed him. BIG Mistake. On the way home the battery light goes on, steady. When I got the car home and popped the hood I noticed that the alternator belt had been disconnected - gone. It could have come loose on the drive home but somehow I doubt it because I would have heard something if it had.
This is either a case of negligence or a deliberate attempt to rip me off, and I'm inclined to believe the latter. It goes without saying that these people will never get my business again.
(BIG Mistake #2 - I paid in cash.)
gbk/ubp