RICK STROUD AUTO SERVICE INC. at 5827 59th Avenue North, Saint Petersburg, Florida.

I went here because several people suggested it as a very thorough and honest company. My old truck was leaking radiator fluid and they said it was the harmonic balancer and the water pump. $800 something to fix. I shopped around, almost everywhere was about $100 cheaper but I went with Rick Stroud's since I figured I'd pay more for a better job.

A week later radiator fluid pouring out again. This time hose and radiator replacements, $300 something. I figured hey maybe they just missed it on the first pass, though I would have preferred if they had just suggested replacing these parts so I wouldn't miss work appointments getting it towed in again.

Three days later radiator fluid spraying out everywhere. I brought it back in and they say its a leak in the intake manifold and will likely be another $450-500. At this point I'm considering scrapping the truck and cutting my losses, but instead get it towed to another mechanic. Sure enough it was nothing to do with the Manifold, it was a leak from one of the hoses, $100 to fix there.

I don't think that this place is intentionally trying to cheat anyone, but they are so big and busy that they are not thorough and for the extra cost you should be really getting better work, not worse at a place like this. Just disappointing.

I am giving 2 stars instead of 1 simply assuming that my experiences there were an aberration and that maybe other people get better quality work.