A-1 AUTO SERVICE in
Salida (CO)

I so appreciate the team at A-1 Auto for getting us back on the road. Chandra's care and compassion was much appreciated. Chris even gave me the "$32 nail" as a souvenir of my time in Salida. Even though I was a visitor, I was treated like a local. I how you don't run over a nail like I did, but if you do, don't hesitate to reach out to A-1 Auto.

I needed an AC line replaced / AC line recharge on my vehicle, and this place was recommended - which I do not. Ultimately this required at least 4 visits (2 hour round trip each time). Some of this was incorrect parts (my issue) but the remainder lies on this shop. One example was an instance when I had scheduled an appt for 1PM to allow time for the full repair required but upon arrival was informed it was somehow now 3PM and that wouldn't be 'enough time' to effect the full repair and so I simply had to return home. Another example was upon repair completion I was charged 2x for the removal and replacement of the AC line. So on the first visit they removed the line, determined it was the wrong part, and reinstalled the broken line (which they charged me $150 for) stating they put the car back in the condition it was received. Yet on the 2nd or 3rd visit they removed the line, determined the part was again an incorrect one, but *didn't* reinstall the line this time but simply plugged the ports (which is what they could / should have done the first visit). Then on the last visit they replaced the line and then charged me again ($170 this time, so that's inflation in two months I guess). A final example was part of the issue of finding the parts was that the shop continually was unable to locate the correct one, so I was also having to search and source what appeared to be the correct parts online/in scrap yards, ultimately having to pay an additional $240 to a local welding shop to repair the OEM line instead (this on top of the $686 the shop charged me for the line replacement and recharge). Rarely am I having to track down my own parts for a repair shop to try to effect a repair in a timely fashion.

The women running this place are awesome! I got a flat and needed a tire plugged on Labor Day. A1 was the only place that offered to help. I had my Coonhound with me, and they showered her with affection (and treats) while we waited for the tire to get plugged. The service was prompt, staff was kind, and quality of repair was high.

Special thanks to Chandra and of course, the man who came out to change our tire….sorry I forgot his name he was very courteous, professional and kind. They were very explanatory, And I answered all their questions(Do we have a spare? And do we have the correct equipment to bring the spare down off the truck? Where exactly were we.. mile marker …). Definitely recommend

Wish I could do no stars. They want to charge a daily fee even tho we can't pick up our car because they don't have the staff. Yet they still want to charge a daily fee. We would come pick up our car right now if we could to stop the fees but they won't let us because they don't have the staff until Monday which means 80 more dollars they are forcing us to wait and pay. They said our car was in the roadway. It was not and I have pictures from when we left it. This is not fair and complete trash of a local company taking advantage of locals hurt by this snowstorm. Update: after speaking with state patrol they were forced to release my vehicle but not without taking us to cleaners on fees. Based on reviews its looks like their towing dept. Js the problem. But for a small town business, they sure don't care about the people that care about them. I don't know how they sleep at night. 717.00 for being stuck. They said it took 2 hrs to get the car loaded which can't be true (we have a close friend watched them do it and let us know our vehicle was picked up). This is as close as you get to scam artists in town like this. I hope the karma they deserve comes back. Update: they also denied our AAA tow then went and picked up and charged the most ridiculous amount for retrieving it. Please don't ever use this company. They dint follow transporting rules and are just about taking as much money as possible. For a small town this type of company really sticks out. Wish I were warned.

Thank you for taking such great care of my Mom and Dad when you serviced their vehicle! You made it easy from start to finish ... we can't tell you how much that was appreciated!

AMAZING people who always takes care of their customers! Friendly, personable customer service, that goes above and beyond expectations. For those who complain that they don’t take care of “simple fixes”, if the fixes are so simple, I suggest you fix your problem yourself and be nice.

I wish I could give this place a zero star. What a horrible attitude!!!! I always have great experience at small-town shops but this owner was rude. I needed a quick oil change and owner of this repair shop said the soonest he could do it is in two weeks. Two weeks for an oil change????? No explanation or reasons were given, which gave me the idea that he just didn’t want my business. It’s a freaking oil change.

I always get gas here! They are so friendly and actually talk with you! I had to call for a tow recently to get me out of a drift and they were swamped with people in the same situation, but got to me very quickly and I got to work on time. Thanks so much!

Came here 20 minutes before closing on a Saturday. I had a tire that needed a simple repair for a leak. We were getting ready to drive 11 hours and really needed the fix. I arrive before closing and I’m immediately told “no” for any service due to the time of day. Keep in mind, they’re all just sitting on their a** outside doing nothing. This lady then proceeds to tell me she isn’t paying her guy overtime to fix my tire. I offered to pay cash for his overtime and she just kept loudly saying “no, no”. Place was a joke. Never seen a business operated like this. I would stay far away from this place. Rude, unprofessional, and lazy. Beware!

Avoid at all cost, I called to make an appointment he acted too busy I wait the two weeks for a tire rotation and balance to be told when I come in it will 15-20 minutes past my appointment time which was the first appointment of the day Why make appointments if you can’t keep them. Won’t use neither should you if you value your time.

EVERYONE, PLEASE BEWARE! We were treated horribly by the OWNER of A-1 AUTO SERVICE! While visiting Salida, I hired this company for a tow and during the tow, my car was damaged by the owner (CHRIS COLLINS). He reassured me he had insurance that would cover the damage he did. He had me follow Him back to the business where I paid for my services. Then when I asked for his insurance card he quickly looked under the cabinet and said, “Oh, I guess you will have to call the shop back on Monday and ask the office lady to give it to you.” It felt “shady” but I want to believe the best in people; so, I called like he asked and THEY REFUSED to give me their insurance info! 😲When I got upset, the woman I spoke with (named CHANDRA) actually said, “Well, maybe you shouldn’t have gotten your car stuck!” I could not believe it. This was our 7th family vacation to Salida and we’ll never be back! COMMUNITY MEMBERS- PLEASE DO NOT refer tourists to this horrible company!

I love the competence and friendliness at A1 Auto. I've taken my vehicles there for many years. Chris, the owner, is fair and honest too. Best place to take a car in Salida!

My son was in a horrible accident driving from Louisiana to Utah. They towed his car and he was taken to the hospital. When he was released they were closed. We had family who were over 2 hours away pick him up. They came after closing so we wouldn't have to drive an extra 4 hours the next day to get his things. I can't thank Chandra enough.

Great service from the team at A1 Auto! I was in need of assistance after having my car break down while visiting. They were extremely helpful and easy to work with. 5/5 would recommend!

This was the only place open on Sunday morning to help repair a flat tire that I had (I had two flat tires overnight while I was out working my courier route). Jordan was the young man who fixed my tire and got me back on the road in just a little over a half an hour so I could make it to my next job. I would also like to mention that Georgia who cashiers/business office is a really hospitable person and I had a real nice time chit-chatting with her a bit while I waited. Good folks and there to help in a pinch. Thank you guys for helping me.

They take good care of my 1989 Toyota truck. I was quoted over $500 for repairs and when I picked it up, they had been able to fix it for less. I was shocked! I've never paid less than expected for repairs before and they could have chosen to lie to me about it.

On a road trip, my air pressure went off. The temperature definitely fell overnight and it is expected. But I had also driven a lot on dirt roads and had a long drive ahead. The store. Was open before time and he was really gracious and checked all tires. No potential flat and sent me on my way with best wishes for a safe drive back home. Thank you so much.

After careful thought, I will say this place is HORRIBLE!! They are proven liars. I went to pick up my car after an accident. The person I spoke to said he didn't know if they had my car. However, after paying over $350 dollars for a 2 mile tow, the person who towed my car and said he had no clue about my car, gave me my car. Are you kidding??? Do not trust them for any services. Their gas prices are the highest in Salida. They are rude, and lack integrity. Do not give them your business, they are not worth it!

My car got towed to them after a roll- over accident. After I was released from the hospital a couple days later they wanted $1,000 plus my title just to get my personal belongings out of the vehicle. Horrible service and even worse attitudes.

If you don't want your vehicle mistreated, don't call this towing company. The guy was really unprofessional. No proper equipment to tow an all wheel drive vehicle, they ruined my front differential and also broke front bumper and grill brackets.

Kind and friendly service from Chris and the ladies. As out-of-towners, when we needed towing assistance they made things much easier with smiles and positivity. If you need to stop in Salida for fuel, choose A1 above the others. 👍

Me and my girlfriend took a special trip away from Denver to Salida the weekend of the 12 th Oct 2019. We drove to the hot springs at the Joyful Journey. I accidentally went into the hot tub with my keys in my pocket. My car is a 2009 and only operate with a fob key. It was quite the Dilemma for us being stranded 30 miles in the middle of nowhere with no vehicle. Called A-1 towing. Our driver got there and could not operate my car to put it into neutral and had to drag it onto the tow truck. Knowing that we had a room booked at the Palace Hotel I just wanted dropped off close. The driver ended up dropping it off at the Ford dealership. This is where things go bad. The driver and his office manager both refuse to drop us off at our hotel room which is only about a mile and a half away. We call a cab service a card he had but claimed not to know who they were. They were 30 minutes out so we ended up putting your bags over our shoulders and walking after dark in the cold back to our hotel room. Our fare was $300. Being a small business owner myself and taking pride in customer service I just cannot imagine knowing the aweful situation we were facing tgat he refused dropping us off at our hotel . I would not recommend this tow company to my friends or future stranded getaway couples! Look for another tow company please!

My friend and I had a flat tire and other damage to the bumper on our way from Denver to Telluride. We called ahead and drove the car over to see if A-1 could help. They called around looking for a spare tire for us and secured one, rotated our tires, and put on the new one. They also secured our bumper so that we were able to continue on our way. Nothing but professionalism and incredibly nice people throughout the whole experience. We are really thankful for them and would highly recommend their services.

Car broke down and they towed me to Salida. Wouldn't tow me home because of the weather. I asked them to look at my car but no mechanic was on duty who could do it over the weekend. Regular business hours start and they called me and said they couldn't service my car. Better luck somewhere else.

My car broke down in Salida on a Saturday night. I was 3 hours from home traveling with my two young sons. I called roadside assistance through my insurance company and scheduled a tow between 6AM and 6:30AM the next morning. I was up at 5:15AM and waited from 6AM to 7AM; A-1 Auto just never showed up. My insurance company called A-1 again at 8:30 AM and they claimed they had “turned down” the call. A-1 is located about 10 minutes from where my car was. This made an already stressful situation so much worse. My insurance company then called Cloud City Towing, LLC and they came right away from Leadville (about 90 minutes away) and saved the day. A-1 Auto has a lot to learn about customer service. Disappointing.

Not really pleased that my car was taken here against my will after other drivers injured me on the Hwy and that I have to pay money before I get any settlement just to keep the bill from skyrocketing, but I am glad that they had some decency in making an arrangement with me to make it at least possible. It hurts and slows down my recovery process though to get hit with bills that I don't deserve.