Business ProfileforWashington Auto Carriage

We purchased a ****** snowplow from Washington Auto Carriage (WAC) and had returned there for routine maintenance over the years. In April 2023, we dropped off the snowplow pump at WAC for an overhaul. We anticipated a service time of a couple of months and so did not check in with WAC until June. Between mid-June and mid-August we received various reasons why no work had been done, finally getting the pump on August 29 (cost $1,301.13). WAC said they tested it and we trusted their work product so did not immediately test. When we reattached the pump to the plow on Nov 2, it didnt work and upon further investigation, determined there was little/no hydraulic fluid (so WAC could not have tested it). We added fluid, it still didnt work, called WAC and ended up returning it to WAC. WAC found an issue with the seals and o-rings, replaced those and said they tested it. We reassembled and the plow did move up and down but not side to side. Called WAC and they suggested replacing the hydraulic connections but did not have the parts. This drove us to find an alternate source (Source). We purchased the fittings, the plow still did not work and the Source offered to take a look at the pump. Upon inspection, they determined the hydraulic fluid had been contaminated (smelled liked a solvent) and had ruined all the seals. Our only deduction was when WAC completed the second repair, a solvent was used to clean but was not properly flushed, resulting in damaging the second set of seals. The Source flushed the pump, replaced the seals and it has worked! This cost us $439.55.The length of time for repairs, the apparent lack of attention to repair procedures, and the overall service level was unacceptable. It required multiple trips (105 miles roundtrip), numerous phone calls (numerous as most messages left were never returned), an additional $439 spent to get it fixed, and just general frustration in dis-assembly and assembly of the plow.