Leif’s Auto Center

Took our family wagon to Leif’s for a minor bumper and headlight adjustment. Was told they would call us prior to beginning any repairs in order to get our confirmation to proceed with the repairs. Called to see about getting our car back and they told us that the bumper had been removed.
It is to my understanding that Leif’s violated ORS 646.608 under clause (m). Regardless of who asked for the bumper to come off, the owner of the vehicle was never contacted for them to gain authorization to begin dismantling the vehicle, which was necessary for them to conduct their business in a legal and professional manner.
Needless to say, this company will never see our business again.

Theft & poor customer service:
We had used Leif’s autobody four to five years ago & it had been a great experience. I used Leif’s again in April 2016 without hesitation or looking at reviews, & I’m sorry for that.
Making the appointment & check in was great… the rest of the customer service was not! I will explain.
We picked up a rental car & it was due back on a certain date as we (rental car company, insurance company, & I) were given a date on when the vehicle would be ready. Leif’s needed to extend the date, OK, no problem. Then they extended again, & again, & again… this is where problems came in. The insurance company started asking us why the vehicle wasn’t ready. The insurance company said Leif’s REFUSED to speak with them quoting, «That it’s our policy not to talk with insurance companies.». What? Leif’s autobody advertise that they talk with the insurance companies so we don’t have too. In addition, we started calling Leif’s, & we were told by Conrad (after two or three calls), «Don’t call us, we will call you when its done.». Still no calls. Meanwhile, this is costing the insurance company & my wife and I extra money with the rental car (we bought the rental insurance). Several more days pass & I finally received a call from Conrad; he stated the vehicle was ready, except they would not release it until they received the payment from the insurance company. Conrad used a baseball metaphor «We are in the seventh inning.» I was then informed that when they (Leif’s) receive the money they will let us know. Six days later we were able to get our vehicle. This cost my wife & I an extra $ 120.00, & the insurance company an extra $ 152.00.
Oh, I’m not done!
So, I pick up the vehicle, which I was told over the phone they needed to explain & walk me through the repairs… I was instead told, don’t run your vehicle through an automated car wash for two months, your paperwork showing what we did is in the vehicle… No walk around, nothing!
Oh, it gets better!
I get the vehicle home & my wife is going to take our grandson to the library, which has parking meters. She calls me from the library asking me if I had taken the quarters out of the vehicle. I told her, «No.». She said, $ 18.00 in quarters was missing,” & that she looked all over. She then advised that she had left the quarters, which were in rolls, in the vehicle when I had taken it to Leif’s. She asked that I call Leif’s, so I did. I spoke with Conrad. He stated, «We go through the vehicles & remove items of value, place them in bags & put them next to the vehicle. «items of value or safer outside the vehicle? Keep in mind, it’s the rear bumper being fixed, not anything in the cabin, except changing out the cabin air filter. Conrad said he would look into it & call me right back… That was May 2^nd, & the call, with the secretary, transfer, pick up time, & conversation was «56 seconds.». Well, here we are, May
15^th & no call back!
May 9^th I called to speak with a manager. I was told by a secretary that he is «Out to lunch.». She asked what I wanted to speak with him about; I told her the theft. She informed me he would call when he returned from lunch. Well, he’s still out to lunch seven days later.
On May 12^th I called again asking to speak with the manager. The secretary asked what it was regarding. I told her I wanted him to return my message. She asked who I was, I said you all ready have that because I had left a message on the 9^th. She stated he wouldn’t know who to call back without my name. I told her that he just needs to return the messages & he will get me. You guessed it, no call back.
What to do?
I could file a police report for unlawful entry into a motor vehicle & theft, but it will go nowhere, except waste police time. I can call the BBB & file a complaint. I can tell people about my experience, which I am, by this review, & my friends, coworkers, & family, which I am. In addition, by my work I have daily (four days a week) contact with crash & hit and run victims. I used to recommend Leif’s a few time a week based upon my experience four or five years ago, not anymore. I will stay professional, unlike Leif’s; I will not bash them; but their company name will no longer be used by me, unless somebody asks me directly about Leif’s, then I will be obligated to tell them the truth.
Leif, don’t put your cut & paste BS on this posting. Just consider the lack of professionalism on your companies side speak for itself.
If I didn’t sound clear in my review, unfortunately, I will never use Leif’s again, should the need arise.

Took our vehicle in the first week of January 2016. After deciding not to go with them due to their extreme overprice, we have now been trying to get our car out for two months. The customer service reps (Ben especially) are disrespectful, incompetent, and they threaten you and try to screw you out of your money. Ben is THE WORST person we have ever dealt with in customer service!!! Unsure if they’re running their own scam out of leif’s or the company is just that corrupt. We have been trying to get ahold of the owner, but the reps refuse to contact him. Once we tried Beaverton, they stated they emailed the owner but we still have not heard back in 4 weeks. They illegally hold your car and tack on as many expenses as they can. Do NOT ever go to Leif’s!!! Worst experience we’ve ever had. This place needs to be shut down due to fraud and false advertising!!!

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE
5 years ago, I had my car repaired by Lief’s and they did a good job in a reasonable amount of time. So I returned without doing any research. A branch fell on my car and cracked the windshield and a very small dent on the top of the fender. Then ensued one day short of a month of lies, delays, and shoddy workmanship. I could have had the windshield replaced in 3 hours and the dent repaired anywhere else in a few days at most. They claimed my car was stored inside repeatedly. I told numerous date stamped pictures of it outside in their lot where weeks passed with no sign of work on it. When they did finally complete my car, the work was so poor than there is no point in taking it back. The color was way off even though they made a big deal out of the color matching. (blue Prius — really?) It looks like patchwork with the bumper. The detailing was so bad that there was some kind of milky fluid in all the door jambs because they didn’t even bother to open the doors. Warranty? What’s the point? They took a month to do this. They are not capable of repairing it correctly. I had to have the car repaired at another place at my expense, being unable to wait another month so they could botch it again,
I attempted to get contact information for Lief Hanson, the owner and CEO. I was denied a phone number or mailing address by three of their branches. Their policy is that the owner is uncontactable. I wanted to tell him of my experience with the first and the current repair on my car. Apparently he is responsible for the paradigm shift at Lief’s.

This should be a negative star rating. We’re took my car in last February 2015 because the «Brake» light was flashing, at the time I didn’t know, but later found out what the real problem was, and spent an additional $ 800 to fix the real problem that apparently Leif’s didn’t know how to do.
First of all, RECORD EVERY CONVERSATION YOU HAVE WITH ANYONE FROM THAT COMPANY, because they will lie and manipulate the real truth to their benefit.
Here are my key points.
1. Explained that the brake light was flashing, and wanted it fixed, we said this about 3 – 4 times
2. They pull the car in, and come up with about $ 3000 worth of work and so they call you over the phone, and «RECORD» what they are stating need to be done with the vehicle so that THEY, have you verbally stating that you agree to the work.
3. After we agree to literally $ 3000 worth of work to the front end, and two weeks without the car, they call and say the car is ready
4. I pick up the car, excited as all heck, and drive about 3 miles down the road, and the brake light comes on, you know, the one that I brought the car in for to begin with, so I call.
5. I call only to hear, «It was never stated that you wanted that looked at» Which was the main reason for bringing the car in.
6. I deliver the car back to them, again.
7. After replacing sensors, on all tires, they can’t get it fixed.
So $ 3000 later and the original problem that I took the car in for to begin with, is STILL NOT WORKING.
Fast forward to November 2015, and I call because we have a radiator leak, and guess what was part of the $ 3000, yup, a brand new radiator. So I speak with Sales Rep Garrett, who tells me to bring it in, however, they don’t have any loaner cars, well, that was my only car, so I talked to him and let him know that as soon as I have a car available, I’ll bring the car in.
February, 2016, I bring my car in to get the warranty radiator replaced to have them tell me that three technicians state, «someone pushed on the radiator» UM, no one has worked on my car, what so ever, and no one has pushed on any hoses or anything.” Well guess what, I’m a liar and they are the truth, according to them.
You know there’s some pretty awesome apps for your phone that allow you to record conversations. BEFORE you call them WHAT SO EVER, get that app for your phone, let them know you are recording the conversation, and see if they squirm.
They are evil liars, and it must be fact since SO MANY have left negative reviews, and the idiots that manage their social media, obviously don’t give a crap about the customer, because they don’t even take the time to answer or respond.
DO NOT GO TO LEIF’S, RUN, DON’T WALK!!! THEIR SERVICE PERSONNEL LIE, THE TECHS LIE, AND THEY DO NOT DO ANYTHING THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO DO.
RECORD, RECORD, RECORD, RECORD EVERY CONVERSATION!
Oh, here’s the kicker, «on good will we’re are willing to split the cost with you to put in a new radiator» Are you EFFING KIDDING ME! Great, let me pay AGAIN for what should be under warranty because your company «states» that’s what happened, and REFUSE to have a conversation with Garrett about my call in November… ya because he knows I called, but since they only note and record what benefits THEM, why would my contact be recorded, I mean note the call? That’s just crazy talk, why would they run a company efficiently? They don’t.
OH, and I was assured that they have new management and they are now running the company better, BS, they are running it the same with fluff. As a matter of fact, after my treatment last year, I called and left multiple messages with the owner… guess who never called me back, because he doesn’t care… that’s who.
UPDATE!!! ²⁄₁₂
We received a call today from a coward from Leif’s who refused to identify themselves and stated, «We refusing to do the goodwill repair due to disrespect of their company and the car is put back together on north side of lot and the keys are in it, it’s unlocked» and he hung up on my wife. They left my car in the open, keys in it, unlocked… Idiots.
So my part is under warranty, yet they refuse service because I TOLD THE TRUTH. Bring it on. Formal complaint going out to the state of Oregon, BBB and whomever I can to get this company’s bad business practices noticed!
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, PAY MORE FOR A REPUTABLE COMPANY!

Horrible experience.

I don’t even know where to start with these people. This was one for the most unsatisfying experiences I’ve ever had with a local business. The most infuriating part about dealing with them was that literally everything they claim to do for their customers on their commercials was not followed through with by the person handling my situation. In fact I was told by more than one person over there that they in fact do NOT do these things that are boasted in their ads.
First off I was rear ended by a delivery van while parked. I took my car to Leifs because I’d heard the ads over and over on the radio. The ad where the man himself claims that they «fight for you» against insurance agencies to get you factory parts. They called me and told me that the insurance company did not want to give me a factory bumper (my car is two years old). This is where I thought he was going to tell me the part about how they are now going to fight for my rights because I deserve quality parts… JUST LIKE IN THE ADS!!! Instead he told me that I needed to call and ask if they would give me a factory bumper. That all they can do is «ask.» Some guarantee!
Next I get a call from the insurance company (not mine, the other party) a very nice man told me that he was not authorizing my rental car any more because no one at Leifs would call him back and tell him why it was taking 2 weeks. So now I’m out a car. When I called my guy at Leifs he told me that he doesn’t have time to sit on hold for 30 minutes with an insurance adjuster. are you kidding me? This is exactly what they claim they do in their ads!
I told my guy there that I have a direct line to the adjuster, that he will answer the phone if he just calls. He says absolutely not. To have the adjuster call HIM! But according to the adjuster they never take his calls. This is a mess. a total mess.
I had to go back and forth between the other insurance company and Leifs for 3 days over the Thanksgiving weekend paying for my OWN rental car at this point.
You know what is the most infuriating to me? I wasn’t ever going to write a bad review. I can’t stand people taking to the internet just to complain. But those damn ads! Mr. Leif himself is on those commercials flat out lying about his business model. I finally couldn’t take it anymore!
Tell your friends. This is a horrible company

This summer I was rear ended. Since someone else was paying for the repairs, I decided to try try Leif’s who said they specialized in insurance claims. Leif’s told me that they had insurance adjusters with desks in their office which made the process quicker and more efficient. That was the first lie.
Leif’s had my car for 6 weeks this summer. Basically ALL SUMMER! When they finally gave me my car back because I was going on vacation and I needed to be able to take bikes on my bike rack, they had only fixed the back bumper and totally blew off the front. I took pictures and the insurance adjustor (who did not have an desk at their office and basically travels to all the body shops) agreed that the front also needed to be fixed. I told her I would not go back to Leif’s and needed to take it to my usual guys at Ace Car Reconditioning. The repair required a new bumper which Ace had ordered, painted and installed in less than 48 hrs. I could have easily had my awesome car for the summer instead of a crappy rental if I just stuck with the good thing at Ace Car Reconditioning. I won’t make that mistake again.

If I could give no stars I would. My husband had a fender bender on x-​mas eve, we would have taken it to Carr but they didn’t have an opening until later in January. So we took it to Leif’s the Tuesday before New Years because they had an open bay. We were told it should take 1 – 3 weeks. It is now going on almost four weeks. At one point (week two) Leif’s couldn’t locate the bumper for my car and asked my husband to find it!!! They didn’t even find the bumper I had and they are putting on a different bumper. When we call to see what is going on we never get a call back, they say they will call back the next day they don’t, I called this morning in fact and have not heard back. We were quoted the labor would be around 15 hours, well if they only worked on my car for 1 hour a day it should be done by now. To me, it seems like they unscrew one bolt and call it a day. You would think they would want to hurry up and get the car fixed so they can house someone else’s car for a month or more. The last we heard was (week three), they couldn’t figure out how to place the bumper, um aren’t you guys a auto body shop? This is your job! Get the job done and let me have my car back!
I wish I would have waited to take my car to Carr. I would have at least had my car till I took it to them. I will never go to Leif’s again, and I am telling everyone my experience to save them the annoyance and wasted time.

Stay away from this shop! These people are dishonest as they come! I brought in my truck for a scrape on the bumper and was told 3 days to repair. When I called on the third day they told me that repairs hadn’t been started despite me having insurance authorization! Now my rental car is expired and my vehicle still isn’t fixed! These people are clearly fleecing the insurance companies! I’m glad I was able to get my car back, thought they certainly tried to hold it hostage for storage fees when it should’ve been fixed. STAY AWAY FROM THIS SHOP AT ALL COST!

This place is NOT in it for customer service, they charge a horrendous amount of money to fix my car. Shop around I will never bring my car here again.

This place is a joke. They have had my car for over a month and done nothing to it. They are not starting work on it so they can charge my insurance company more money in storage. They will hold off on doing work to your car for as long as they can so they can make as much money as possible. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR HERE. I also called and left a message on the customer service line 7 business days ago and have yet to get a call back. On the voicemail it says some on will call you back in 24 hours. Well they didn’t! I was told lie after lie about my car and what the damage is and when it will be fixed. The receptionist are rude and don’t know any of the policies so you are forced to call the Rep that is working with you. If you leave a message for the rep they might or might not call you back. I waited for a call back from my Rep for 3 days and still didn’t get to talk to him. I had to go into the Tigard location and waste my time because they are too incompetent to pick up a phone and call a customer back. This place is a joke and I will highly recommend you do not use them ever.
If I get a response from this I bet it will be Leif’s canned response.
We’re sorry your experience wasn’t what you expected. Most of our customers are very satisfied.
Leif’s Auto Collision Centers are Number One in the Northwest for the following reasons:
1. 97% customer satisfaction, serving over 40,000 customers a year throughout all our divisions. We’re not perfect, but we always fix our mistakes.
2. We are the most trusted auto repair facility in the Portland/​Northwest market.
3. We have the highest quality standards of any full service collision center in the Northwest.
4. Only body shop in the Northwest to hold insurance companies to pre-​loss repair standards for 25 years.
5. No hidden agreements with insurance companies to cut corners, use imitation or inferior parts in exchange for referrals.
6. CNN, DOJ, Consumer Reports, along with numerous other unimpeachable sources agree with what we have been saying for 25 years.
7. Largest independent body shop in the United States.
8. Our entire company has been built on reputation, trust, quality and customer referrals, not the Insurance Programs that force discounts, corner cutting and cheap imitation parts.
9. You never pay extra for a pre-​loss repair.
10. Leif, the owner, is hands on and works directly on the repairs with employees and customers.
11. Leif’s is a Manufacturer Certified auto body collision center.
12. Only full-​service facility in the Northwest providing — auto body, mechanical, maintenance, detail, accessories and customization.
13. Uses latest equipment, highest quality paint and materials, best trained techs, and technical bulletins and updates directly from manufactures.
14. Additional benefits including, Lifetime Warranty, Financing Assistance, Loaners, and Deductible Assistance.
15. Locally owned. Read less

I am still waiting for my car repair to be completed. Leif’s cannot give me an ETA. They have had my car for over 2 months!
Completely unacceptable. I cannot recommend them as they have no accountability it follow through on repairing my Lexus. Don’t believe the radio ads. I have to call multiple times a week and still do not get complete information on my vehicle and when it will be completed.

I have had a less than expected experience with this location. I was in an accident. The repairs were completed to my satisfaction. The entire rear body panels were replaced with «guaranteed» Ford replacement parts. However, a couple months later the bumper panel warped in two places. I called them to take it in and have it looked at. When I did that they didn’t have any answers as to why. They agreed to take it in at a later time and provide me a loaner car a couple of weeks later. I scheduled this time at my visit. A bit frustrated that they didn’t have one available when I was there because I have to make another trip to this location that is out of the way for me. So I show up at this place on the date agreed to drop off my car and get the loaner. Only to find out it’s been given to another customer. I was pissed. Apparently they called me a week prior to confirm this appointment and left me a voice mail. And because I didn’t call back the car was given to someone else. Then I emailed and called the service guy several times to get something else scheduled and he. He got back to me via email but it was a week or so later. Like everyone else I am a busy person who doesn’t have time to email and call and chase somebody down to get something resolved. I got so frustrated that I just gave up. Until a couple of months later… I called again. And I explained my experience and asked to speak to a manager. Hoping that I could finally get this resolved. Literally 5 minutes later my phone rings, and it’s this service manager that has failed to get back to me trying to cover his ass. I lost it. I called back and told them I don’t want to speak to him again. And I want to speak to his management. Still waiting… :-/​.
12−10−15 update:
Leifs your lame attempt to appease me or solve this problem is a JOKE!
Your F rating with the Better Business Bureau explains everything that’s wrong with your business. I have filed a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice. And provided details of my experience to local 12 News and the Oregonian.

I took my wife’s car in after a minor fender bender. After some weird conversations with the manager Mike, I took my $ 100 door molding I had to pre-​order (same available online for $ 55) and went elsewhere. I was first told I could be refunded for the part, then I was told I could return it with a restocking fee (I would accept this), but it went south when Mike was trying to sell me on his «goodwill» that they made me preorder the part and no returns. That’s not «goodwill», is a transaction. Not allowing a customer to return a simple part is bad customer service. Mike also made comments like, «It’s only a 100 bucks» and «It’s not even you’re money» (referring to $$ that was paid to us from the person that hit our car). I’ve ran a small business for 10+ years, the way I was treated was no way to keep customers.
Beware, as I was waiting in the lobby (30 mins), I noticed EVERY interaction with a scheduler included an upsell of either a service or a part or combination of both. The upsells ranged from $ 85-​$ 350. Some of the upsell pitches where horrible and painfully obvious.
I would be weary of any repairs outside your initial reason for visit and get a second opinion before doing any additional repairs/​services.
In the past, I’ve worked with a guy name «Patrick» and would have given them 4 stars. Pricing seems average and timeline for repairs was accurate. Given my customer service experience and loss of trust, Leif’s gets a 1 star and one less customer going forward. :-(

I’ve never been so disgusted by an auto shop in my life!
Leif’s in Tigard have absolutely the worst customer service ever.
They keep my car for three weeks, to fix the cracked bumper I got from an uninsured motorist and the starter, which went out a couple weeks later. They did mechanical and body work though, so I thought that would be a plus. However, they wouldn’t fix the starter first, to make my car drivable, until they fixed the bumper. Got a call Friday evening demanding my car be towed away, saying they wouldn’t fix my car because my insurance wouldn’t pay for them to repaint my entire car to match the bumper?! REALLY? I talked to my claim agent at my insurance company. That’s not even a reasonable request. I just need a bumper, not a paint job! Ugh! They just can’t make a few grand so they deemed my car not worth fixing. As for the starter? Never addressed. When asked about it today, they basically said they weren’t interested.
So I sit in the lobby now at Leif’s, waiting for a rep to accept my payment for the towing to get the car there so they release my car to yet another tow truck. It’s been 20 minutes. My blood is boiling.
So lesson for the day:
1. Avoid Leif’s Auto
2. Be thankful for towing insurance coverage
3. Thankful my rental car is only $ 10 a day
4. It only takes 1 hour to replace a starter, and E&N auto will do it today.
5. Going to Kedals Auto Body from now on to fix body work
Still waiting at Leif’s for them to take payment…

I just wanted to write a quick update that I took my car to Les Schwab last weekend, nearly a year since Leif pretty much told me I’m driving a death trap, and I was told once again that my brakes look great and they didn’t see the need to replace anything yet. So, Leif, you recommended I get a second opinion and I did… your move.

I’m following up my prior (long-​winded) comment with a short update. After having my car assessed by a diminished value expert, a few elements came up re: sloppy workmanship (visible bright yellow masking tape under my front grill that runs the length of the car), missing nuts and bolts, paint job not being graveled/​textured to match the rest of the protective paint, inexperienced oversight on issue that they told me was a transmission problem (it’s a wheel issue) and a few other things. I also am dismissive of Leif’s follow up to my post. It’s not the way to use Unilocal/​social media to manage customer issues. He cuts and pastes to every bad comment a list of «positive» factoids about his company. They’re not legit. And, he is not sincere.

My Mini Countryman was rear ended near them in Tigard, and I’d seen advertisements, so I gave them a shot. At first they seemed to be great, promised to fix everything quickly and professionally. I dropped the car off and then headed to pick up my rental car. Two weeks later went back to pick up my car and when I arrived they handed me the keys (in the evening after work). The next day I went to work and at lunch i saw the bumper in the sun for the first time, the color was spot on but the texture in the custom paint was 100x larger than the rest of the car (looked awful). I called Leifs and after an argument they agreed to fix it because it was completely wrong. I dropped off the car for the second time and they gave me a old beater (I brought a new car they gave me a car 15 years old), but they were fixing my car. A week later I went to pick up the car and the paint had been fixed (I thought great). But two weeks later the bumper start to hang and the body clips were all loose. I scheduled an appointment to have them look at it to get it fixed for the third time. When I arrived I met with a manager (I think his name was Brett), He called me anal and at that point I was done. I ended up paying the Mini dealer to correct the issues. I would not recommend them because they should be the anal ones (as they are a body shop). I feel the car should be fixed to per-​collision condition (weird huh).
There has to be a better shop around.

I can’t stress this enough, if you are in a car accident
DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR TO LEIFS.
State Farm and Farmers will not pay Leifs directly and if there is a discrepancy over the bill, you will be forced to pay this out of pocket. The customer service rep will tell you all the things that you want to hear. How easy they make the process, how they are on your side and will back you when it comes to dealing with the insurance company. They are lying to your face.
In my conversations with Leif’s I was told that an estimator from State Farm would be out next day to look at my car. Well that never happened and six days later my car still had not been looked at for an estimate. I confirmed with State Farm that they had been out to Leifs on multiple occasions only to be turned away. When I told them that I had had enough and to give me my car back they charged a $ 60 per day storage fee that I had to pay in cash. The contract I signed clearly states that I can pay with credit card for any bill up to $ 500. The refused to charge my card and I had to get a cashiers check. I was also refused the opportunity to speak with a manager and I was never given any return call as I requested.
Enterprise car rental who has a contract with Leif’s told me how horrible they are, my dealership that I leased my car from told me how horrible they are, friends who used to work in the insurance industry have now told me how horrible they are.
There is a reason that Unilocal has them at 2 stars and probably more importantly, the BBB has them rated D+.
STAY AWAY STAY AWAY STAY AWAY.