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Find or Refer a Contractor in Tyler

Freedom Automotive and Muffler of Tyler, Inc.

January 19th, 2010

Freedom Automotive & Muffler of Tyler, Inc. is located on Highway 64 West in Tyler, TX almost half-way between Loop 323 and the Tyler Pounds Airport. The company has been a Better Business Bureau Accredited business since April 20th, 2006. The Better Business Bureau has not processed a single negative complaint on this company in at least thirty-six months. 

Freedom Automotive in Tyler

Freedom Automotive in Tyler

 Their main focus and expertise is in muffler and exhaust installs and repairs, but they are capable of all automotive repair and installation.

I first went to Freedom Automotive & Muffler because I had close friends who recommended them to me as a mechanic shop that was honest and affordable. I’ve had several friends who have used them with good results. I will also be sending my close friends and family to them in the future for any type of car work.

The reason I needed a mechanic was that my car was having minor electrical problems. The lights would only go to high beams or off. I couldn’t very well drive around with no lights or only brights, but I didn’t want to pay for work on my high mileage car. I had been planning to sell my car and purchase another used car, but I had to leave for a family visit in New England for the Thanksgiving holiday. I went into Freedom Automotive and was met by the co-owner Mrs. Hayes. She was so incredibly helpful and considerate. She had the guys look at it and then made some calls to find the multi-switch that I needed. She called her different auto suppliers and found out that the part was not a normally stocked item and was therefore going to cost over two hundred dollars. The cool thing was that she cared that it was expensive to me. Even though she could do nothing about the cost, it earned my business.
I had to leave for a cross country road trip within less than a week, so I decided to get it fixed and try to sell it very quickly. I did some looking at used cars and had a potential, but I checked with Jep Hayes at Freedom Automotive. He was very helpful. I asked if the car would be worth keeping. He looked at my car and told me that it was a good car and would easily run another fifty thousand or more miles with a new timing belt. He said that he personally drove all of his cars into the ground, because it worked out to be cheaper. He also helped me see that when buying a used car you are buying the previous owner’s mistakes and something they are wanting to be rid of which may turn out to need tons of repairs.

I talked with my wife and we decided this was probably the best decision. So we had them install a timing belt and do a couple of other things. Then I paid another company a little to install new speakers, and the results were amazing. It was like we had a new car. Only we spent about three thousand dollars less than we would have and avoided debt. The car has been running great for a few months now. He even fixed an almost deafening squeal that had been “fixed” by other mechanics about seven or eight times. The car hasn’t squealed since.

This company earned my trust by being honest and helpful. They didn’t try to convince me to replace parts that didn’t need it. I went to them with the repairs I wanted done and they found the cheapest parts they could and did the work quicker than I could believe. Even though they had other vehicles they were working on, they took my pressing time need into account and finished the job early before my trip. I was more than pleased with their service and work ethic and even their friendly advice.

(903) 593-6637
Fax (903) 593-9028
11655 St Hwy 64 W
Tyler, TX 75704

Discovery Science Place

January 15th, 2010

Discovery Science Place

Hours M-S 9-5pm
Sun 1-5pm
Major holidays – closed

Our family love the Discovery Science Place (DSP) in Tyler!

There are 3 large rooms filled with different ‘hands on’ experiences for children and the effect is a stimulating and fun day out to absorb even the most hyper-active of children.

For the little ones, who love imaginative play – the room filled with different life experiences is a huge attraction. They can dress up and pretend to be a firefighter, pilot, mechanic, shop assistant, pizza chef, veterinarian, a nursery nurse or even a paramedic in a real ambulance! These exhibits are sponsored by local businesses and are changed and restocked frequently. The room next door has changing exhibits which target the older child and are very educational. Here they can see physical science in action with things like magnets, weather simulations and my children’s favorite – a bubble table where they could make enormous bubbles!

The main room has so many things to see and do that I can’t possibly list them all. There is a model mountain that you can climb inside and experience a simulated earthquake, a ship, a fossil dig, ball games, a light show and a skeleton to name but a few. There is a very small soft play area for toddlers and an aquarium and bee hive too. For the construction-minded there is a duplo table, other blocks, magnets and puzzles.

In the summer and during one week at Christmas, the DSP has ‘camps’ for kids where they conduct science experiments and create things to take home. You can also have your children’s party here. Home school co-ops would certainly benefit from a trip to the DSP.
There are 2 things that need to be noted about the DSP. Firstly, and rather disappointingly, there is no cafe. Perhaps that is intentional so that parents get involved with their children’s learning experiences rather than sitting and drinking a cup of coffee in peace while the children play, but a place to buy snacks would be great. There is however, a place provided where you can eat your own sack lunch and a lunch room for larger groups.

Secondly I would say that the DSP has a host of things to keep children under 8 amused on numerous visits but I really don’t think it is educational ‘for all ages‘ like the brochure implies. I hope that this museum develops and grows to meet the needs of the older child too.

The admission is currently $6 per person which is reasonable for small families but rather steep for families of more than 4. There are of course annual memberships which allow unlimited visits and discounts in the store – which is full of fun toys and activities for kids.
The Discovery Science Place is a great attraction for kids in Tyler.