Dale Mabry Hitch

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Honest, knowledgeable and customer focused! I wanted to install a receiver hitch and a seven pin wiring harness on our 2016 MB GLC 300, knowing nothing about what that would entail. I called Dale Mabry Hitches and spoke to Jim. He gave me the basic information about the process, along with an estimate. He told me that if I wanted to proceed, I would need to bring the vehicle by so they could inspect it. My wife and I then drove to the shop in order to get this done. When I arrived I was greeted by Jim’s son Steve, who would actually be doing the installation. Steve was amazing! He was straightforward, refreshingly honest and extremely knowledgeable. More importantly, he explained things to me in laymen terms, so I knew exactly what the job would entail. He also took the time to show me, on the vehicle, what components needed to be removed and replaced for the installation. Since our vehicle was older, he was upfront with us about the chance that there could be some damage to parts during the removal process, no matter how careful it was done. I asked Steve what the final install would look like. He showed me in a video, and then on the vehicle. Unfortunately, due to the location of the receiver hitch, the harness would not be able to be mounted outside, next to the receiver, it would have to remain inside the vehicle. Those two drawbacks resulted in me deciding not to proceed with the installation.

This family run business has been serving the Tampa area since the 1960’s, and now I know why.

This is a business that puts the needs and satisfaction of the customer first, ahead of the dollar, which is unheard of these days. Steve could have easily “sold me” on the installation, and when it was done I would have been disappointed. Instead, he took the time to listen to what my expectations were, and then let me know that what I wanted, was not possible with the vehicle I had. I can’t thank them enough for the positive experience they gave me.

However, because of the way I was treated, Dale Mabry Hitches will be the only place I ever use for future hitch needs.

I would give them less than one star if it existed
These guys are Male Chauvinists to the max.
And contrary to their website, they arent the best reference on hitches, not even close. The owner, Jim, shared with me that he has 4 sons, and 3 are apparently not very responsible, but 1 is, and he works at the store. This son loves the sound of his own voice, and although he could not really find the appropriate hitch for my car (even after he spoke to the "engineering Dept" at the MFG Company), yet he refused to accept my feedback on which hitch I wanted to use.
After he ended up ordering the same hitch I had already told him about, more disrespectful treatment and a propensity for reorganizing the truth till it was barely recognizable, I decided not to do business with him, and moved on.
Also the shop is filled with odd collectibles, none the least of which is a bunch of scantily clad Barbie dolls, in some questionable poses.
I would say women in particular should stay away, but to be honest, my husband found these guys and their whole routine equally distasteful.

I discovered that the owner is not a "people person" when I was treated rudely at the desk, but I can excuse such things because it's Ok in my book not to be cheerful every day. Shoddy installation is another matter. I had to pay extra for the wiring harness and I expected that the wiring would be properly routed under the vehicle. The installer told me that my vehicle (2015 Subaru Forester) didn't allow for wiring underneath and that I would have to use the wiring from the trunk. I told him that I didn't like the idea of closing my hatch on the wiring harness. He shrugged and said “that’s just what you'll have to do". When I had time later, I looked in the trunk and within seconds was able to identify the rubber grommet that the wiring should have been passed through. It took me less than five minutes to run the wiring properly. They didn’t offer any discounts and weren’t particularly cheap, so I can’t recommend them after an install like this.