When I received an email from the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota in January stating that "Top Gun Auto Detail Misses the Mark," it was one of those rare examples where I have had personal experience with the company.

The BBB sent out a press release on Jan. 21 that the detailer with locations in Minneapolis and Burnsville has a pattern of complaints (28 complaints in the last 3 years). Customers reported broken or damaged equipment, dirty and streaked windows, soaking wet car seats and floors after servicing, and long delays to make an appointment.

I have used Top Gun's Minneapolis location three times in the past several years and can confirm some consumers' complaints--delays of several days or more before the appointment taker returns a voice message to set up a day/time for the detail and seats and carpeting that were not adequately dried. But I also think Top Gun's price on Groupon or Living Social ($39 for interior cleaning and $87 for interior and exterior detailing) is one of the lowest in the Twin Cities. I think the people who complain on Yelp or Google that Top Gun's waiting room is a dump ought to consider paying more at the Downtowner in St. Paul, Dan's Nicollet in Minneapolis, or Paradise (8 Twin Cities' locations). You'll pay $95 to $120 at those places for an interior detail that also includes an exterior wash (Top Gun's interior detail does not).

Considering the problems that others have experienced at Top Gun, a consumer who takes fastidious care of a car may not want to take a chance. My ride is 12 years old without a spec of rust, but it easily survived the wet seats and carpet without any lasting damage. I've been happy w/ the service, but I would never pay $150 or more for a detail so I can't compare that..

The BBB has changed Top Gun's rating from an "F" to "no rating" after owner Jo Jo Krause responded to all the open complaints. "The company has been quite responsive since the press release was issued," said BBB spokesman Dan Hendrickson.

Krause said his company expanded too quickly and was taking on too many customers. "We were doing 12-15 cars a day when we should only be doing six at each location, " he said. He's also added another phone line to take calls and shortened the wait time to get a vehicle in from two and half weeks to one week or less.

And the wet upholstery? "We went to a better system that takes a little more elbow grease but uses less water," Krause said.

Top Gun is still running specials on Living Social for $39 to $99 and will continue to do so until the late winter rush subsides. Then his prices will rise to $89 instead of $39 for an interior detail.

And if you wanted proof that the owner takes bad online reviews seriously, Krause is also remodeling the waiting room at both locations.