Meineke They overcharged for a simple repair Westmont Illinois
I took my wife's 1997 Toyota Corolla into Meineke Car Care Center in Westmont to have them replace the starter on the car. The cost of the starter, based on the invoice was $223.75. I felt that price was extremely high since a new starter from a auto parts store was $140 without them taking the old one. I contacted three other car repair places and the most they would charge for a new starter was $150.
I wrote Meineke and they indicated that this was a franchsee and that they can not control the cost he charges. They also told me a story that if I went to a steak house, I pay more than if I buy the steak at a store and cook it myself.
This guy ripped me off and Meineke is not willing to stand behind their name.
Ric
Darien, Illinois
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Lv
EAGLEVILLE,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
No Rip off here - just plain facts
#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, October 03, 2008
Ric,
I think you are having a problem with the realization that Meineke Car Care Centers are in business to make a profit. I've checked the suggested retail price at three of my suppliers and a rebuilt started for you vehicle is between $200 and $230 in my area. There is no way this shop was trying to rip you off. You didn't mention the labor charge or diagnostic fee. The analogy they gave you is a good one. You could go to the supermarket and buy a steak for half of what a restaurant charges, yet I'm sure you aren't writing a rip off report about them. How about a contractor quoting a price for materials that you can buy at Home Depot for roughly half of what he is charging you? Are you writing a rip off report about him? Some consumers are under the impression auto repair should be performed at a cost equivalent to what you can do it yourself for. WRONG. If you can price out the parts at AutoZone - Pep Boys etc and get them cheaper and install them yourself, than do it. Also be sure you have all the tools and diagnostic equipment you need to do the job. No auto repair shop will cater to a do it yourselfer. Remember the investment this shop has made in its business so it can serve you as cost effectively as possible. It's America, if you don't like the price, go somewhere else where it's more affordable to you. By all means, don't claim a shop is a rip off because you can buy it somewhere else cheaper. If I did that I could fill this server with complaints about the cost differences between Walmart Sears Best Buy, well, I guess you get the point.