Pep Boys Pep Boys charged us for 2 hours of labor when no one was working on our vehicle Tucson, Arizona
Pep Boys gave us an estimate on an air conditioning repair. The estimated hours were 4 and 1/2. However, the mechanic was able to finish the job in 2 and 1/2 hours. Although the job was completed well below the estimated time, we were charged the 4 and 1/2 hours.
When my husband received the estimate, he was not informed that we would be charged 4 and 1/2 hours of labor no matter how long the job actually took. Pep Boys insists that using the Mitchell guide for labor estimates is legal. The manager also stated that if the job had taken 7 hours to complete, we would have only been charged the 4 and 1/2 hours. I find that hard to believe.
In addition to this, when I told the cashier at the store that we would not be coming back to the store for service and that I would notify everyone I knew to not go to Pep Boys for service, he said, "That's Fine".
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Ramjet
Somewhere,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Very common
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, April 27, 2012
Flat rate manuals have been around for decades, they're nothing new. This way everyone pays the same for the same job.
If it was strictly time and material you would pay varying amounts depending on who did the job. Would you be willing to pay if a new guy took 10 hours? If you give it a little thought, it's a very fair way of charging.
Bubba Lee
REd Deer,Alberta,
Canada
LEGAL FLAT RATE REPAIRS
#4General Comment
Fri, April 27, 2012
This is legal if the policy is posted and is written on the estimate.
It is also BETTER for the automobile owner in the long run.
The concept works as follows:
The technician gets paid according to a set, verifiable guide that every one has access to. Ask PEP boys to show you. They will.
If the tech makes an error (called a come back) he does not get paid more or again. This assures (In theory) the tech makes a living wage and is motivated to do the job correctly. The tech can also beat the "Flat Rate Time" and make more money.
By the way the Mitchell manual is the most popular and fair manual (in my opinion) available. You agreed to the estimate and they repaired it quicker and go you down the road sooner than expected you should be grateful. Most repair shops use AC repairs as an excuse to over charge, find additional things to repair and so on.
I think you got treated fairly and in an upfront manner.
I wouldn't care if you never came back either.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Book Times
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, April 27, 2012
First off keep in mind that I do not work for Pep Boys or any mechanic. In fact I would also not personally take my car to Pep Boys for any service.
However, using various time guides(I believe that are about 2-3 major ones) for estimates is standard and while you don't really believe it if the job did in fact take 7 hours you would have still only been charged what your estimate was. It is not a RipOff because they quoted you an amount for the repair and it was approved.
As for the cashier, exactly what did you want a person who is probably not getting paid much more than minimum wage to say? Did you want them to bow down to you and beg you to stay a customer?
Now I am going to really blow your mind and give you something to think about for your next RipOff Report. Look at the price he was actually charged for the part, then look around at various auto supply stores where you could go and buy the part on your own...We happily await your next rant.