PEP BOYS, screwed by Manny, Moe, and Jack * UPDATE..Consumer Advise
After having a new battery installed (by a different company), the car wasn't getting fuel. One PepBoys (Cutler Ridge) installed a new fuel pump and filter - $283.00, including $68 for "Diagnostics", after being told that the problem was the fuel filter.
A week and a half later, the car stalled after refueling. Brought to PepBoys in Hollywood, I was again charged $68 for Diagnostics, and left the car overnight. The next morning; I gave approval for new plugs and wires (about $200, including the Diagnostics charge).
When I arrived to pick the car up (about 4:45 p.m.), I was told that it would start but not run. 3 modules, a module base, sensors, and a new "ECM" brain later, I paid $600 for repairs that left the car running rough - with no confidence that there wasn't something else wrong.
A week and a half later, the car is in my driveway. It won't start. It wants to, but is apparently not getting fuel. What's strange is that the air filter housing is flooded.
The Cutler Ridge PepBoys is too busy to repair it today, as is the other store in this area. Corporate personnel would only bounce the problem (and me) back to the particular stores in the area.
I honestly beleive that many of the parts replaced were not necessary, and/or the mechanics are not qualified to attempt these types of repairs. Personnel are deceptive, with attitudes surprisingly at odds with the hyperbole at PepBoys' website -- expousing their comittments to ethics and integrity. One should (cynically) approach their claims (and locations) with the reservations usually attributable to used car salesmen. Although my work should be covered by warranties - and I'm pretty-much linked to giving them a chance to "make things right"; I cannot regard them as 'trustworthy'.
They seem to have no respect, or caring, for the enormous amount of time that I've had to waste (as a consequence of trusting them), and the amount of money ($900) that I've spent to overcome my car's problems.
It's also ironic that my experiences seem to echo those of the PepBoys customer of Store #0504 in Coon Rapids MN!
1 Updates & Rebuttals
...call your credit card company and dispute the charge, and...
#20
Tue, January 23, 2001
PEP BOYS, screwed by Manny, Moe, and Jack (#4266)
This Consumer Advise was sent by Consumer Advocate RobertSokol@badbusinessbureau.com
CONSUMER ADVISE:
There are two schools of thought on automotive repair.
**One is to spend hours looking for the exact problem, and then solving that problem.
**The other is to make your best guess, and then start throwing new parts at the problem.
FOR EXAMPLE: If you battery keeps going down, they will replace
the battery. If that doesn't fix it, then the battery cables, then the alternator, etc. etc. The logic behind this method is that the parts replaced were already worn and probably would have needed to be replaced in the near future anyway. This method also allows the shop to hire less experienced technicians, and to save on expensive diagnostic equipment.
From your story, it appears they already threw everything at your car including the kitchen sink and still couldn't get it right. It's probably time that you call your credit card company and dispute the charge. Then take (or tow) your vehicle to the dealer. Have them diagnose and repair your vehicle. Let them know ahead of time what happened and to document exactly what they do. Present a copy of this bill to your credit card company and let them know that you do not intend to pay Pep Boys for
unnecessary repairs.
::::This Consumer Advise was sent by RobertSokol@badbusinessbureau.com
Robert is experienced in the auto industry for more than 25 years, and was a consumer advocate with "Fight Back with David Horowitz." Presently, Robert is a consumer reporter for a local Kansas TV station. Robert is dedicated to helping consumers, his advise is free. You may reach him by e-mail only after you have filed a Rip-off Report RobertSokol@badbusinessbureau.com
:::::IF YOU FEEL YOU'VE BEEN TOTALLY SCREWED by any company or person, wanting your money back for damages and more, and you would like to avoid the courts and THE lawyers, then go to www.RipoffRevenge.com. The creator of www.RipOffRevenge.com has a more radical approach to getting your money back and more.