- Report: #254420
Complaint Review: Meineke Car Car Center - Raleigh North Carolina
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Meineke Car Car Center
3421 West Millbrook Road Raleigh, 27612 North Carolina, U.S.A.
Phone:
919-785-0078
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Meineke Car Car Center Dishonest, overcharging, not needed extensive repair ripoff Raleigh North Carolina
*Author of original report: Meineke Car Care Center-Raleigh, Apex, North Carolina---Always ask to see old parts being replaced. Watch them take them off your car is you have too!
*Consumer Comment: I had the same experience with Meineke Car Care In Snellville GA
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: You only hear the bad stuff
On June 12th, 2007 I took my car to Meineke car care center on Millbrook Ave in Raleigh, NC. I needed work done on my brakes and since I had my brakes done previously by the same company with a lifetime warranty, I figured I would take it back to them.
A little bit of history. the first time I took my car to Meineke in Apex, NC they charged me $520 for a brake job. (Replacing rear wheel cylinders, rotors, flushing brake lines, new pads) I thought that was ridiculous but I didn't have a choice, I okayed the work. That was in November of '04.
So here I am, 2.5 yrs later, with the same problems they fixed in '04?? They told me I needed my rear wheel cylinders to be replaced, new rotors, new pads& my calipers to be replaced. which they wanted to charge $156 / caliper. I can buy those at Auto zone for $63 myself! The total estimate for my brake job ended up being $692. WHAT?!
I took my car to another TRUSTED mechanic today (Thursday the 14th) and he told me that the only work needed to be done were the pads and rotors to be replaced estimated price $500 less than what Meineke wanted to charge me! He said there was nothing wrong with the calipers, nothing wrong with the rear wheel cylinders. strange.
I would advise future customers of Meineke to always get a second opinion.
Andrea
Raleigh, North Carolina
U.S.A.
A little bit of history. the first time I took my car to Meineke in Apex, NC they charged me $520 for a brake job. (Replacing rear wheel cylinders, rotors, flushing brake lines, new pads) I thought that was ridiculous but I didn't have a choice, I okayed the work. That was in November of '04.
So here I am, 2.5 yrs later, with the same problems they fixed in '04?? They told me I needed my rear wheel cylinders to be replaced, new rotors, new pads& my calipers to be replaced. which they wanted to charge $156 / caliper. I can buy those at Auto zone for $63 myself! The total estimate for my brake job ended up being $692. WHAT?!
I took my car to another TRUSTED mechanic today (Thursday the 14th) and he told me that the only work needed to be done were the pads and rotors to be replaced estimated price $500 less than what Meineke wanted to charge me! He said there was nothing wrong with the calipers, nothing wrong with the rear wheel cylinders. strange.
I would advise future customers of Meineke to always get a second opinion.
Andrea
Raleigh, North Carolina
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Daralyn
Freeport,Maine,
U.S.A.
You only hear the bad stuff
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, July 12, 2008
There are good Meinekes and bad ones. Just like there are bad (Fill in ANY service provider or product manufacturer) nationwide who will or will not represent their products with integrity. I managed the largest Meineke in Maine for 12 years. I loved my job and treated the place like a small town local garage. I had competent qualified help and treated all of my customers well. When people asked me why they should do business with me, I would often just say that they should have a seat and see what happens. EVERYONE who was a new customer got a quick tour of the facility. My boss hated me doing this but it promoted trust. EVERYONE was introduced to the technician who would diagnose or work on their vehicle. My boss said it took time but greatly improved my 'sell' ratio. EVERYONE got the 'guided tour' at our shop and we explained pretty thoroughly what happened, why and what the options were if any. Boss also didn't always like me doing that but it involved the customer in the process. Didn't matter whether it was brakes, struts or whatever; when the total approached significant digits, it really wasn't my money or decision. Customers got to see what new parts looked like compared to their old and worn ones. EVERYONE was entitled, not only to a written estimate but, to a second opinion. I actually encouraged it. I already knew that I wasn't taking any-one's money frivolously and the deal was good. . If you are being treated badly by ANY garage you have the option of discontinuing the transaction/relationship. No one paying hundreds of dollars should take that and if you do, shame on you. Our BEST advertising was word of mouth. There were times when, again to the chagrin of my boss, I actually advocated NOT spending the money to fix the car. HONESTY and INTEGRITY will always do well for you. If your gut tells you the representative is being honest; not just appearing honest; go for it. But always remember: Caveat Emptor - Let the buyer beware.
Mick
Dacula,Georgia,
U.S.A.
I had the same experience with Meineke Car Care In Snellville GA
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, July 08, 2007
I paid $1100.00 for parts and services that I didn't need. And, to add insult to injury, I was told by another mechanic at PEP Boys that 3/4 ths of the work Meineke said they did---they didn't do!!! The car sits abandoned in my driveway to this day!! Warning****don't take your car to Meineke anytime ---anywhere Mick
Andrea
Raleigh,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Meineke Car Care Center-Raleigh, Apex, North Carolina---Always ask to see old parts being replaced. Watch them take them off your car is you have too!
#4Author of original report
Fri, June 15, 2007
Yesterday I picked up my car at my TRUSTED mechanic's shop. He had my rotors out for me to look at them. Now in 2004 I paid Meineke to REPLACE my original factory rotors. GUESS WHAT......the rotors that were taken off my car were the ORIGINAL FACTORY ROTORS. I bought my car in 2002 and the rotors were so warped and worn down. They were never changed. I paid for them though....all $520 of it! All Randy (Meineke in Apex, NC) did was turn my rotors! How fair is that? This is the most crooked business that I have ever delt with. I not recommend that people DO NOT USE MEINEKE CAR CARE CENTER AT ALL!
