Complaint Review: Pep Boys-Exton PA Location - Exton Pennsylvania

After paying over $1100.00 for a coolant system "repair", the next day, my entire air conditioning system fails. After a quote of $500+ to fix the system, it is discovered by a dealer, my air conditioning condeser has a gouge in it, like it was used as a leverage point for a crowbar! How Ironic, the radiator was replaced the day before, and guess where it sits? Yup, right in front of the air condtioning condensor!

Fast foward a month, on the way to work (thank god only 8 miles), Car temperature needle is pinned on the High mark-no water bubbling or signs of an overheat, just the needle. I turn on the heat, to drain away some hot air, and the air is cold! Advised by Pep Boys employees, car was towed to them for repair (since they did the work in the first place-hoses, thermostat, radiator, cooling system flush, radiator cap, EVERYTHING!)

I called 5 times for status, nothing found. After work, I go to pick up car, and I am told they "found nothing wrong, ran car for two hours)". I did some research, and found that an air bubble will do EXACTLY this, and I informed the people at service of this. All told, spoke to 4 people there!

I did get upset at this time, because I asked if any temperature gauge was placed in the car, while it was running, since the engine is aluminum, and the heads will warp if it gets too hot, or is ran without water. I was told no, they watched it. Okay, they watched it for two hours, doing nothing, didn't purge any air or anything????

Now, as livid as I was, they compound the issue by saying I owe them $49 for "diagnosis". First, I was never told in any of the conversations about this, 2nd-it is a "warranty repair"! How can they charge me to fix something that they replaced all of the componenets on?? Let alone, they never covered anything on my air condtioning system, which in all likelihood, during the radiator removal, they put the hole in the condenser!

I asked to speak with a service manager, he wasn't available until two days later! Asked to speak with store manager; not available-he went home.

When I resisted paying the diagnostic fee, I was told "don't worry about, I will cover it" from some dark-haired boy (who identified himself as a manager-I doubt that!"

With every intention of calling John, the Service manager, in two days (Friday, when he returned), I had my phone ring at work. It was John, calling to say that I had a balance of $42.00, how did I intend to pay, credit card?

I replied that I currently that I had no intention to pay, right now, hoping for a dialogue. Instead, John said "the next phone call you get will be the police, for theft of services". I immediately called customer care at corporate, to tell them the story, and also to call off John. I was given a case number of 9702, and told that the information would be handled. I stated several times, that I am not wrong, and would not pay, nor speak to John again.

My next call indeed, was an officer from the West Whiteland Police department, telling me that if I didn't pay this fee, I would be charged with theft of services, and arrested!

I just left the police station with my receipt, after stopping by Pep Boys-Johna didn't really speak to me, except to ask me not to bring my cars there again, like I would EVER consider this! Three of the four service counter people were there today, not one could even meet my eye or say anything!

They want to do shoddy work, overcharge, and call the police when they don't have a leg to stand on. Well, it shoud serve no suprise that I am PISSED now, and will do everything to make all of their lives, and Pepboys accountable!

Asside from this, on no less than three other times, have my vehicles had to be brought to the 2 dealer, Sears just to have shoddy work repeated.

Also, two weeks before, they said the same vehicle failed emissions, and performed way over the limit; so pay 89.00 to diagnose problem, plus parts and service.

I changed the air filter, and took out one plug, at random, and cleaned it, added 1 treatment of techron fuel cleaner, and "it's a miracle", the car passed a repeat test way UNDER the top emission levels-HMMMM. you do the math; I see it as another attempt to charge a "Diagnostic fee"!

I would seriously recommend NOT taking your vehicle to this Pepboys! Firestone has low prices, too; but much better service quality!

Brogan's Auto Repair is good too.

I also bring my vehicles exclusively to Scott Honda now; my Accord has never been misdiagnosed or had some service it never needed. My Acura gets the same great service and Parts, without the higher per-hour cost of the Acura dealership!

You may think this is "one person's opinion" and that is fine, but if you are on-the-fence, go elsewhere to get your car repaired. I am typically NOT a whiner, and I do know alot about cars, having built and maintened several high power V-8 classics. My car currently has over 230,000 miles, and EVERY mechanic that has looked at agrees that it runs like a top, and has many more years to it! I attribute that to taking care of the cars; best oils, filters and done according to maintenance schedule!

If you do go to Exton Pep Boys, I urge you to be cautious, diligent, and ask questions! Good Luck!

Nspatial

West Chester, Pennsylvania

U.S.A.

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