Jennifer
California,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, May 07, 2007
I doubt they have any better mechanics throughout the rest of the week. And what is the 14.99 for? To check out the vehicle? It sounds like it was for a service (like you said checking the fluids and such) I'm not sure how they would come up with 14.99 to check out the vehicle and write up an estimate. Sounds like your son authorized a service rather than inspection and estimate, or he just didn't understand them well enough when they told him what they were going to do, and for what price. Which isn't to say that they should have listened to his complaint more carefully and suggested some other service that would actually address the complaint, but he should have found out exactly what they were going to do...and how it was going to help his problem. People sometimes forget to ask that. It's important to know what they are going to do, but even more important to understand how that relates to your problem. Besides, places like Pep boys aren't worried about that kind of stuff, they just want to sell as many services as possible, even if you don't need them. It also seems odd to me that they would have a price ready for something like that. Must be because they are a chain shop and they have to price everything out for the people that work there and don't really know anything. That says something doesn't it? Anyhow, I am glad you have the situation all worked out now and you took it somewhere else, not relying on Pepboys alone, and I know you are probably just wanting to share your story with other people and not looking for suggestions, but I just have to make a suggestion. Your son, who probably hasn't been driving too long, and probably doesn't own his own vehicle, needs to know how to handle these situations. Luckly you were there to help him, but in other situations you may not be. If he is going to drive he needs to know how to take care of these problems. I would suggest introducing him to your regular mechanic so he will feel comfortable taking the vehicle in and talking with him if he ever has a problem. If your mechanic is good and askes alot of questions about the problem or complaint, then your son could learn alot about the things he needs to know, and things he needs to tell the mechanic, when bringing his vehicle in for service or repair in the future. Too many people learn to take their vehicle in to a quick lube or whatever for quick service. Then when they need more serious repair, they only know to go to a quick lube, or minor repair shop. As you know, these places are usually not able to handle these kinds of services. As you can see on this site, many of the complaints are made against these chain stores that tend to hire less experienced mechanics, or stores that have set prices on services, and are really not the best place to go for repairs, but they didn't know any better. Since you have a mechanic you trust, introduce your son to him.