Why do some Shops Fake Doing Quotes?

[KCarGuy]

I dont understand why some shops...Big and Small...write up a quote for service, and Yet, Never really even looked at your Car?

My Son was on his way home from work and called me, saying that his brakes feel "Soft" and his Brake light is on.
I had him stop at a station and fill his fluid up.
That got him home, but brakes were still soft.
The next morning, he went to Midas, which is close to his house.
It allowed him to drop it off for an estimate and he was able to walk home.

Later they called him to let him know that he needed $838 worth of work.
(Now, we just did his brakes in the Spring)

So, I picked him up later that day and went over there to check out this $838 Service Quote.
They said his Master Brake Cylinder was Bad.
Both Rear Wheel Cylinders were bad (the Left rear was leaking)
And that he needed pads and drums in the rear (due to saturation of brake fluid)

So, when I questioned both sides...they made up some store policy ********!

I brought the Van (1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager) to my House.
None of the insides of the Rims were Wet.
I tore the Left Rear Brakes apart and it was Dry (rusty and dirty), but Dry.
I replaced the Master Cylinder (just In case)
Filled the Fluid up and Pumped up the Brakes...
Heard a Hiss and spit...Saw the Fluid leaking from the Proportioning Valve mounted in front of the left shock, next to the Gas Tank.
(I hear that they can freeze and leak...we just finished -18 degree weather)

Trick was cracking the Fittings loose without twisting up the Brake lines.
But, I was able to get that changed. And Bleed the Brakes...Done!

A $40 part, that was All.

Those Asses at St. Charles Midas never even looked at the Van and Made up an Inflated Quote for service...Hell, They never even charged my son for an Inpection Fee!

What a Rip Off Shop!!!

 

[rsanter]

Contact Midas corporate and tell them

Bob

 

[KCarGuy]

Yes rsanter,
I sent an Email to Midas and told them about this situation.
Plus...about 10 years ago the same shop worked on my Daughters VW Fox that she had at the time.
and on the way home after leaving Midas, her hood flew up and caused damage.
I took it back and argued with them about the fact that they were resposible for the repairs.
They finally got everything fixed.

 

[4xdog]

...about 10 years ago the same shop worked on my Daughters VW Fox...

There's no education in the second kick from a mule. (smile)

 

[KCarGuy]

Yeah, 4xdog....they really dont have a good track record with us.

screw me once...Shame on you!
screw me twice...Shame on Me!

 

[nicksnothereman]

I dont understand why some shops...Big and Small...write up a quote for service, and Yet, Never really even looked at your Car?

My Son was on his way home from work and called me, saying that his brakes feel "Soft" and his Brake light is on.
I had him stop at a station and fill his fluid up.
That got him home, but brakes were still soft.
The next morning, he went to Midas, which is close to his house.
It allowed him to drop it off for an estimate and he was able to walk home.

Later they called him to let him know that he needed $838 worth of work.
(Now, we just did his brakes in the Spring)

So, I picked him up later that day and went over there to check out this $838 Service Quote.
They said his Master Brake Cylinder was Bad.
Both Rear Wheel Cylinders were bad (the Left rear was leaking)
And that he needed pads and drums in the rear (due to saturation of brake fluid)

So, when I questioned both sides...they made up some store policy ********!

I brought the Van (1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager) to my House.
None of the insides of the Rims were Wet.
I tore the Left Rear Brakes apart and it was Dry (rusty and dirty), but Dry.
I replaced the Master Cylinder (just In case)
Filled the Fluid up and Pumped up the Brakes...
Heard a Hiss and spit...Saw the Fluid leaking from the Proportioning Valve mounted in front of the left shock, next to the Gas Tank.
(I hear that they can freeze and leak...we just finished -18 degree weather)

Trick was cracking the Fittings loose without twisting up the Brake lines.
But, I was able to get that changed. And Bleed the Brakes...Done!

A $40 part, that was All.

Those Asses at St. Charles Midas never even looked at the Van and Made up an Inflated Quote for service...Hell, They never even charged my son for an Inpection Fee!

What a Rip Off Shop!!!

They probably were just planning on replacing a whole bunch of stuff because they couldn't figure out what was actually wrong. That's why you really shouldn't take a car to a chain joint.

On a side note...15 year old chrysler is probably gonna have a bunch of issues like this. Don't see a lot of them on the road (regardless of model). Gotta keep up on the preventative maintenance if you want to keep it on the road. Just saying.

 

[snappytom]

Midas shops (and most chain stores) are a crapshoot .....
Years ago before I knew any better I got schnookered by one (Lisle IL) and have been telling people to avoid it ever since.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Wheaton IL shop has always been very good.
Now I do everything myself or go to an independent shop that I trust if the job is beyond my capabilities.

 

[lisiecki1]

Definitely a shop dependent situation.

When my dad was running a Midas (one of 6 that this particular lady owned), his shop consistently outperformed the other 5 and had no complaints in 6 years.

To their credit, the entire team was stellar; I'm just saying that they had great leadership.

I have noticed in the last few years that most chain stores these days, are filled with people who don't give a ****. Kids just looking for a paycheck, or the opportunity to drive someone's car that they could never afford, in a way that the owner of the car never would. Just a general lack of pride everywhere you look.

I remember when tire shops would go the extra mile to measure your car for custom fit wheels. Not anymore, at least not at the ones local to me.

 

[purplezr2]

I worked at Jiffy Lube for two weeks in college, they were more concerned with my ability to upsell vs actually mechanical ability. When I indicated what kind of work I had done in past(was a mechanic for a golf course), the manager said "well you have more hands on experience then myself and I was the most experienced of the group here thats why they made me manager" He went on to indicate that they didn't care if I knew how to turn a wrench I need to be able to sell premium oil changes, air filters, and cabin filters. Along with flushes.

 

[KCarGuy]

Yes, I always do all the PM and Service on my Kids and Wifes Cars.
Not too uncommon to get 200K on a Vehicle around here.
If a Timing Belt is due on one of their Rides, they pick it up and call me to schedule time to change it. Etc.
My Sons Van, although a 1998, Runs great and is very reliable with 114K miles on it.

I did send an email to Corporate, they responded to it and sent it off to the St Charles Shop.
Corporate asked to give St Charles 2 days to repond, and If I do not hear from them, to call Corporate.

It is Real World that some places are not out to Keep Customers...But to take the One Timers for as Much as Possible. Must be the Business Plan that they Like.

I have worked for a Company that wants our customers Long term, so we treat them right, help out were we can and I have some customers for 22 years now.
"Old School"...I guess.

I am really Really glad that my Garage is well Insulated and Heated.
Or I also would fall prey to these Crooks on these Extreemly Cold Winter Days.
Anyway...Be Careful out there!