Pep Boys

Over a year ago I went here for tires - attracted by the buy 3 get the 4th free. The manager at the time was so rude - I nearly left half way through the job. My hopes had been that I would buy tires where I could go for an oil change & get free rotation.

A little over a year later I returned to the same location, hoping the manager had been changed. I believe he had. The new guy, Tim said he was now the manager (though another guy was pictured on the sign). Tim said they brought him in due to complaints & he proudly said they were now the number one store in Colorado. I will say he was polite & accomodating - but in the end that really doesn't matter.

This time I went in for oil change. alignment & tire rotation (as there was some bad wear on the tires). They completed the oil change, but guess what "they found something else wrong."

They found a loose tie rod when they attempted the alignment. To their credit the INNER TIE ROD was loose. Here's the bad part - they said the inner & outer Tie Rods were loose, & the Idler Arm was loose (odd since it was recently replaced & the vehicle had not been in an accident). To top it off they said a new bracket assembly was required (what? - I'm assuming they mean the bracket assembly that connects the idler arm to the frame - there is never a reason to change that unless bent from an accident.)

I know a little about cars & suspensions & could smell a rat. Their estimate to fix the problem: $703.00 + alignment
($57.19 - Inner Tie Rod
$99.00 - Remove & Replace Idler Arm
$135 - Remove & Replace Tie Rod End - Inner
$173.16 - Idler Arm
$144.55 - Bracket assembly ???
The balance must have been shop fees/additional labor - as that didn't print out on the estimate they showed me on their computer screen.)

I left & took the vehicle to a reliable local mechanic. The only part bad & needing replacement was the Inner Tie Rod. My MECH bought the part for $45 & changed it in less than 1/2 hour. I paid him $100 (including a little tip for honesty).

I took the vehicle to Alignment Masters for the alignment - they confirmed all the work & aligned the vehicle for less than the estimate they had provided (I can't recommend this place enough!!! 303-761-7219)

The bottom line is that Pep Boys Corporate Service must train their personel to be out & out crooks. Any competent MECH will know that an idler arm is good when a Tie Rod is bad & what is this bracket assembly crap? That's an extra $145 for nothing. Not to mention their labor rate (which the MGR said was $100 an hour) was at least double the time it would actually take.

I'm betting this is the kind of swindle any & all of the Pep Boys will attmept with unsuspecting customers.

Do yourself a favor & find a local HONEST mechanic that will not take you to the bank when you come in for an oil change!!!

Posted 12/30/08 | Report Abuse

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