Meineke Car Care Center

Reviews 3

SH

Shawn Elder

As a road warrior, I put a lot of miles on my vehicle, and Im very cautious about who works on my vehicle. My wife suggested I try Meineke. Being new to town, and looking for good car services, it sounded good - its a well known franchise, so it ought to be acceptable. I pulled up, but noone was at the bay, so I eventually went inside. Everyone having a grand time there. I was the only customer, and they had noticed my arrival. I asked about services, and then drilled down the "extra" charges, and decided I would only go with the basic services this time to test things out. I usually go for the all point inspection, full deal. Glad I did! They pulled my air filter to show me how dirty it was. Since I had very recently checked it, It was very evident someone had run a dirty rag across the top and dumped in a bunch of dirt. It included some big heavy stuff that would never made it into my intake! I fanned it - discovered the ruse, and declined the filter change (At a cost of $14.99! Full retail cost for this filter is $5.99) Then the upselling began - and based on the exhorbitant rate for the filter, there was no way I was going to pay them to top off any fluids! To add insult, the tech stated - when we opened your hood, it smelled strongly of gas. This is gives me concern, as I run this vehicle 300 to 1000 miles a day (Yes - I did say road warrior earlier!) I simply asked what he thought it might be, figuring he would give me his expert opinion, then tell me which test or inspection would discover it. NO- HE LAUGHS AT ME, and says I dont give diagnostics for free bud! He did not offer a service that could find out, or if they dont have the capacity to find out, refer me to a source for diagnostics, nor did indicate the gravity of the situation. I have never had that smell occur when checking oil, even when refueling, and dont have stains on the driveway, so it was a little puzzling. I have not had yet again today. So - was he lying, or just sniffed too many other fumes in his life? The final bill did cost me 40% more than the posted advertised amount, even though I declined every add-on - its in their extra disposal fees and other nonsense! How convenient! I intended to call the company and have my vehicle and personal information removed, but upon receiving the bill, the tech couldnt even enter the data, even though I spelled it out for him - so no need - they dont have any real data in their system about me anyway. So let me offer some free diagnostics of my own. Find another location. There are 5 other chain service centers within half a block of this place. I havent tried them, but odds are real good you are going to get honest, professional service, at least a caliber above this place. I wont be back here, and since this is my first Meineke experience, I am reluctant to visit any of their locations.

FR

Frankie Benka

No, I was not satisfied at all. I made the appointment because my engine light was on and I saw your commercial on TV that you would check it for free. When I went to your website I found a coupon for $20 for an oil change, tire rotation and 23 point inspection. I figured I might as well get the oil changed while Im there. So I made an appointment online. When I got to Meineke at my appointment time, the dude behind the counter was unaware of any appointments. He took all my information and as I was about to give him my coupon for the $20 oil change he told me they had a special on right now for a $15 oil change. So, I said ok that was even better. About 15 minutes later this guy comes out to the waiting room and tells me that I need a few new parts that would cost me over a $100. He told me what the code was and that he didnt know what the problem was until he did some diagnostics which would cost me $107 an hour. I passed. My truck was pulled out of the bay and the guy came out and told me my car was ready. I noticed that they hadnt rotated the tires so I asked him if they did. He said it would be $12.50. I said it was on the coupon I brought for $20 with an oil change. He said he didnt see that but he could take my coupon now and do the tire rotation. So they took my truck back into the bay and rotated the tires. About 15 minutes later a guy comes out and tells me my car is ready. I go out to the desk to pay and ask what they found wrong with the car. One guy with a bad attitude told me it was just a filter and serpentine belt. I was hoping that the results of the code read would be on the invoice (and they were). I went out to get in my vehicle and the engine light was still on so I went back inside and asked why they didnt turn it off. Attitude guy tells me I "just had an oil change and that has nothing to do with the engine light". I explained to him and another guy standing nearby that was what I came in for and could they turn the light off. They both looked dumbfounded and after a minute said they couldnt turn it off unless they resolved whatever problem caused it to come on in the first place. Ok, fine. Not to mention the guy that was smoking inside the bay. No, I am not a happy camper. At least the scrawny guy I first talked to was courteous and was trying very hard to be customer friendly. Worst experience ever at an auto repair shop. I will never return to a Meineke again, ever. And will probably post this on Google so everyone else will know to avoid this place. I dont even know if I got the 23 point inspection but Im guessing I did not. I wish I had checked the reviews here first.

A

Anonymous User

Ha, don’t make me laugh. The “new manager” left a review below trying to wipe the slate clean and boy I hope this isn’t what he considers to be a good, ethical business. I went to get my oil changed this past weekend and this is what occurred after the oil was changed when they gave me 3 recommendations: 1) They told me I needed a new air filter, and the guy brought out this old torn air filter with pine needles in it to ‘show me’ how bad my air filter is, I told them “no thanks, I’ll do it myself”. When I got home, not only was my air filter in fine condition, but the old torn air filter they showed me, wasn’t even the air filter from my car, it was just some used air filter they have on a shelf somewhere that they pull out to show people so they can make a quick buck. Lie number 1! 2) They said I needed a power steering fluid change (for $70) as my fluid was old and dark brown to blackish in color. I went home and checked my power steering fluid, a nice rosy pink, nothing wrong, Lie number 2!! 3) They also stated that I need my automatic transmission fluid changed (for $120) because it was also black and burnt smelling. I went home and checked it, a slight pink color to it, no burnt smell. Not as good as brand new ATF but still nowhere close to needing to be replaced. LIE NUMBER 3!!! The funny thing is my rotors are warped quite badly and while I will be replacing them next weekend on my own once the parts come in, they didn’t even mention that. So that “22 point check they do” was a lie. This is your stereotypical lying, unethical, cheating mechanic shop that does whatever they can to steal money from you by playing off people’s general ignorance of cars. I’m sure they do fine work in terms of quality, but do not go here…not worth the chance given how unethical they behave.

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