Meineke Car Care Center

Reviews 3

NO

Norman McDonnell

Buyer Beware! The reason for my visit to Meineke was that my truck was experiencing a loss of power on acceleration and an engine misfire. The check engine light was on and indicated a problem with the mass air flow sensor and random misfires. Having had some experience as a mechanic I felt that the mass air flow code could be a result of the engine not being able to breath, exhaust clogged, so I took my truck to Meineke at 215 North Frazier Street in Conroe Texas. I believed these folks to be exhaust system specialists. Let me start by saying that when I took my vehicle in to Meineke I was impressed with Gracie’s confidence that she had diagnosed my vehicles problem. She charged me 50.00 for the diagnostics and mechanics diagnosis seemed to make sense. I was astonished though that her estimate for repairs was 1500.00 but like I said her diagnosis seemed to make sense. Little did I know that the diagnosis was based on a guess. I was told that for the 1500.00 my catalytic converters, fuel metering block and pop-its would be replaced and this would correct my vehicles problems. After they had replaced all the parts they said needed to be replaced for the 1500.00 the problem still existed. The mechanic then proceeded to install additional parts that had not been part of the original quotation and the owner, Gracie, added them to my bill. Even after the replacement of additional parts my truck still has the exact same issues and I was told that now the MAP sensor needed replacing. When asked why replacing the originally quoted parts - that they diagnosed as the issue - did not fix my vehicle I was told that they never guaranteed that the repairs would fix my vehicle. What does that mean? Who would agree to spend that kind of money and not expect it to be fixed. Would you not say that it will cost 1500.00 to diagnose the vehicle if you were not confident in your diagnostics? No, they quoted 1500.00 for the repair of my vehicle, not the diagnostics of my vehicle. Remember, I already paid 50.00 for a diagnostic. When pressed for a further explanation Gracie’s response to me was why didn’t I fix it myself if I had experience as a mechanic. Obviously this is irrational since I am the customer paying with my hard earned money. Why would she care if I’ve had experience as a mechanic? I trusted her to have integrity and fix my vehicle. Clearly she was getting upset that I would expect my truck to be fixed after spending that kind of money. I was done, better just pay the money and go somewhere else for the repairs. While attempting to pay my wife was told that they would not accept our credit card as payment. We would need to bring cash or she would not release my vehicle. Wow, I was shocked. We did not have cash for the repair. We intended to pay by credit card so this really set us back. To top it all off she ended up threatening to call the police on me. I must admit that I told her that she should. I wanted her to call the cops. I was not going to win this argument, not that I needed to, I just wanted my money’s worth. I figured that since that was not going to happen let her call the police on me. This was in the hope that it might turn some unsuspecting person away and ultimately save them money and hurt Gracie’s Business. The police seemed to agree with me but really this is civil matter so what could they do? Nothing really but be sympathetic. Buyer Beware!

ME

meg smith

Do not bother going to this location unless you prefer terrible deceitful customer service. My husband took our new used van in to have a tune up. He informed Gracie not to start work on the vehicle until he ( my husband) said to because he had only two hours before he had to pick up our children from school. Two hours go by with no word on the vehicle, Gracie is being very sweet and talky the whole time. Half an hour before school let out he informed her it was about time for him to go and he would have to come back after to have whatever actual work that needed to be done, done. She then informs him that several filters need to be replaced and had the mechanic show them to him, exclaiming how filthy they were. She also informs him ( husband) the mechanic already began work so she would herself take my husband to the school to get the kids. Very weird, but the lady is kooky so he chalked it up to that. They retrieve the kids and they all head back to the Meineke. A while passes the time up is done husband pays 309.00 and comes home. Not twenty minutes later Gracie calls my husband and informs him that she accidentally voided our transaction after he left the location, so he needs to come back and pay asap. Weird right? I call the bank right away and they confirm a pending transaction of 309.00 and advise I dont pay her again until the transaction falls off, it could be 4 days.. Unless I want to be out 618.00. Well, I was going to HEB anyways so I went to the location to speak with her and ask what in the world caused her to void our transaction and what could we do to fix it. Turns out after speaking to her that she has no idea what caused her to void our transaction. She also cant tell me for sure if it will charge me twice if I pay her again right then. I explain to her that I do not have another 309.00 to give her until the transaction she voided drops off my account. She gives me the voided receipt ( not time stamped mind you) and I tell her I will return to pay her as soon as it drops of, and we both agree it could take up to four days. Its now been two and a half days and she not two hours ago had my car repossessed for non payment. Im left with a transaction receipt from when my husband payed her, the void receipt she created, and no vehicle. She did not give a warning phone call or anything. She knows I have five children who depend on that crappy minivan to get around in. Now Im faced with having to go to her in the a.m. to sort this out if possible. Oh, and there is the irony that its national womens day as well. Do not go to this location.

JO

Jonathan

As someone with mechanic experience, I do not trust these people. I called to get a quote today on a serpentine belt replacement. They quoted me at $150, which is a good price, but I asked how much it would be if I supply the belt. The lady told me it would be the same price, so I asked how much it would be if they supply the belt. She responded the same price. Something didnt seem right. So I asked "What type of belt do you guys use?" Her response was very condescending in tone "One that fits. Why do you ask?" The reason for my asking was because I wanted to know if they were putting on the OEM belt, or a cheap belt due to fail prematurely. I told her that. I politely thanked her, and we ended the call. Momente later, another person from The shop called me to negotiate. He seemed to think that there must be something else wrong with my car since I needed my belt replaced. I told him that nothing else is wrong with my car, that the belt is just worn, and the maintenance schedule also insists it should be replaced. He told me to bring it in and that they will do the job. I told him I do not feel comfortable bringing my car in given the conversation I had with the first lady giving me attitude. Shortly after hanging up with him, the first lady I talked to called me to negotiate on the price, and attempt to defend herself. I told her that I asked an intelligent question, which warranted an intelligent answer, not the response "a belt that fits." She claims that I worded the question wrong, that I shouldve been specific in asking if theyre putting an OEM belt on. She gave me that whole run-around stating their belt is just as good as the OEM. She also claimed that they will allow me to bring in the OEM belt for a lower price, and that they were going to lower the price for me, that no other shop will do all of this. She also stated that she called me to "not to argue with you," even though she implied I was wrongly wording my simple question. I told her that they called me a second time because they are desperate for business, and that she was trying to cover herself. The call ended there. These people cannot be trusted. Im glad I found out prematurely by asking the right questions before taking my car in für a simple task, only to have reoccurring issues, caused by the loosening of a few gaskets. I wish others could know what questions to ask when quoting a mechanic shop, so they know if theyre fraudulent or not.

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