Meineke Coupons

[Jokersmoker]

Text
Enjoy
jokersmoker

 

[IndyDrunkPunk]

Thanks.....

 

[NeoSolo]

before going to meineke, make sure that you do your research.
I got ripped off from there. I am sure this is not all the meineke, but I would like to share my story.

I needed to replace exhust pipe, muffler, and tail pipe to pass inspection on my mazda truck.
Anyway, I had warrenty covering muffler, so I decieded to go to meineke to get work done.

Total came out to aroud $150 replacing exhaust pipe, muffler(free under warrenty), and tail pipe. $40 labor and $110 parts.
After the job was done, I went to CarQuest to pick up a headlight, and while I was there I checked the price on all the part need to do same work on exhaust system. And the total part cost came out to around $80 including muffler.

So what is going on here?
I understand that labor was $40.
I compared price on the parts, and they ripped me off extra $30 on the tail pipe. dang... and few $$ here and there on other parts.

I thought that with warrenty on the muffler, I would save money.. I guess not..

basically

CarQuest
Tail pipe, muffler, exhaust pipe, and other extra parts (screws, bolts.. etc) = $80

Meineke
Tail pipe, muffler (not included:warrenty covered), exhaust pipe, and other extra parts (screws, bolts.. etc) = $110

I am not sure how good the parts from meineke are, but they just lost one customer + all my friends.

oh well, they have skills that I do not have so......

 

[rufruf44]

Thats pretty common on most chain service shop (Meineken, Midas, etc). They need to make money one way or the other.

 

[NeoSolo]

Yeah, make money is good.. but do not rip me off.
If they said labor cost $70, I would understand little more.
But If I can go down the street and get just about same part for less.

anyway, I should have research little more before gettitng my repair done.

one more thing, life time warrenty does not mean too much..
They will get you with something else and more. =P

 

[pkypkypky]

yet another bad story from ppl who went to a meineke/midas

i got one too, but i won't even begin. they're about as good as those gas stations mechanics

 

[JEDI]

yep..meinakee charges for tail pipe, muffler and exhaust. and it probably is in 1 piece too, meaning that it'll be easier for them to just to replace the whole thing instead of unweling/welding the exhaust pipe and tail pipe separtely. they'll nickel and dime you anyway they can.

carquest's definition of muffler probably is all 3 peices combined?

as for midas, $50 to turn EACH rotor using the on-car method because that's what the manufacturer recommends. And i was stupid enuf to fall for that. Midas ripoff thread Carquest had rotors for my car for $18/each!!!!

also, midas charged me $20 for brake shims! and another $13 for shop supplies. What freaking shop supplies?! jeez...

 

[Sesopedalian]

NeoSolo - If you or anyone else can find ANY place that does work for you, and charge you the same or less for parts that you can find and buy yourself, please tell us about it because it would be the hottest deal I have ever heard! They ALL make their money on BOTH parts and labor. In fact, every service of any kind that involves charging for parts, you will pay more for the parts than if you bought them yourself. That is the way of the world.

 

[JEDI]

any independant garage can probably install the stuff you bring. but the downside is no warrenty. but then again, the warrenty's inde garages give are usually 3 to 6 months/3 to 6k miles, instead of 1 year (or lifetime) like chains give. then again, you;ve just read how worthless those warrenty's are.

also, if the part has a core (like starter/alternator), ask to be credited for the core exchange.

better yet, learn how to do the stuff yourself at a local community college. sparkplugs/air filter/alternator/belts/brakes are all EASY. heck, for brakes, you just popout 2 pins, replace pads/rotors and you're done! 15 min tops and that was my 1st time doing it. the hardest part was taking the lugs off the wheel.

 

[rufruf44]

Change your own oil? u mean getting all dirty and greasy?? eeeewww

 

[S13SilviaK]

Well neoSolo might not be able to give info. but I know of two places. One is Covina Muffler in Covina California, Mike down there replaced every piece of 2.5" tubing from my header through to my twin exhaust on my Maxda RX-7 for $50 even including piping, bending and welding. A similiar job from Meineke was quoted over $300.

Also for general car work when I'm in northern Cali. I get my stuff done at Diablo Auto in San Ramon by Pat. He normally charges parts by dealer cost or aftermarket your choice. In my case I can get the parts much cheaper so I just bring them in and he charges me for labor only, at a discount rate.

It's very easy to get good prices on auto work as long as you treat the mechanic half decent and buddy up with him, prices plummet if you treat them like a human being.

 

[JEDI]

oil changes...it takes 10 minutes for oil to drain from engine to pan?!

does that mean i should let my car sit for 10 min b4 letting them work on it? or does it mean from the time they take off the oil plug?

hm..i have a '93 nissan sentra 1.6liter engine. the garage always refills it w/3.5 quarts. (That's what it says on my sheet, plus i see them open 4 bottles of oil and pour it in. the 4th bottle they stop b4 completely emptying it.) Is my engine that small that it only takes 3.5 quarts???

 

[DAICA]

i would always work on my car myself unless there was no way possible for me to perform the task.
good deal tho, coulda helped me in my early days when i didnt know too much about the machanical trade.

 

[tedinde1]

Ok it was winter time my front brakes were squealing. Didnt feel like doing it myself. And have never taken any of my cars anywhere. Always did my own since 16. im 37 now. Pulled in mieneke. Manager came back with a clipboard and a total estimate of $700+, I told him to put it back together. Looked over the estimate. Said it needed new calipers. $265 a piece?? I called pepboys on Cell phone while the manager stood there and they said $46 each. I asked him what he was trying to pull. He just said sir "we will put your car back together and will i just please leave"??? They will get you if they can. But then depends on the place.

Drove down the street to Midas. Sign said $89 front brake service. $89 later and a clean winshield and Topped off fluids and im on the road again. Doesnt mean Midas wont get you too if they can.

Just never have a problem with telling them Hell no!!!

 

[JEDI]

ted lucky you. my midas here has a sign that says $89.99 for brake pads or shoes. Betcha anything that they'll add a $70/hr labor charge to that! plus $13 shop supplies, plus $20 shims. Plus $50 to rotate EACH rotor, plus .... etc...

 

[KATX]

The 50% discount on brakes says "Discount applies to regular retail pricing." I seriously doubt a person going into a shop today without this coupon will be charged twice as much the one with this coupon. But it this is a true 50% off, then it is a phenomenal deal.

When one goes into these chain stores one must go there assuming that he would be ripped off. The next best thing is to see if passes the "feel" test. If you feel the guy is a crook, he is a crook.

Here is my recent experience with Meineke. Went for a quote. They guy did not invite me to show me the problem. Then he came in and gave me an estimate. Would not put it in writing. Did not pass the feel test so I never went back.

 

[MisfitsFiend]

d'oh...just spent $30 for an oil change....last one was in late may...early june...could have went to meineke - might have been a tad cheaper with the coupon

mf