This is my second experience purchasing from Mavis. I would rate both experiences at 4 stars. The…read morefirst time, I bought 4 tires for nearly $800, but promptly lost a hub cap on the highway. I called and they replaced my cap. Thankful for that good customer service.
Fast forward over 2 years, and I have a different car and need new tires. I researched and decided on Michelin Cross Climate tires. I do know they are a pricier tire but the potholes and weather of New York are formidable and require quality.
I went in to Mavis and met Danielle, who is the main reason why I'm giving 4 stars instead of 2 or 3. I asked if she had this specific tire and they did, we talked about pricing, adding on hazard coverage in addition to warranty, charges for swapping out tires, and the charge for disposing of the old ones. It came out to high $700-something. I budgeted for $800-something in case I needed the alignment done, which I could feel when driving that I probably needed that and it's a $90 charge. I came in about 10 days later, on a Tuesday, to make my appointment, they had one last set in another store, they would shuttle them over so my appointment was set for Saturday, and I was told to pay after the service.
Saturday I come in at my appointment time of 8am and I'm told the tires wouldn't arrive until 10ish, so I left my car and walked home, thank goodness it's not far otherwise I would have lost my morning. I told Danielle that if it needs alignment, just go ahead with the service like we had discussed. I get two phone calls from a male employee, first one saying my struts are blown (thanks for the update, something to talk about with my mechanic) and a second one saying my alignment is out and if I would like to have that service done. I said I had already told them to go forward with that but ok, thanks for checking in anyway. The third call was that my car was ready so I walked back over.
I was helped by Ivan, a genuine employee just doing his job. He told me my total was over $1000. As a female, I take mechanical issues seriously as women - or honestly anyone who doesn't look into matters as closely as they should - can get the wool pulled over their eyes real quick.
So I ask Ivan to break down the pricing as it's a vastly different sum than was quoted. One charge was replacement of air valves, which I inform him I did not ask for, old ones could have been used, and they called me numerous times for other things so they could have asked about that, and he voided that minimal charge. It was still in the $1000's range so I think whatever, now I know to go to Costco next time. Danielle came in, and I told her the total price that my card was just charged for and she immediately sprang into action, which I greatly appreciate. Apparently in the last few days the tires went up in price and other factors, plus tax yadda yadda. Danielle got it back in the high $800's which is still high but more palpable than over a grand. I'm thankful for her efforts to keep the quoted price and maintain an honorable transaction.
Lesson for ladies: do your research, don't just pay things if they tell you a price, have that awkward conversation that makes you look cheap but needs to happen if you don't want to be taken advantage of. I'm not saying that's what Mavis was trying to do, but it didn't feel like a safe space until Danielle came and took care of it, and it makes me wonder what would have happened if I hadn't come in 3 separate times during my research phase and had these conversations. Because of Danielle, I can give 4 stars, but it's because of the situation in general that I cannot award a 5 star review. If you go here, ask for Danielle and stick with her through the entire process, ask her to oversee it, clarify everything, she's really great and knows her stuff.
