TLDR Always go to Meineke. Always go to Mr. Tire. Never stop at Midas.
Update: I just called Corporate to follow up on my lack of resolution and found out that the AI chatbot took my correct number because I received several text messages from Midas but James (the store manager) lied to corporate and gave them a number with one off digit which made them think they were getting in contact with me when they weren't. Corporate mentioned that the ticket was closed due to failure to connect with me. I asked the agent to make note of this issue and remind James that he had me sitting for 3 hours for an oil change. The agent was aghast. She has reopened my ticket. Will update when corporate reaches out.
Start of experience:
I was looking to book an appointment with Meineke but inadvertently scheduled with Midas - I was at breakfast with my best friend having a great conversation and my attention wasn't fully on differentiating between the two *sad face*. When I realized my mistake I went to Midas and when asked how I was doing, I told James I was scared because I had scheduled at the wrong place and this was my first time at Midas. I was encouraged that being a first time customer was all the more reason to stay and reassured that I would be taken care of. This was at 10am.
I needed an oil change and a look into why my air conditioner was blowing hot air.
I mentioned that because I was unfamiliar with their pricing, I would need an initial estimate and some insight so I could make informed decisions along the way. The air conditioner evaluation was priced at 100.00 if I did not get any additional work completed at the shop and the oil change was slated for 80.00 with a total of about 190. I told him I would go to Valvoline because what is he talking about? He brought the price down on the oil change to about 65.00 and said if it was something as simple as the wrong button not being turned on, he wouldn't charge me for the evaluation. I ok'd the process and sat down. This was at 10:15am.
A young lady walked in after me around 10:30 and scheduled with Mr Tire but showed up at Midas but they said since you're here, just stay here and we'll take care of you. She agreed and was quoted an hour. After 45 minutes she was released, so I asked James if there was something going on with my air conditioner since someone who came in 30 minutes after me was leaving before me and we had the oil change in common. He mentioned that his technician was blowing air through something and mentioned I was low on Freon and he needed to add dye to something and probably that the air conditioner would need to be recharged so the new price for that was 495.00. I told him new numbers were never agreed upon and I was just here for the evaluation because I have no reason to pay that much for a recharge. He said he was still waiting on the dye and would have better information for me. This was 11:15am.
I get a summons from another gentleman about the air conditioner needing a new charge and the settled price is 495. James says no, do not give it to her at that price, bring it to 295.00.
Thank you, James, but no. I do not have any intention on spending that type of money. This is around 11:30am. From here to 12pm. My car is suspended, no new information. My husband calls at 12 and asks is everything ok. I tell him my appointment was at 10am and I've denied the additional work. At this point, these men are playing with me. My husband arrives at 12:15pm and asks why the car is still suspended. James says he's pulling all the freon from my car and it would take an additional 30 minutes.
The evaluation calls for freon to be added to my car, I deny the service, so you put what was low in my car in and now you're sucking it out just because I do not want to pay 200 more dollars for a service that costs 40.00? I said, James, you said you were going to take care of me and now you're making me sit here for over 2 and a half hours just to leave out with less freon that I came in with because you're mad? I said, James you have to do something about this. My time is valuable and you've been uncommunicative for the past hour. He got straight up indignant and nasty and barked that he wouldn't be doing anything about anything. My husband calmly paid the bill and I called corporate.
Cool. My fault for staying somewhere I was walking out of in the first place. Over 3 hours after my service (the car was released at 1pm) and all I left with was an oil change and a 180.00 bill. All I wanted to do was prepare for the beach trip tomorrow on my paid day off and go about my business.
Long story short. Always go to Meineke. Always go to Mr. Tire. Never stop at Midas.
Ending note: I am awaiting a resolution call from corporate. If I get a call, I will update. read more
