Back in 2001, when I was a struggling single mother, I found myself in need of a break job on my car. I went to the only place I could find that offered quick and affordable break service – Pep Boys Auto.
They did the break job, which cost me about $75. I left happy and singing their praises.
That is, until I left for work the next morning. I used to work in Downtown Miami, and had to drive during rush hour traffic on the Florida Turnpike where the speed limit is 70 mph. Most people do 80.
I was about halfway to work when I started hearing weird grinding noises coming from my car.
And then something that I’ve only ever seen in the movies happened to me.
My tire came off my car.
It literally came OFF. MY. CAR.
In the middle of rush hour traffic, where I was surrounded by cars also doing 70 miles per hour.
BUT – I’ve been graced with lightening fast reflexes and as soon as I heard that noise, I began slowing down and trying to get over to the shoulder. I actually made it just in time, otherwise, I probably would have been in an accident so horrible that I wouldn’t be here to type this today.
I called AAA and they towed my car back to Pep Boys Auto.
So, what happened? The mechanic at Pep Boys Auto didn’t tighten the lug nuts on my tires when he put my tire back on.
My rim was SCREWED.
So what did Pep Boys Auto do to rectify the situation?
NOTHING. Absolutely nothing. I was told that I accepted responsibility for my vehicle when I signed the papers and drove it off the lot.
I’ve hated Pep Boys Auto ever since. When my husband takes the cars in for service anywhere, he actually stands at the door to the bay and watches the mechanics do their work. More than once, he has caught them either not even doing part of the job they’ve been paid to do, or in one instance, actually leaving the lug nuts OFF the car and telling us that the job was done.
Yeah, that was at Pep Boys Auto too. That is when we decided that we would never, ever, under any circumstance, ever go back to Pep Boys Auto.
And apparently, it’s not just our local Pep Boys Auto in Miami that has incompetent mechanics or shady business practices, because my friend Jackie at MySentimentExactLee has recently fallen victim to Pep Boys Auto as well.
Please take a moment to read her story – what Pep Boys Auto did to me is nothing in comparison to what they did to her. They completely destroyed her car!
OMG! How scary is that!!! People don’t realize how important it is for them to do a good job – there are lives at risk. Horrid.
I read Jackie’s story and what they did to her is DISGUSTING….but then again, I really don’t think I’ve ever heard anything good about Pep Boys. I sure as hell won’t be going to one now, though.
That is scary!