Meineke Car Care Center

I had oil changes done here for about a year, and they did a great job.
Unfortunately I allowed them to recharge my AC. I received my car back with a broken radio and a crack in 2 of my dashboard air vents.
I have since moved out of the Albany area, but there are about a million places to have work done on your car on central ave, skip this one.

Went here to take advantage of the free oil change for veterans on Veterans Day. I was happy to see them offering this deal but it was really poorly ran in the way that they waited on customers for this offer. We went in to see about this deal and were told they could due the oil change right away with no wait which we thought was great. As we were waiting at least 5 people walked in to get oil changes (all were veterans there for the deal) and the manager said he had to enter paperwork before he could check them in for there free oil changes. He said it was only him and one other employee and that was why it was taking so long. Well around a half hour later and we don’t see our car in the garage do we look for the manager to get our keys to leave. We can’t find him so we go back inside by this time he is back at the front on his phone texting not entering any paperwork while all these people are waiting to get checked in for their oil changes. By this time we are standing at the counter waiting for our keys and it took forever to find them even thought they were right on the desk. I felt really bad for all the veterans standing there waiting all this time and receiving no service. I understand it is a free oil change but don’t offer the service if you truly don’t want to do it. Also for a free oil change why only have two people working when you know it is going to be popular. I suspect the manager was stalling hoping some of these customers would just give up and leave so they didn’t have to do it. When we left he still hadn’t checked in one customer.

Some of the worst service I have ever had, hands down.
The man at the front desk (who appears to run the place) is named Bob. Bob enjoys speaking about things over your head that you don’t understand, therefore confusing you, and tricking you into purchasing things that are severely over-​priced or something that is simply not needed for your vehicle. In the beginning, I completely fell for his act.
Then, a year or so later (after learning a good deal about automobiles), I spotted his tactics. Not only did he attempt to sell me products I could have bought directly from the manufacturer for half the price, but he also suggested parts that did not need to be replaced. Regardless, I knew what I needed and I brought it to him: all I needed was installation therefore he couldn’t rip me off on that (Meineke generally has set prices).
I had a few things installed: catalytic converters, o2 sensors, and a tire rod end. Thankfully, the tie rod end was installed correctly. Everything else though, was not.
The first part installed was the catalytic converters, which looked good at first glance. Then, several months later, I went in again to have my o2 sensors installed. I was told by Bob that whoever installed/​welded my converters did a poor job, and they were put on the wrong way. I then informed him that this was in fact the Meinekes I went to when I had them welded on, and he acted surprised, then checked the company computer only to find I was right. Without an apology, he cut them and welded them again the right way, then proceeded to install the 02 sensors.
About a year later, I went to another shop for other parts to be installed on my car. An inspection test was done, saying there was an issue with one of the 02 sensors. The mechanics informed me that whoever had installed the 02 sensors initially had broke one of them during the installation.
So, that is my rant for the Meinekes in Albany off of Central Ave. I highly suggest you think twice before letting them handle your vehicle.