Midas

Just another shop trying to take advantage of the unwary.
I scheduled to have this shop complete a front brake replacement on our Audi Q5. when I made the appointment, I was given a verbal estimate of «around $ 300». I dropped the car off the evening before and received a call from the manager saying that after inspection, the brake repairs where now going to be over $ 850. I let him know that the local Audi dealer had given me a quote of right at $ 700 after their inspection of the brakes. He said he would check with his parts supplier and see what he could do about getting a reduction in the parts cost.
Around 20 minutes later, he came back with a reduced price around $ 650, conveniently just under the dealership price… I asked him what kind of mark up do they have on parts, to be able to drop the price to less than the dealership and a couple hundred less than the original quote. There was no reasonable response. I asked him why the price had jumped from the original estimate and he said that the rotors were worn well below the minimum thickness and that the sensors had to be replaced. I decided to decline any further service based on the significant price reduction between the two quotes after they had inspected the brakes.
When I picked up the car, I was charged a $ 35 inspection fee. I asked him how far below the minimum the brake rotor thickness was, as the dealer ship made no mention in their inspection of the rotors being excessively worn. He showed me the inspection report and their measured rotor thickness was 1.056″ and 1.060″. The OEM specs for minimum thickness on these rotors is 23 mm or 0.906″. The rotors are not «worn well below the minimum». The brake sensors are also fine. They indicate that the brake pads are worn, not that there is a sensor problem.
I feel sorry for the people that have to have service done on their vehicles that don’t fully understand the mechanics involved. When they have to rely on service facilities to give them accurate information and hopefully receive a quality job for a fair price, you will have shops like this that attempt to take advantage of those that just don’t know what they are getting into…

I had my car towed in for emergency service in the middle of the night after my muffler came loose and was dragging on the ground. They could have charged me anything but they were fair, fast, and did great work. I am very thankful for their service.

Stopped in after 4:00 p.m. on a Monday hoping someone could look at a brake light. Staff was courteous and quick. My husband and I have had consistently good service from the folks at this Midas (from oil changes to engine work) and a good review was long overdue. Thanks Craig and team for your outstanding customer service. We’ll be back!

Had a pretty absurd experience here. Not going to blame the «I’m a woman, so Midas tried to take advantage of the fact that I don’t know much about cars» idea, but I’m pretty damn sure that it could be the case. Shame on you, Midas.
We were running around on a very busy Saturday and realized we were a bit overdue for an oil change, so we popped in here — our neighborhood Midas — for a quick oil change. They did the oil change (it was overpriced, but it was fine) and their «courtesy inspection.» What did the inspection apparently show, you ask? It showed that my windshield wipers and wiper fluid «did not work» (yes, yes they did) and that I needed to replace my entire steering rack, because it was leaking and was a «huge danger» to drive.
I’ve been burned by Midas before, so I ignored their diagnosis for a week or so. Then, paranoia got to me, and I took my Subaru back to Carter (where we purchased it, and where I’ve had work done) to check out the steering rack. Diagnosis? TOTALLY FINE. No leaks. Zero. Zip. None. Carter was nice enough, however, to let me know that to replace the steering rack, I would’ve been paying Midas hundreds of dollars or even thousands of dollars.
Nice try, Midas. I absolutely won’t be back.

$ 31.99 to patch a tire.

My short interaction with Midas was fair and he did what I asked, which was to get an estimate on a part. What really stuck with me and left a bad taste in my mouth was how he spoke to customers when they called the shop as he was helping me. There was many discourteous remarks and eye-​rolling right in front of me. I’m sure that they are fantastic Auto Service Experts but customer service is everything to me and in the front office, it seemed to be absent.

Here is an update: I forgot to mention that they OVER-​filled my oil. thanks! and no you will not be seeing me again, but I appreciate your reply. TRY TO SAVE FACE. you will need it!

Went to Midas at the last minute to get my brakes done — desperation and a quick flip through Google maps to find somebody who could work on my car that day. Bad idea — The guy at the counter was intimidating, he gave me that «You’re a peon and I am the mechanic god» look when I tried to ask him technical questions about my brakes. p. s., I used to work on cars, I really do know what I am talking about.
I went across the street to get a few gin and tonics (the Waterwheel) whilst my car was being pounded on so I could keep an eye on things. I did happen to see them «test» my car by racing it around the block full throttle and then bounce around the corner as though the driver were coming in for gas during a LeMans race. My poor little car — she’s picky about who drives her.
After 4 hours of them «working» (which included ‘grinding the hubs???) I was told I had a bad back caliper — I know this caliper is 30 bucks — they charged me 180 for it — sure, I know they are here to make money, but c’mon — really… 150 dollar profit? — add to that 50 dollars of labor to unscrew a bolt and put it on (literally, two bolts… it’s a 5 minute job, I’ve done it.) Yeah, I’m a little bitter that I had to pay 60% more than what they told me. I think they were desperate to make money because I brought my own brake hardware (superior to what they offer) in to have put on the car.
Long story short, I ended up going to «Pacific Rim Automotive» on Stoneway a few days later for struts and a bill of health. while they were poking around the belly of the silver streak (mi carro) — they noticed that Midas had put the rear brake pads on backwards — if they wouldn’t have found this the brake would either have fallen out of the calipers or simply destroyed themselves.
Morale of the story — don’t go to Midas — go to Pacific Rim Automotive. they are the nicest people I’ve ever dealt with at a shop — they give you a loaner car so you can get around — they finish your car lickity split, they give you options while they are working on your car like… changing your oil etc. (I know this is upselling, but if you ‘package’ your services, it’s always cheaper)… and their prices are cheaper than anybody else I’ve dealt with (except for that guy Dave, the VW mechanic that works out of his garage… he’s good too!)
Cheers! -
p. s., finding a good mechanic is like finding a good doctor. Once you find one, stick with them. I’ll be doing all of my future dealings with Pacific Rim Automotive from now on.

Update: Turns out these guys are just like everyone else. My previous good review was an unfortunate misconception. One good customer service employee does not make an establishment a decent place, as I was reminded today.
I went back for an oil change. I don’t have a driveway and find it easier and simpler to just pay someone to change the oil and filters. My last experience at this Midas was so good, I figured why not give them my business again? Well, the store manager was running the office today, and he doesn’t appear to give a damn about customers, especially not ones who don’t change their own oil. His attitude was short, rude and condescending (industry standard).
I was charged about double what I should’ve been, and that’s including the buffer I give to bigger chain stores. The manager knew this, especially after I refused to pay for a $ 40 air filter (at which point he miraculously found a $ 27 one, which didn’t exist before). As I was checking out, we bathed in that general awkward silence that comes with someone knowingly screwing another person.

We just had our vehicle in for a new muffler. They did a great job, the estimate was realistic (and they kept it), and we’re glad to do business with them.
No complaints…

Here is what has happened to me using this particular Midas. About a year ago, my alternator went out because I was stupid enough to let someone «wash» the engine in a car detail not knowing that spraying water would completely ruin my alternator. We got the car to the shop that was closest to us, Midas. They replaced the alternator at a rate of approximately $ 200.00 more than a few other places I have gone to, including the place that I usually take my car. Towing my car to another place was going to cost, guess what — around $ 200.00. SO, I allowed Midas to do the work. I was assured that I was given a quality part and that is why it cost more. About 7 months later I am back in the Midas after my quality alternator suddenly stops working and the reason is a mystery. Midas replaced it for free which I was happy about. While my car was in the shop they offered to replace my serpentine belt and I said yes because it was only going to cost me the price of the belt. The next day, I drove my car, and my belt was squealing like a pig. Now I really don’t trust this place and I drove the car squealing for about a week and a half. Then my husband sent it to another shop. Turns out «someone,» not me, had sprayed lubricant on my Serp belt and has now cause the idler pulley for the AC to get off balance. Now tell me if this doesn’t just seem like sheer incompetence or even brazen destructiveness on the part of Midas.

By the way, you need a new Johnson Rod in there.
Oh, a Johnson rod. Yeah, well, you better put one of those on.
——
That comes from Seinfeld talking about auto mechanics. I had this scene replaying in my head over and over because quite frankly I am car retarded. I know you put gas in, turn the key and go.
But my brakes were making a god awful sound and rather than play roulette with my wife’s safety I figured it’s time to act. Since I am completely driven by instant gratification I went with Midas. I searched Unilocal for Auto Repair in the area and 1 of the shops never called back and the other couldn’t get me in until next week.
I called about 930 this morning and they said they could check it out today and likely fix it. Well they delivered, even beat their estimate. Now I have working brakes again.
Did I overpay? Likely but probably not by much and surprisingly they didn’t try to sell me a new Johnson Rod.