PepBoys Let's Get The Word Out!!! Unbelievable! Englewood Colorado

I had a broken serpentine belt, which I had replaced at Pep Boys. I had to take the car back several times because the new belt was squealing so loud neighbors could hear it inside their houses. Each time I brought it back and left it, it would still make noise. Several times later, I had an altercation with Pep Boys employees.

I was told that I would have to leave my car for two days to have this simple adjustment done again. I insisted that the repair be done the same day. I explained that this wasn't my first time back for the same thing and I didn't have another couple of days to wait. The receptionist turned her back, went into the garage and left me standing there stunned after making a rude comment.

A minute later, the manager, who was a lot bigger than me, came out. He leaned over the counter, got in my face and asked me what my problem was. He was angry. I calmly told him that I had been back several times for this simple adjustment and I expected it to be done correctly, that day. He flat out told me that he had bigger problems than my car and therefore, it was my problem. I insisted that someone look at the car. He said, "OK... OK... I know how Im going to deal with this", grabbed my keys, turned around, went into the garage, and left me standing there again stunned.

I saw him walking around in the garage through the window, so I walked behind the counter, opened the door, and asked him what he was going to do. He said my car would be done in a minute.

About fifteen minutes later, I got my car back and guess what... It squealed. I gave up and drove home.

Less than a week later, the drivers door flew open as I turned a corner. All three bolts that hold the locking device in place had come loose at the same time. Coincidence? I nearly crashed into a truck as I tried to hold the door shut with one hand and complete my turn with the other. The next day my car broke down again. Another coincidence? It was the same problem that I had before.

I reluctantly had my car towed back to Pep Boys so they could fix the problem I was sure they caused. However, to my surprise, they claimed that it was the timing belt this time that broke. I paid another $443.27 to have this "new" problem fixed.

After the latest $443.27 repair, my car barely ran. It sputtered and shook. I could no longer get it up to highway speed and it would not make it up hills. I had to plan to take the long route in order to avoid highways and hills. It was pathetic. It became unsafe and inconvenient to drive.

When I called Pep Boys and asked them why my car had no power, they told me that when the timing belt snapped, it damaged my engine and it would require another expensive repair to give the car more power.

Although I had never had any kind of problem with this car before the serpentine belt broke, I figured the car was now a junker. I couldn't use it unless it was a very short trip and only if there were no other alternatives in an urgent situation. I parked it and let it sit for months.

Recently my life situation has changed and I again need use of my car, so I drove it sputtering and dying to another garage (Firestone) just to see how much money it was going to cost to hopefully get the car running correctly. I wanted it to run like it did before I took it to Pep Boys. Oh, and by the way, the car squealed when I started it. I was not surprised

I was surprised however, when Firestone told me that all of the problems I was having with the car was because the timing belt had been incorrectly installed. Firestone said that the timing was so far off, they were surprised the car ran at all. They also discovered that the timing belt case was now broken and that bolts were missing. Seems like a running theme, doesn't it? They also said that the reason the serpentine belt was squealing is because it was too tight. It would have broken again.

Firestone pulled out the Pep Boys timing belt and completely redid it for $274.36. Included in this price was to currectly adjust the serpentine belt.

It is now like a brand new car. I drive it up and down the Rocky Mountains with plenty of power.

I have spoken to the manager of the Pep Boys where I took it originally. He said that he would try to help me. He would check with the corporate office and see what he can do. It has been weeks now and no word from him. I've called him since, but he has not returned my calls.

Therefore, I called the district manager, At first, he offered to pay me what Firestone charged to fix Pep Boys mistakes. I told him that I was concerned with what I had paid Pep Boys to ruin my car. I explained that any resolution between me and Pepboys had little to do with what I had paid Firestone to redo what Pep Boys had done; other than the fact that Pepboys charged more than double, if you count both belts. Now he says that too much time has passed and "it's not my problem". That must be the company slogan. I've certainly heard it more than once from different Pepboys employees. I've called and left messages since, which have not been returned.

I have therefore called the corporate (main) office at 215/430-9000 and left a message with John Herbert who has yet to respond.

Anyone want to pursue a class action suit against Pep Boys? Anyone want to help me with a national media campaign?

I have sent a detailed letter along with Firestone receipts to the local store manager, his district manager, and John Herbert at the corporate office. If I don't hear something within the next couple of weeks I will be pursuing this in other ways.

In researching this, I have discovered that there are MANY people who have had the same experience with Pep Boys. Let's band together and take action. Let's put a stop to this and warn the public.

If you have had a similar experience, please contact me.

Scott
Denver, Colorado
U.S.A.

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