Meineke Muffler ripoff Taking advantage of young people and females Jacksonville North Carolina

A young Marine wife took her 1985 Pontiac to this Meineke in November, 2006. She wanted to have it "serviced", ie., oil change, as they had just moved to NC from Ohio.

The technican/mechanic at Meineke told this young lady she needed: valve cover gasket, alternator, belts, and a battery. By the way, she did get the oil changed. The total cost of her "service" was $450.

In May, 2007, the couple started having problems with the alternator; they took it back to Meineke. Meineke referred them to Auto Logic, as they "didn't know what was wrong." Remember, just 6 months prior, Meineke put a "brand new" alternator on this vehicle.

All this taking the car here and there is being done by the the young wife, as her husband was deployed. Auto Logic now tells this young lady she needs a "belt" for the vehicle. This trip cost her $120. The couple had already purchase a newer vehicle; they put the Pontiac up for sale.

In August 01, 2007, I purchased the vehicle. I was told all of the above by the couple. Took the car for a test drive with the wife on July 30th. In doing so, we hear squealing. It was brief and stopped. Neither of us knew what was happening.

On that Wednesday, August 01, I went to purchase the car and get my tags, etc. When I left the young lady's apartment and was about 4 miles down the road, the squealing began and the battery indicated lite up. I immediately called the young lady; of course neither of us or mechanically inclined. I took the car to the nearest Auto Zone. And this is where the fun begun.....

When the technican lifted the hood, immediately he saw THERE WAS NO ALTERNATOR BELT. I called the young lady back and informed her of our discovery. She immediately called Auto Logic. I've put in a report on this company, too.

Anyway, as for Meineke, I took the car to Meineke to try to find out why a 6 month old alternator failed. Of course, I was told the "warranty" was expired. I knew that. But WHY DID AN ALTERNATOR PUT ON "BRAND NEW" LESS THAN 10 MONTHS AGO FAIL? Shucks....Auto Zone gives you a lifetime warranty. I was told by Meineke "....they'll have to do a diagnostic test...." to know if it was a manufactures defect. Ok, that's good, HOWEVER, I'd have to pay $65 for it!!!!! AND, if it is a manufacture's defect, then they'd replace it.....

Why should I have to pay anything? And why doesn't Meineke honor the warranty of the alternator; they give the customer a 30 day warranty.

peggy
Jacksonville, North Carolina
U.S.A.