Midas St. Petersburg Ripped Off by the Mechanics at Midas St. Petersburg, Florida

Link to original complaint containing photos. . ripoffreport.com/reports/midas-4th-st-n-st-petersburg-fl/stpetersburg-florida-33703/midas-4th-st-n-st-petersburg-fl-owners-name-adam-ford-oil-change-stpetersburg-florida-1356570

Copy of original complaint.

The Midas Store located at 5844 4th St N in St.Petersburg, FL. is not only the epitome but sets a new high bar for the expression “A Den Of Thieves”. If you value your family’s or your own safety you must absolutely at all cost avoid taking your car to the these thieving buffoons. I took a Mercedes to them and supplied a special synthetic oil and a premium Mann oil filer that’s not otherwise available from them. They said they would change the oil and filter for a $20 labor only fee which also included a tire rotation and safety check. 

Before dropping the car off I had marked the outside of the oil filter canister which contains the filter element so I could determine if it had been removed. After picking the car up and returning home I check the mark and it was in the same location as before so I removed the canister cap and viewed a dirty Fram filter element even though I had supplied them with a new Mann oil filter.

I then checked the oil which was dirty and overfilled by at least 2 quarts. I believe this happened because I had returned early to pick up the car and noticed the containers of oil I had provided were still on the bench, so the mechanic in order to cover up his dishonesty proceeded to pour two of them into the crankcase even though in actuality he had never drained the old oil.

 I then started examining each item they had checked on their safety list form that is provide to the customer along with the receipt, only a few of the checked categories were correct most likely out of luck because after all even a broken clock is correct twice a day. The tire pressures indicated on the form weren't even close to being correct they rotated only two of the tires and then torqued the lug nuts to over 150 ft lbs, almost twice of  the spec, one of my headlamps had just burned out but they had all lights checked as good, washer fluid had just run out but that was marked as full. They did however happen to notice a leaking valve cover gasket which they gave me an estimate for $850 to replace even though it requires only a $20 gasket and about 3 hours to repair. 

I returned the next day and the manager was polite and timidly offered to correct the problem like a child that was just caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Since I no longer trusted anyone there I stood outside the bay and proceeded to video record the procedure which the mechanic took exception to and protested. At that time other customers were starting to take notice so they decided to ask me to leave which was probably the smartest thing they did. They refunded my $20 and provided me with the same type of oil and filter that I originally had provided to them which they said came from the local auto parts store. 

You bet ...they are crooks at this Midas too. I paid $1000 for a set of brakes and calipers on rear only. After I drove to a Goodyear store for tire rotation they also checked the work out and said you need brakes and cleaning. Of course I already got cleaned out , but good. 

I took the car back out of State to Indiana to my favorite Midas garage for decades and he confirmed they did not do the work, in fact they did not even put life time ceramic pads on the brakes or the right parts. He did a complete job overhaul again and made it right at no charge. He claims he submitted it all back thru Midas for him to get paid for what they should have done in Clearwater. 

While I waited in Florida for my car I heard them lie to several other customers about what was needed. I have been around car garages for 60 years, yes I know when I being fleeced. But you cant stop them before the work is done. You have to pay for the work and them have it checked out afterwards ..thats the type of society we now live in.

Stay away from Midas unless you have worked with one for 10-15 years and have a personal trust relation with them built over many years. I trust none of them in Florida. Thats why the State forced over 200 of them out of business years ago in the West Coast Tampa area for FRAUD! IT APPEARS THEY ARE RIGHT BACK AT IT. ...BUT NOT FOR LONG IF THEY GET EXPOSED!

I surely hope you didn't pay these crooks. you could but 4 rotors 4 calipers and 4 sets of pads for about 4-500 bucks. they wanted 900 to fix wifes van, i fixed it for $120. which included a new rotor, new drum new wheel cylinder and all new brake pads. tell them to put it back together and take it to a reputable shop. Here is where they will tell you its too dangerous for you to drive it off the lot so you must have them fix it.