Pep Boys Automotive Scammed us with excessive charges, no estimate given, and problem still there after leaving shop. El Cajon, California

On Jan. 12, 2010, we took our KIA Sportage to the El Cajon Pep Boys at approx. 9 AM for service due to a check engine light which had come on.  Service agent Kyle wrote up the service ticket.  He later called us stating that the computer advised the engine was mis-firing and he offered a $510 computer study which would only define the problem, but would not fix it. We declined the offer.

Kyle then informed us that all of the belts were cracked and needed to be replaced.  He never offered an estimate nor did he ever call with an estimate before doing the work.  We would have never accepted the job had we known what the bill would be.  We certainly did not think the bill would exceed $200.

We never received a call when the work was finished and finally called late in the afternoon, only to find out that it had been ready for most of the afternoon.  Our bill was $376.84 and we felt victimized, scammed and ripped off by these people who offer a motorist assurance program, which is supposed to be so customer friendly. 

By the way, our check engine light is still on.  Thanks for nothing Pep Boys.