Meineke Car Care Ctr (on N. Academy)

I'm writing this review because I just saw a review of this Meineke written on 7/22 and wanted to add my two cents. I haven't been there in some time, because I stopped trusting them. I used to go there for all my repairs, simply because it was near to my house, I was new in town, and didn't know a better mechanic to take my car to. I now use Bear Automotive, even though they are much further from where I live. Every repair I have ever had done at Meineke came out higher than anticipated, and literally *every* time they recommend some other repair. Breaks, transmission flush, something. Every time. It's like McDonalds - "would you like to super size that?" No thanks, I don't like to super size my car repair bills. And when getting quotes, I got this used car salesman schpeel, like - "Now normally this repair is $890, but since it's YOU..." <insert sleezy smile, double guns point, and tongue click>. Like seriously every time. The repairs didn't last either. I finally stopped going there after my second repeat repair on the same problem. I'm a little embarrassed it took me that long to find someone else. I highly recommend going somewhere else.

Meineke said compressor leaked copiously and needed to be replaced and refilled with refrigerant R134. My van uses R12 and Meineke should have known that if they tested pressure because the fittings are different. They might argue they really meant to convert from R12 to R134 system but never said so, and omitted a major cost item (the special refill valve that would be needed in a conversion) from their repair bid. If they had actually opened the hood Meineke should have noticed the AC clutch did not engage because its wire was disconnected. I am pretty sure they never even opened the hood, else they could not have made so many mistakes. Yet they charged me $42 for the labor of diagnosis. They also advised an un-needed exhaust pipe replacement due to damage I could not find. Meineke at N Academy and Dublin cannot be trusted to be honest. Customer beware!

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My muffler all but fell off my car when I went over a rather large speed bump. I went to Midas but they didn't have the part in stock. I went to Meinecke and they had the part and it was almost $150 cheaper than Midas had quoted me. My only complaints were that I was quoted a wait time of 1-1.5 hours and had my wife pick me up after waiting for over 3 hours and that when I returned to pick up my car the new tail pipe was sticking out past the bumper of my car by almost a foot. They had to bring the car back in and saw off the excess length which led me to believe that the reason the part was cheap was because it was not the correct part for my car. Regardless I have not had any problems with the repair.

They have been faithful folks to us. They have a lifetime guarantee with their work, which I like. As long as you have the receipt and same car, they will replace it for free. We have used them many times with great results. I do not see anything that they could improve on.

They did a good job. They recommended that I needed tire replacement in the future and if I can back, I would get a discount. They did not pressure me into getting them sooner than needed. They are close to a shopping center and I went there while the work was being done. They did offer to take me there too. They are accurate with the time estimate. When the work was done, the technician drove around with me to make sure the brakes were working properly.

Fine. I will most likely take my car back to them to have my brakes done.

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The service I got was good. They had a special on Veteran’s Day, which I took advantage of. They workers there very nice and professional. I did not have to schedule an appointment, which was convenient. They were pretty accurate with their time estimate as well. Overall, it was a good experience.

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They stated everything looked good on the shocks no need to replace at this time. They did turn the rotors and did some other minor repairs under the hood. They did advise about a hose that was starting to look bad and to get it replaced before fall.

They performed an oil change and replaced the hoses for me. They ran into a problem of not putting the main belt on correctly and shredded it. They replaced with a new belt free of charge; it would have been another $70 for that belt but they made everything right, great people there!

After the Technician returned from a test drive he informed the service manager that the problem was from the Brake Master Cylinder. I paid for the repair (284.00) and began to drive off the lot. Not more that a few feet from the Meineke front door, the same dragging sound was heard. I went back in the store to talk to the manager and he recommended the technician ride along with me to hear the sound. The tech did hear the dragging sound and we went back to the store. I talked to the service manager about the issue and he informed me they were very busy that day and to reschedule for an appointment. I agreed and a few weeks later returned to the store for an appointment. They informed me no problem could be found with the brakes. I again drove off and again returned a week later complaining. This time the Service manager informed me that they had found the problem and it was infact not the brakes at all but a body mount to the frame that was causing the noise. When the brake pedal is slightly pressed the brake dragging changes tone then goes away the more pressure applied. Maybe the brakes are somehow attached to the body mount. Please!!!! I asked him why did they charge me for a Brake master cylinder if it was a body mount. His reply was that on my initial visit I informed him the the brakes were spongy. This is in direct contradiction of the service report that i was provided by him. The report says customer states brakes are dragging. No mention of any sponginess. I contacted the store owner by phone who informed me that he must talk with the service manager and would call me back. A week later, still no call. I sent him an email and have still gotton no reply by him or Meineke. Two earlier visits with a different vehicle ended up with a broken oil fill dip stick and a filthy head liner from oily hands. Stay away! I would not recommend taking any vehicle to this location unless you like unnecessary repairs and no customer service. I will be bringing this up with small claims court.