Meineke
Reviews and Complaints
Lack of honesty IMHO
See their response in the screenshot. My google review was:
Now that Meineke responded below I will respond here.
At no time was I disrespectful below. I states exactly what happened. Notice there was no denial of my statements. It is not rude to let the world know how a company tried to pad their bill.
If the owner of this Meineke called me instead of bashing me below I may have updated this with a positive follow up review. As with the service, in my opinion, his response lacks honesty, integrity, and respect.
I am new to New Orleans and started getting a thumping sound from the front end. I tried to figure it out myself and everything in the front end was tight. I had just put new axles in a couple of months ago so it wasnt even a thought.
Since I was clueless on who to take it to, I went to Meineke. NEVER AGAIN!!! My two brothers used to own multiple Meinekes in New Jersey and I had worked with them on the weekends for decades, so I went there.
Now I had done a full check of the front end and everything was tight. I told them I couldnt figure it out and that I had just replaced both axles in June.
However it was the drivers side axle. List price for an axle is $200, wholesale to Meineke would be in the low hundred. Book repair time is an hour, $120 is standard hourly rate. So it should have been between $320 on the low end and $400 on the high end.
For just that they wanted $531.
But then they said I needed hub with bearings because the broken axle would have damaged it. They wanted to tack on like another $800. They said it was pot hole damage so it would have damaged the bearings too. When I looked at it at Smiling Chucks after Chuck fixed it, there was no outside damage to indicate it was hit with force.
Second, I had the car up on jacks and there was zero play in the front end. I checked everything including the ball joints, bearings, k-frame bushings, tie rod ends, steering arms, and stabilizer links. Everything was solid! And yes, I used a pry bar.
Of course, sometimes bearings can be going bad with no play. But in that situation you would be hearing a whirring sound. There was none.
Of course they also tried to tell me I needed both axles claiming if you change one you should always buy both. They were both brand new and one was just defective.
If they were both original she would have been 100% correct. But I had just told her both were just replaced.
Then they wanted to sell me a front wheel alignment at $150. I asked why I needed an alignment and she said its always needed with front end work. I was like no!
You pop the tie-rod out and pop it back in. The only reason an alignment would be needed is if your guy turns the tie-rod end and that theres no reason at all to do that. She replied with, theres no way I can guarantee that. In my head I was thinking, I just spoke to your mechanic and he is definitely knowledgeable.
It would take some serious incompetence for that tie-rod end to turn.
Then there was a recomendation to replace my air filter at $75. Yes! An air filter! Which, by the way, you can still see light through.
Next item was an exhaust hanger.
The broken piece was a $10 rubber piece with two holes. It slides on and off. One hole slides onto a preexisting metal rod connected to the frame and the other hole onto the rod connected to the exhaust. If you cant go to the bin, take one over to the car, and pop in on in less than 5 minutes, maybe you should stick to fixing tricycles.
Worst case scenario is that you need to hit it with a spray of WD40. Asking price, $125. At my brothers shop, he charged $20.
The only thing I really needed outside of the axle were new tires. These were actually reasonably priced.
And had I bought the new tires I would definitely got an alignment.
When I went home I googled auto repair shop. When I scrolled down I saw Smiling Chucks and something just said to me, this is going to be a good man. He charged me $350 including taxes. Heck, he thought I overpaid and tried to give me a hundred back.
But I showed him he had made a math mistake and gave him back the $100. Now thats how integrity should work.
User's recommendation: No go
The mechanic at the location on Indian River Road in Virginia Beach purposely damaged my fog, lights to pet failed inspection
User's recommendation: Keep an eye on the personnel who are working on your vehicle. They may try to God you for more money.
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Verified Reviewer | Henderson, NevadaLack of knowledge
- Lack of integrity
Preferred solution: Full refund
User's recommendation: Do not go here ever
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Verified Reviewer | London, EnglandAfter failing MVA emissions test because of red warning light, took car to Meineke twice and paid them $690+ and they failed to repair, Took car once to MR. TIRE AP and they repaired fir $150.
- Too many to enumerate too many too many too many
Preferred solution: nothing
User's recommendation: Avoid Meineke!
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Verified Reviewer | Ciudad Real, Castille-La ManchaI have not heard from anyone and I’ve tried several different contact phone numbers. Good luck finding corporate complaints department/ customer relations.
- Convenience
- Fraudulent actions
Preferred solution: Full refund
User's recommendation: Stay away! Substandard employees. Worse than the ones at home warranty companies. More like high school dropouts wearing a title!
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Verified Reviewer | Virginia Beach, VirginiaHomophobic store employee
Preferred solution: Full refund
Illegal activities; fraud; stolen vehicle
Response to Mr. Zef,
You are 1000% correct in your statement/complaint.
I believe you are trying to locate the Franchise owner Gordon McCarthy I believe and District Manager Robert Biddle. I believe the Benjamin Luffell you refer to is part of the group who financed the franchise.
Yes, these people are 100% crooks. I know for a fact they up charge and require their employees to do so. They cant keep employees.
They work them over 60 hours a week and dont pay them. No time off. My next call is the labor commission. Ive already contacted the local PD and reported my car stolen.
These people have a large and lucrative contract with a well known car rental company. These particular charge this rental company to install catalytic converters. There is a part that isnt absolutely necessary to keep on the install. These crooks dont replace that part but charge the rental company for it any way which is over $400 per vehicle.
I went to three different shops owned by this group and was up charged and told the same story about the repairs my car should have. My car didnt need such repairs at all. A simple filter that costs $12 is up charged to the customer for $50. Ive reached out to corporate and havent received a response.
I gave them names, shops and factual incidents.
I cant imagine a corporation would choose to be affiliated with crooks that are franchised under their umbrella. Maybe corporate is in on the fraudulent dealings as well.
User's recommendation: This franchise is ran by criminals. They literally steal your mone
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Verified Reviewer | Monroeville, PennsylvaniaDamages done at one of your franchises
Preferred solution: Full refund
User's recommendation: Don't go there.EVER
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Verified Reviewer | Monroeville, PennsylvaniaDamage to vehicle
- Failure to accept responsibility
- Damage
Preferred solution: Full refund
User's recommendation: Never go to Meineke
This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ
Verified Buyer |This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified Reviewer | Fort Worth, TexasOver charged
Update on the robbery of my grandson by the Meineke Car Care Center at 5031 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth,TX. This franchise is apparently owned by MTH2 LLC from Dallas, but with an address on Bryant Irvin Rd (above).
MTH2s CEO is Benjamin Leffell. I have tried to communicate with Robert (wouldnt give me his last name), but no success so far.
The Meineke company is owned by owned by Driven Brands hqd in Charlotte, NC and their CEO is Jonathan Fitzpatrick.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, I have read your bio and corporate mission. You talk about Integrity in your mission statement, therefore I strongly suggest that you sanitize your portfolio and sell your Meineke stock.
Before it goes to worthless.
Based on the over 1000 bad reviews on the internet, the Meineke employees and managers a riddled with people who are operating on the edge ( if not over it) running a legitimate business.
Apparently, they routinely rip customers off , lie to customers, do repairs that are not needed, over charge customers and are extremely vulgar and rude to their customers. Follow my advice and get out while you can
I will never (and highly recommend to everyone who reads this complaint) to never never never do business with Meineke.
Larry Toups
- Staff was terrible and extremely rude
Preferred solution: Price reduction
User's recommendation: Don’t do business with these crooks…
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Verified Reviewer | Fort Worth, TexasOver charged
Consumer's Information Summary Individual/BusinessFirst NameMiddle NameLast NameAgeDoing Business AsPrimary PhoneExtensionSecondary PhoneExtensionEmailBusiness/Individual Business NamePhone ExtensionWebsite EmailIndividualLarryEmileToups65 or overIndividual(512)...
Business'/Individual's Information SummaryBusinessMeineke Car Care Center(817) 900-****Address 1 Address 2CityCountyStateZip/Postal Code Country5031 Bryant Irvin RdFort Worth TarrantTX76132 United StatesPage 1 of 3 Name of person you dealt withHow did you first come...
Filed complaint with BBB. Rejected for unknown reasons.Filed with TX Atty General.
No response yet.
Files several complaints with Meineke management and owners of their private shares.Filed complaints with you. No action…Still waiting…
The store manager Chris ( would not give his last name) was very very rude and should be removed.
A Rick (wouldnt give his last name) called from MTH2 LLC (owns the franchise?) also called me and was extremely rude. He also has no place dealing with customers or the public.
- This store is run and owned by criminals
Preferred solution: Price reduction
User's recommendation: Stay far far away from this company.
Worst place ever
User's recommendation: Run as far as you can from this business.
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Verified Buyer |This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified Reviewer | Glendale, ArizonaRobbery
Upon Derek the manager on site said he uses oem parts that’s why the cost, I said NO that’s something you ask the customer if they want you don’t decide their money situation!!! No resolution!!
I get my car and the windshield wipers don’t work, the engine over heats, the ac doesn’t work, all 4 tires were at 13 psi, the turn signal lever doesn’t work, mind you all of this worked!!!! Idk what to do I was done wrong and this company could careless!!!!
- Vain
- Not about the customer
- Thieves
Preferred solution: Price reduction
User's recommendation: Stay clear go to Midas instead
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Verified ReviewerWilliam Beaver at store 1134 is taking advantage of women and charging astronomical mark up on parts because these women don’t know.
Invoice # 63574 from store 1134. Im sure you could pull that up and understand why Im highly frustrated.
Almost charged 350% up charge on an alternator and about 450% up charge on a serpentine belt, the rates and hours of the job dont match the price that was charged for labor. The job pays 1.6 hours and with the labor rate being 135.99 that comes to 217.58 not 299.18. Even if tax is added to labor its not even close. Was told there was a diagnostic fee waved but there wasnt a reason to do a diagnostic.
Also the pre scan or diagnostic was not shown to prove it was even done. This is the second time Ive reached out trying to resolve this problem. Something needs to be done with William Beaver at this location. Hes preying on women for not knowing whats going on with their car.
My name is Ryan Wert and I can be reached at (803) 524-****.
Please give me a call so we can resolve the problem at hand. Thank you
- William beaver is a manager
Preferred solution: Price reduction
User's recommendation: Don’t go to this store as long as William Beaver is the manager there
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Verified ReviewerIf I could give this McMinnville Meinke a zero star I would
I experienced the worst service Ive ever had at this McMinnville location. Michael is the worst mechanic Ive ever come across.
I went in for an oil change and AC service and left with a broken down car that has $0 value when it was a 2011 Chevy equinox with a $3,000+ value with the condition it was in. He took my engine apart to see what was wrong with the engine noise and quoted me a $11,000 repair! I had to obviously decline and his bad attitude and lack of care made it even worse. When I went to pick up my vehicle he didnt have it ready and I watched him in minutes throw parts back into my engine did and sent me on my way.
My car sounded 10x worse and it broke down a block away from meieke. I have 3 witnesses who inspected my car and told me that Meineke, Michael did not put any oil in my car like he said he did and bolts were missing and parts missing from my engine! It seemed like he completely sabotaged my car because I refused to pay $11,000 for repairs! I was forced that same day to by a new car and now Im out $3,000-5,000+ dollars because I went there to only get a oil change!
The Chevy had $0 value being a ruined engine and I went in with a driving car that had no check engine light on to a broke down vehicle with the check engine light on! They had the nerve to blame me when I called the owner/manager some rude woman who I hadnt worked with before and who denied they did anything wrong! Total bogus rip off of a place! These people dont care and took advantage of a single young woman.
Im completely pissed and looking to purse the local news since they dont seem to care about customer service and made my car 100x worse than it was!! Dont go here unless you want to be ripped off! I had to buy a new car which was unexpected and incredibly expensive and they had the nerve to make me feel worse about the situation when it was 100% their fault. I wish I never went there.
Michael saw he could take advantage and he was a total mean person to me and heartless. The female manager was in on the scam as well. Rude people. If they want to blame me thats funny cuz Ive been to that same location for 6 months already spent $3,000 in engine repairs and oil changes so they are the ones who had been servicing my car this whole time (not Michael his name was Nathan and he doesnt work there I guess anymore) so if they want to blame me when Ive paid them so much money and used them before.
Dont go here! I believe the woman is named Crystal, most unprofessional manager ive also ever encountered.
Both are clearly scam pros, avoid this location! McMinnville OR location #2177 avoid, avoid!
- Went there before
- New guy michael scammed me
Preferred solution: Full refund
User's recommendation: Avoid this location unless you wanted to be SCAMMED
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Attached is the actual bill showing that my grandson was actually charged $1,633.68 to replace his alternator and battery (which wasn’t necessary) I would like to see their invoice for the alternator that retails for over $1,000.00. The tech must have been pretty incompetent to need that much time to replace an alternator (1 hour at $159.72/hr.) and the battery was $62.29 labor to replace it. WalMart charges $12.00 and AutoZone will do it for free.
Update #2: Got a call from Crystal (wouldn’t give her last name) at Meineke HQ. She was nice, but no help at all.
And “customer relations “ is her job. Useless people at a terrible company.