Meineke Car Care Center Clayton

On 10/15/14 I requested an alignment with my vehicle. No service was completed but they wanted to charge $20. On 10/15/14 I took my car in to Meineke, Clayton for a 4 wheel alignment. My car is a foreign car. I waited while my car was driven into the service center and looked at. The mechanic came back and said to me that the equipment needed for my vehicle was not available and my car could partially be serviced. I told the mechanic, "Thanks, but no thanks". "I did not want partial service (2 wheels only). Afterwards I was told by the Mechanic and Manager that I would be charged $20. I questioned "Why" and no justifiable answer was given. Finally, I was told "nevermind". I am submitting this complaint because how many people are being charged for nothing. If you know immediately that the equipment needed for a particular vehicles is not available then the car should not be taken to a work stations nor charged. If this is tax free money, not documented, this is stealing from hard working consumers trying to get their vehicles serviced with honesty and integrity. Desired SettlementAn audit of documented funds to make sure consumers are not being taken advantage of. Business Response Customer did in fact come into our store and asked for a 4 wheel alignment.The customer signed an authorization work order for us to perform the work for $79.95. We road tested the customer vehicle to match her problems and then brought into our shop to perform the alignment. When we had the car set up and we where going through the process we noticed this car requires a special tool to perform rear toe/camber. But we where able to perform the front end alignment- where her problem was! Remember customer signed off for the work! Customer was told upfront that some of these cars need special tools and that it is best to have the car aligned by the dealer. We recommended for her to go their since we can not complete the job 100%. We only asked for $20.00 for the time and effort we put into trying to help her. This customer states that we are trying to take something for nothing. Well that is simply not the point. My tech drove your car and set it up on the machine- That takes almost 15-20mins. Most other shops would have done the alignment and charged her more and wouldn't have even done it because they can't. So we where very honest with her and only asked for what we where entitled too. When the customer didn't like the fact that she had to pay for the service $20.00- I myself the manager told her " Hey listen don't worry about it- what I would like to do since we couldn't complete the job-I would rather you take the money you where going to spend here and have the dealer fix it. So the job can get done right!! Don't worry about the $20.00 I know your on your lunch break- lets get you back their and sorry We couldn't fix your problem today! Once again where can you get that much upfront honesty!?

Damage to the rims of both rear wheels by using an air hammer to remove a locking bolt once the key broke. and failure to inform me in regards to thisI have had the worse experience with your franchise in Clayton, NC. I went in for an oil change and after the inspection they told me my rear brakes were beyond terrible and needed to be replaced immediately, they quoted me a price and told me I could even apply for a credit to cover the services. I didn't even think twice about it and I went ahead and told them to start working on it. My car was not ready until 3:30pm. At checkout they explained to me that they had a bit of a hard time removing the rear wheels and that the locking bolt broke and they had to remove them completely so I would no longer have a locking bolt nor the key to remove the locking bolt for that broke as well. I was very upset for the front two wheels still had the locking bolts and if I was to need to replace them in case of a flat on the road I would not be able to without the key. I asked who would be responsible for this and they stated it was not their fault, but the company who installed my tires last put the locking bolt on too tight. They stated I needed to take it up with them ([redacted]). Finally after minutes of discussing this with him and getting nowhere, I checked out and went to take my car home. prior to entering my car I went to lock at my tires since they no longer had a locking bolt. It was them that I noticed that the meineke employees had beyond damaged both my rear rims and did not even care to let me know (maybe expecting my to never even look at my tires and notice it) I went back to speak with "[redacted]" to see why he would not have informed me of this huge damage they caused my wheels if we had just spent over 10 minutes discussing the damage tothe locking bolts and their lock of responsibility! There was no true explanation, it gave me his number and stated he would call me later or friday morning to let me know if there was anything they could do to help with the rim situation. I had [redacted] take pictures and I too myself took pictures of how badly they damaged my rims. I have yet to hear from [redacted] with a solution. I very upset, went to [redacted] to see if they could do anything in the matter. I was informed by them that the locking bolt key does wear out in time, and that sometimes they do break, but there are tools to remove the locking bolt without causing damage in those circumstances. I showed them my rims and the locking bolt key that Meineke returned to me and they stated with much certainty that it looks like Meineke tried to use the proper tool to remove the locking bolt after the key broke, but later decided to use an air hammer to remove it which is what caused all the damage! I am so upset that I didnt come to my regular tire specialist for this brake job. It would have been cheaper and without all this stress. but I thought I would give Meineke a try since I was already there that morning, BIGGEST mistake EVER!!! I will make sure that all my friends and family know to not go to a meineke for they have truely bad work ethics and lack of responsibility. If they were truely having a hard time with the locking bolt, I would have preferred them to tell me they were unable to do the brake job then to have damaged my car which I have worked really had at maintaining. I am truly upset and disappointed beyond words.Desired SettlementBoth Rear Rims need to be replaced. Locking bolts with new key need to be placed on all 4 tires since I no longer have a key for the other 2 front tires. A refund or discount for services rendered due to the damage and stress they have done to my car and myself, for lack of communication and trying to be sneaky in not telling me of the damage, and lack of responsibility!Business Response Contact Name and Title: [redacted] Store ManagerContact Phone: [redacted]Customer was explained in detail why this happened! Another company that did her work last put the wheel locks on SO TIGHT (over 150 foot pounds of torque) and stripped her wheel lock/and tool. Also by being put on so tight- they dug into the actual bolt hole for the rim. They were seized on the rim and the last company never even told her before she left their location! So when we(3-5 month after) tried to remove the wheel lock-it broke instantly! We have tools to remove wheel locks without damaging rims (in most case) this case was extreme and the tools to remove would not work! This will lead to damage to the rims! Customer was told about it up front after service (a 15 minute conversation before she left!) explained in detail what happened- what could of happened if she had a flat tire etc... WE TOLD CUSTOMER THAT WE WOULD BUY HER RIMS TO FIX THE ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE AT NO COST TO HER! WE JUST NEED A DAY OR TWO TO FIND THE PART. This was told once again before she left! We contacted the customer once again before this complaint even happened. We once again told her we will buy her all new locking lug nuts- but the front two she had to go and have removed from previous company and that we are once again putting new rims on her car at no charge! Waiting for an update from customer. Thank you, I just want everyone to know when they read this- We never tried to hide this- We were upfront we said we will buy her new rims and wheel locks! We go above and beyond to make our customers happy! No other place in Johnston County does that!Thank you Consumer Response According to the response from Meineke, Meineke states my locking bolt and tools were stripped prior to me entering Meineke's facility by a previous company. That may sound wonderful on their end, but is completely false! my locking bolts were not stripped before service were done at Meineke. I usually check my tires after service is done to see how the work was performed and I would have noticed any stripping of the bolts. There was no damage what-so-ever to my locking bolts prior to entering Meineke. Furthermore, Meineke states that they had a detailed conversation of all damage prior to me leaving their facility (15min conversation). This is also FALSE. The 15min conversation they had with me was regarding the damage to the locking bolts and the key to remove them. They also showed me the bolt and the key broken, which I kept. No information or conversation was had about the damage to the rims by Meineke, only the locking bolts and key. Only after I saw the damage and re-entered Meineke were the rims discussed. Would also like to state that at no time did Meineke state they would replace my rims or locking bolts on the day of the accident. They clearly stated, "we will see how we might be able to help you" and said they would call me back that day or the next.Also like to state that Meineke only called me back on the following day because they noticed the complaint I posted to the Meineke corporation site. They called me back to state that they did not appreciate me putting a bad name to their business. They also stated they were working on seeing how they might be able to help (never actually saying "we will replace your damaged rims"). And then I didn't hear from them again until a week later stating they had my rims to replace them. I am very upset at how they state they gave me full information of the damage, when they clearly DID NOT. I know that I have received my services from them but I didn't ask for the damage or the frustration and stress received by the service they had rendered. I also do NOT appreciate the incorrect information given by Meineke in regards to this complaint, I wish they had handled the situation the way they described it, but honestly they did not, and they need to own up to it. Business Response After installing two new Wheels and the new Nut Lock Set in the four wheels, we want to express again our sincere apologies for the inconvinience.

Complaint$1,272.45 was paid for repair. My car is still not fixed August 6th. 2014 on my way to work, the car stopped would not start. Called [redacted] and it was towed to Meineke Car Care Center #2370 in Clayton. They did numerous repairs: Removed & Replace engine coolant(universal) Drain & refil coolant system with new engine coolant(universal)global engine coolant,Basic oil change includes:35 point inspection,up to 5qts.oil,oilfilter,air pressure check. All of the above was maintenance? amt:$70.45 Then the repairs: Eng.Diagnostic Labor $89.99,Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump #[redacted] was put on adjustments as required, inspect balance of valve train and related components. Idle Air Control Motor#[redacted] $350.. Valve Cover Gasket Set#[redacted] $65.00. End of repairs. Now I was told that I would need "Idle Air Control, Car may ride rough until part is replaced" and yes I would need a "Oil Change" I was also advised there my other issues with vehicle need to do the "Timing Belt" to get vechicle running! Well these things were done, Picked up the car 8/6/2014 paid by [redacted] $1,272.45 got home turned off the vehicle. Tried to start it again it would run for awhile and then cut off! Had it toyed back to them Wednesday night.Called them Thursday morning they said they were checking it. Well, they said they can not fix it!Desired SettlementThey could not fix my car! All of the Maintenance they did before even addressing the problem was not necessary!$70.45. And to call and say you need all of these other parts Timing Belt etc.etc. Is absolutely outrageous! Now i've given you all this money and I still don't have a car! I can not belive this!Thank you, Business Response Contact Name and Title: [redacted]- Store ManagerContact Phone: [redacted]Contact Email: [redacted]Customer above had his car towed in for his Timing belt being broke in which he was driving when the belt broke! A interference engine when the timing belt breaks/or jumps causes major damage to the engine internals! Customer was told in extreme detail the complications -and what is associated with this problem (meaning additional work may be needed) BEFORE any work was even started! Customer received a fantastic deal to do his timing belt kit $900.00 for a complete timing belt kit! Average price is $1,350.00 at most corporate shops! We understood this customer needed his car back up and running so we at Meineke Clayton did the timing belt kit within a couple of hours! Customer was told once again (the same day) Their still may be complications with the engine drive the car for a day or two and let us know if anything new comes up.Customer signed off on his final invoice with all notes written in complete detail about possible problems and drove the car home. Next morning car was back which we had a strong feeling that it would be for previous statement above. Car was overheating and shutting off- Problem did not happen while in the shop- car had been running for at least 2 hours before pick up. Never overheated once! So we checked everything we did the previous day- nothing we did was broke, damaged, loss of coolant or defective parts caused his NEW problem. We diagnosed his problem- at no charge and reported that he needs to have the engine valves adjusted/replaced! The exhaust valves where barely opening and closing causing the motor to run at extreme heat and then shutting off- Customer was told once again in extreme detail that the cylinder heads may need to be rebuilt or valves adjusted/replaced- Some of the valves may have had been damaged due to the timing belt breaking while driving- That this is very common when the timing belt breaks! Customer was not charged for the diagnoses for the second visit! We referred him to a local machine shop that does this work- and offered to remove the cylinder heads for him next to nothing to help him save money on the machine labor! Customer declined service we offered and we haven't heard anything back from him about our offer. We did the best we could with what little we had to work with- The customer has been involved and shown every step of the way! So we here at Meineke Clayton do understand the trouble this customer is going through- but we are not responsible for something that happened prior to us even starting on it! We started with what the problem was- the source of his vehicle being towed in for. Which was his timing belt that broke while driving.