Midas Auto Systems

Review: On June 19th I stopped at my local Midas shop after work to discuss a brake problem with my 2001 Jeep Wrangler. I spoke with a Mechanic named [redacted]. I told him that on May 3rd I was at my son's fiancés mothers house getting ready for my son's wedding. When I left their house to head to the church, my brakes made a noise and were not working properly. I proceeded to head to the church. After the wedding ceremony, held in New Berlin, I had family members follow me home to drop off my Jeep.

The next day I drove my Jeep back to their house for the gift opening. I had my son check my Brake fluid. He found it to be empty. He followed me to Auto Zone to purchase Brake fluid thinking that may have been the issue.

I explained to [redacted] that I have been using my son's winter truck since that day, May 4th. As I am still paying off a plumbing repair from a basement flood I experienced I didn't have the money prior to get my Jeep fixed. Recently I had noticed a large fluid spot by my back passenger tire, which I assumed was brake fluid. When I then checked my brake fluid dispenser it was empty.

[redacted] asked where I lived. I explained that I lived just a couple blocks from the Midas Shop. He said I could stop by after work the next day, June 20th. I could drive him to my house and he would fill up the brake fluid and then he would drive my Jeep back to the Midas Shop. He stated he would look my Jeep over on June 20th, or first thing Saturday morning to verify what would need to be repaired and any costs involved. I was told the estimate would be free. [redacted] stated that he understood my financial situation and would be able to work with me in a payment arrangement so I could get my Jeep fixed. He said if the cost would not be much I could make 2 payments, but if it was going to be more expensive I could make 3 payments**. I was impressed by the level of Customer Service that was being offered and agreed to go ahead with what was offered.

On June 20th after work I proceeded to the Midas shop. [redacted] was there as promised. He grabbed a bottle of brake fluid and we proceeded to my house. Once there, he filled up my brake fluid dispenser in my Jeep. [redacted] stated he would check my Jeep over first thing in the morning Saturday, June 21st, and call me**.

**Things went downhill from there. Saturday morning I waited and received no phone call. Saturday at 12:01pm I called Midas. I spoke to [redacted], who stated he had not looked at my Jeep yet. When I asked why, he stated that they were busy. I didn't understand, based on the fact that my Jeep was there since Friday night. It was only being looked at for an initial estimate and should have been the first car looked at based on what I was told the night prior. At around 2:15pm I went in person to Midas. My Jeep was parked outside in the lot. [redacted] said he had not had a chance to look at my Jeep yet. When I asked why based on what he told me Friday, he said " I figured you had another car to use so there wasn't any rush to look at the Jeep". I realized this was not going to be a good experience. As Midas is closed on Sunday, I was now assured my Jeep would be looked at on Monday. I explained I would be at work, to please call me.

**On Monday [redacted] called me at 12:08pm. He stated he checked the Jeep and found the rear right side wheel cylinder was leaking and that the shoes and drums needed to be replaced. He also stated the front brakes were bad and should be replaced in 1-2 weeks. [redacted] stated that once they would do the work explained they may also find an additional problem with the brake line that they couldn't see until the work would actually be done? I was told it would cost $560.00 for the back and $880 for the back and the front. Plus $125.00 for each brake line if needed. I told [redacted] that seemed expensive and asked what would be the minimum I would have to pay if I decided to go ahead with the repair. [redacted] stated I would half to pay half. I reiterrated to [redacted] the prior arrangement he had ok'd for me. He now stated that due to other prior customers ripping them off that he could not let me do a payment arrangement. He said he had told me prior "MAYBE, not "YES". This is ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. If so, I would not have wasted my time on Thursday/Friday and Saturday. I told [redacted] to put my Jeep back together and that I would stop by after work and have it towed back to my house. He called my phone at 12:36pm and left me a message stating that after work I would only need to pick up my key, that he drove my Jeep back to my house and also stated that he was now able to get me a lower price? I called [redacted] back at 1:18pm. I told him that he did not have prior permission from me to drive my Jeep back to my house. I specifically stated that I would have the Jeep towed to my house. His answer was that he was doing me a favor. My answer to that is that I could press charges for taking my Jeep without permission. I asked him what would have happened if he would have hit someone with my Jeep, or if someone would have hit him. He did not have an answer to those questions. **After work I picked up my Jeep key and asked to speak to the Manager. [redacted] stated he was the Manager. I then asked why if he was the Manager would he have made an arrangement with me that he now denied me? He stated the Owner said it could not be done. I asked for the Owners name and number and was outwardly told I could not contact the owner. I then advised [redacted] I would be contacting the Revdex.com. His comment was WHATEVER!!! I also advised [redacted] that my Jeep has a tracking device through my insurance company, which tracks driving. Proofing that he drove my car.Desired Settlement: I would like to be compensated for all of my inconvenience, misinformation given and the agreement promised and not followed through on. I can then find a reputable auto repair shop to fix my Jeep.

Business

Response:

This issue is blown way out of proportion. She stopped by our store on Thursday June 19 in a different vehicle and stated she had brake problems with another car and the Jeep had a low brake pedal and stated she had money problems. She also mentioned that her basement just flooded, and she just paid for her son's wedding. She told us we could have time with the vehicle. Our manager made her an appointment to bring the vehicle in on Friday the 20th at 5:00 pm. He was going to help her bring vehicle to our shop. He waited until 6:15(store closes at 6) and drove with her in her truck and he took brake fluid along and went to her house to pick the Jeep up. He put brake fluid in the vehicle and drove it back to the shop. She came in on Saturday after 2:00 pm made a comment that "wow you're really busy". [redacted] told her Saturday is always our busiest day and said I'm sorry we couldn't get to it but he would look at it Monday first thing. He called her Monday a little after 10 am and told her what was wrong and she declined the work. She told [redacted] she couldn't even afford half of the cost. She inquired about a payment plan and [redacted] told her he would need half down and then the balance it two weeks. The reason for the low brake pedal is the right rear wheel cylinder was leaking along with some other issues with the brakes. She mentioned she would have to have it towed back to her house. [redacted] thought she had to pay for a tow and thought he was doing her a favor by driving the Jeep the 3-4 blocks to take the vehicle to her house. He did not leave the key with the vehicle so there were no issues with the key ending up in the wrong persons hands. The bottom line is he picks up her vehicle after hours, for no charge, inspects her vehicle again for no charge, and delivers her vehicle to her house again at no charge. In her comments she wants to be compensated for her time? We offered to put one year pads and economy drums and rotors to help with the cost and offered a potential payment plan and she also was driving another vehicle. I've been in this business for over 30 years and I've done a lot of deliveries and picked up many vehicles. In closing if the vehicle was to be towed back to the house and she was afraid to drive it where does the inconvenience come in from not being able to drive a vehicle that you won't drive in it's current condition? We would still be willing to help her with her troubled Jeep. Our shop does courtesy shuttles, and deliveries all the time this is the first time I've gotten a complaint over going above and beyond the call of duty. It was okay for [redacted] to go help her pick her vehicle up but it was not okay to return the Jeep to her house to help her out? Thanks for hearing our side of the story

Sincerely,

Owner

Consumer

Response:

I took my truck in for brake and exhaust work the prices where astronomical. when I picked up the truck I drove it casually (to work and back) I was pulled over a week after the work was done only to learn from a Muskego police officer that not only was my exhaust broke but it was done illegally because they did not install catalytic converters. they fixed the broken exhaust which then broke again 1 week later due to a poor weld job, I also found they still had not added catalytic converters. the last time I confronted them they refused to fix their mistake and then told me I would have to pay them to fix THEIR faulty work. I confronted the manager (in a calm civilized manor) his responses to any of my questions or concerns where rude, smug, and all very unprofessional. I would NEVER recommend this shop to anyone