My experience with Monro (Muffler / Brake)

On November 14, 2009 I took my car to have a muffler put on it at Monro in DuBois, PA. Having heard nothing negative about them, and seeing how they had "muffler" in their company name, I thought it a decent idea.

I knew my car was going to need more than a muffler to pass state inspection, but I had no idea what it would cost to have the work done. I budgeted $300 for a muffler, the pipe leading to the muffler, and the tail pipe. Before you go on, write down what you would have budgeted, and see how close you are.

I told Monro that day that I wanted the cheapest muffler they had, I offered to find one on the side of the road, and have them put it on for me, or noted that I would be happy with a cherry bomb, anything, just cheap. I planned on getting rid of the vehicle, once it was inspected.

The guy brings me into the garage, and shows me the pipe that I figured I would need. He points at a number on his paper and says, it will cost you $391.26 for the work you need.

Now, I budgeted $300, but I had extra in my checking account, so I said if that's what it needs, go for it. I need it done. (I didn't have any idea how much the pipe cost, but I figured they gave me a cheap muffler, and the pipe was big bucks...)

So they call me in an hour or so to come get my car. The bill was $414.74. Apparently when they give you an exact number, they're only joking. That first number didn't include tax.

If they would have given me the number I ended up with, I would have passed, I know it's only $20 more but $400 rings a different bell in my head than a number in the $300 range. Alas, I paid it, and I left.

In the parking lot, I took a look at the bill, my vehicle is a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier. here's the breakdown.

Muffler: $228.99
Tail Pipe: $42.99
Exhaust Pipe: $281.99
Belly Band: $47.98
Discount: $210.69

They charged me over $200 for the "cheapest" muffler they had! You'd think that when I said, I want a $30 muffler, they would have mentioned that the best they could do would be 10 times that price. I work for a company selling and installing doors. If you came into my office and said "I want the cheapest door you have." I'd send you somewhere else. You wouldn't get a door from me you'd be comfortable paying for.

During the week of November 23 (I think it was Wednesday before Thanksgiving in the US) I took my car to a dealer in Reynoldsville, the people I bought the car off of, in 2001. I had them inspect it. I was under the impression that they didn't do exhaust work, and don't ask me why. I don't know.

Anyhow, I went in to pay them for what they had to do. They had my car in the air still, and wanted to ask me about the exhaust. I told them that it was $414 and change, and they laughed at me. They showed me also, that the exhaust pipe had one bolt, rather than 3 in it. So, it's destined to fall off, and be replaced.

I did a little looking around, and found that Monro does a price match for 30 days after the fact. I had my dealer write up an estimate for what they would have charged me. I asked them to use the most expensive parts they could find, I didn't want any problems. They said they could do the whole thing for about $150, but put their estimate within $90 of Monro.

I took the estimate to them on 12/1 when I got my car back, and they said they'd send me a check from the Corporate office for $86 and change, I can't remember the exact amount. But that it would take 2 weeks for me to get the check. I was upset about it, but I left and waited it out.

Last night, I got home from the events of the day, and the check was in my mail box. I opened it, with a feeling of triumph running through me.

$35.28!!! I wanted to punch a kitten!!!!!! (But I didn't)

I called the store this morning, and after they gave me the run around for a while, they told me that the estimate I took in did not have a belly band, or a tail pipe on it, so they could not match apples to apples. I asked him if they made him take an IQ test, and gave me a check that represented $1 for each point he scored, then I suggested that he (the manager) take the day off, and find a job he was good at. He hung up on me.

I think it's over though. I might as well cut my losses, and know that they will never get another penny from me.

Be aware of what you're being sold, make sure you're familiar with the company before you go into something. Don't be afraid to find a better price, because you probably will, in any situation.

I know now, that my dealer does everything, and he knows that I'll be dealing with him, from now on. (Though he still laughs at me.)

Merry Christmas!

 

I never get a auto repair job done without first calling around & getting estimates, written if need be & checking on price matching & warranties.

 

I'm guessing one of the mods here work for Monro.. Odd that stories having to do with computers don't get moved to their corresponding hardware / software / malware subtopic.

My car is neither my pride, joy, toy, or prize possession.

 

OUCH, Pax, did they throw in some new tires for that price? I got mine done at the dealer, and didn't pay that... OUCH! Sounds like they are not to be trusted, for sure.... Yeah, sounds more like punching his lights out! LOL Seriously, find a place you TRUST, and get your service done there. Me, I like the dealer, and before you say, "Oh, but it costs so much!" not really.. Oil change and grease job for less than the quick-lube place... I like the same guys working on mine, they know it, and they are straight with me...

Hope your Dec. goes better

 

Theres about 3 main places around here for muffler and car work. 1 is a real car dealership.. so there always going to be high but there pretty good. 2 and 3 are just guys that make a REP for themself and I really never like one of them to much. One of the guys says my moms engine was blown and couldn't take air into it and to buy a new one. So she listen and bought a new car eventually. Anyways I took the car to a buddys that did demo derby with me and we looked at it and it didn't need anything cept 1 part for 10 bucks. So after stripping old car down already we couldn't do anything about it. But very pissed. Anyways with mufflers.. My mom wanted a regular chip muffler.. well guy ended up charging over 1500 bucks for it. It wasn't even a muffler that fitted on the car and so he had to turn and rebuild the muffler side ways on the car underneath. Now the brandnew car hits and drags on the driveway and even on a 3 in tall bump because this(nice new muffler is so low) like 3 inches max off the ground! Anyways we told him were not happy.

 

The thing that sucked me in was that they gave me the price, I knew what I was getting into, but they did not show me what I was paying for each part. The exhaust pipe they sold me for $281 is available at any parts store for about $90. The muffler I could have picked up for under $50 and the rest is beans, compared to what I paid. I didn't put enough though into it, or I would have saved a lot of money.

It's a lot of their fault, but a lot my own as well.. Which is probably why I am so bitter about it.

 

Yeah well like in my town I live in. Its all high price. But a friend of mine went to some play in the next town and got a whole muffler and the work for 200 dollars. So I was like :confused was it even good work.. lol but its still on there! My family always had crap cars..(meaning no brand new ones) it was always some years old. Anyways the cars and trucks ended up paying for repairs so much she got a brand new car back in 2001. Also That 2001 repairs so far in the 1st few years was out standing. The car she got Every month she would had to take it in for straighting the steering column. And every month it go off bad. After Over a year in a half of taking it in and it being few hundred each time for a poor family.. She just has to deal with it to this day. I told her I thought it was a faulty car to begin with cause all shops have worked on it.