Today I had a Megan M-RS muffler installed and high beam lights swapped at a Meineke Newtown Square, PA location. The new exhaust sounds great! Unfortunately, that is the only positive thing I can say. First of all, I was quoted at over $230 for the job (other places like Midas and Monro gave me much lower quotes, but having a lot of work done at other Meineke locations I decided to spend more but stick with the company I liked. However, that was just the beginning of my disappointment. Second, when I came to pick my car up the guy that worked on my car refused to give me my old (fully working!!!) OEM muffler back claiming "it was thrown out and picked up by scrap truck." Needless to mention I was never asked if I wanted them to throw it away!!! Thats completely ridiculous!!! Third, high beam lights I brought for a swap were Sylvania Ultra Bright White (having used those before I know for a fact that they are indeed bright and WHITE!). The lights that were supposedly "installed" are no different than OEM which tells me that no work was done and that my lights are gone the same mysterious way as the muffler. Again, the shop refused to give the old ones back.
All that sounds like a complete rip off!

Any suggestions on what I can do about this whole situation?

 

Did you talk to the manager at the store? If that doesn't work you can try to contact their corporate service.

 

most states require a shop to return the old parts if requested if the work is over a certain amount. contact your local BBB

 

im sorry man that sucks talk to meinieke corporate... on a side note which mr-s muffler did you buy? would you recommend it? i was thinking of purchasing myself

 

Sheldon, 32krazy!:
The manager refused to do anything about it and there is no corporate info on their website besides some stupid comment card which I did fill out. I also wrote an email to their East Coast Franchise Development Director (the only corp person whose info is on the website). Gonna try to get a hold of their customer service tomorrow (they have already closed today).

robjob941:
The muffler is a Megan M-RS (manufacturer part # MU-MRS). Im gonna try and post a sound clip within the next few days. It is loud and a bit drony at higher speeds, but very deep with no rasp. Sounds very nice and definitely could not be mistaken for a ricer fart can

 

I put some meinieke's on a car of mine around 1980. Two of those expensive lifetime ones. Rusted out in 2 years. They didn't honor the warranty. I haven't been back in 30 some years and never will give them another penny.

Les

 

If that was me I would still be there, locked in or not.

 

Thanx, onehundred80! I was just too shocked by the situation
Besides, I didnt even check the lights till later when it was dark.

 

That would only be because you forgot which way was home...

 

If there is another one near enough, go to them and ask for the phone number for a regional manager.


Also, here is something to try. If that doesn't work, then contact the BBB and lodge a complaint.

Meineke Corporate Office | Headquarters
128 South Tryon Street Suite 900 Charlotte, NC 28202
(704)377-8855

 

Thank you very much for the info! I will definitely give them a call in the morning.

 

No problem, the web is your friend

That said, I did do a reverse look up for the number and it came back with a number of "hits" which seemed to point to Meineke. I would still see about a regional rep.

 

OK Shirley, have some fun at the expense of your elders.

A good trick is to phone the police and say you have just been robbed, you do not let them know you are talking into a dead phone. If they get hostile say to the 'police' that you are in fear of your safety. Then go outside and wait for the 'police'. It works, a buddy did it and he got satisfaction.

 

Good idea! I will keep that in mind in case if the situation turns ugly

 

so what did you find out?

 

You could legitimately contact local law enforcement and make a case for Theft by Deception. Your OEM unit has considerasble value and it was expropriated by deception. I think an investigator would follow up.

Don Hiltz

 

Did you sign a work order by chance? Did they ask you to sign anything before doing the work? If not, your word against theirs. Small claims court for the price of the items you expected to get back. If you did sign a work order, read thru the fine print. You may or may not have a case. Most people don't want the old parts back. But, unless you left it there for a few days, I doubt anything was hauled off. Good luck either way.

 

don't know about your state but here in california you can go to the dept. of motor vechiles.
we have a consumer affairs dept. there.
file a complaint.
also small claims at the courts.
just don't quick.
good luck
bob

 

rut roe shaggy....

no response from this guy, maybe it was really a cover operation for the mafia and he took it too far

 

Lesson learned. Next time you have work done at a commercial shop you advise them you want the old parts back. They will know you know the law and you will have fewer problems. Gary