Date:         Thu, 9 Feb 2006 09:53:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Olson <jjolson@GWTC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Olson <jjolson@GWTC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Meineke Brake Job
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2006020911270238@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I've had bad experiences with Meineke and Midas.  Last summer, after
moving all my stuff out of my house into the garage in preparation for
renting it, I started my trip by backing my 82 Honda out of the
driveway.  The car had lots of stuff in it and I have a two inch lip
between dirt and sidewalk.  I backed the muffler into the lip, which had
never happened before, and shoved the muffler back 8" or so.  What a way
to begin a six month vacation!

it worked, and I got to Bend OR before taking it to Midas.  The young
guy got the car up on the lift and started trying to sell me a whole new
exhaust system, from manifold backwards.  I'd had the muffler replaced
just a year ago - using Meineke's lifetime replacement guarantee - and I
could feel my face get tighter and tighter as he pointed out stuff that
needed fixing I knew didn't.

His boss walked up and told him to just do what I asked and then said
they'd do it for $45.  I agreed.  It involved fabricating a two foot
piece and clamping to the existing muffler pipe and muffler.  I think
the boss saw that I was about ready to walk, and he had four guys
standing around with four empty bays.

I think I got away fairly on this one because I was going to call the
young guy's bluff and the boss saw it.  Once the car is up on the rack,
they get 90% of people.  Their sales strategy is well-developed...

Jeff Olson
martin, SD