Complaint Review: Midas Auto Service Experts - Wichita Kansas

My wife first called Rapid Muffler and they quoted a very ridiculous and outrageous price of $600.00 for replacing catalytic converters in my 1982 F150 pick up. Thought that was what was wrong with my company owned truck. It was blowing black smoke out tail pipe. This truck has been running like a dream and never has been giving any trouble for the 2 years we've had it. One turn key starting and never dieing in the road.

Well we called the Midas shop and they said about 189.00 to replace the converters if that was what was wrong. We drove it in just fine and was told we would have to pay a diagnostic fee of 35.00 and labor and parts for whatever wrong. That's fine we need it checked.

A couple of hours later they called and said it was the spark plugs, rotor and distributor cap, but the 2 catalytic converters were getting air flow okay. Okay that's fine, cause if that's all it is wrong I'll just let them do it. It would cost 177.00.

Normally things like that I can do myself, but it's been a busy time and I was tired. So I thought when we picked it up it would be fine. The man said the carburator (California Slide) was one they didn't know about and it might be going bad. Well I paid for what they did do thinking well maybe the carbarator would be another time type deal and got my keys and then the truck wouldn't start.

I got nervous then very much and my wife and I thought the man was being quiet and kind of sneaky acting inside anyway. The younger fellow (mechanic) came out and tried to start it and he floored the gas pedal and then it started. Then he said to my wife and I that the ignition module might be bad and said we could get one at O'Reilly's Auto Parts for about 100.00.

On the way with the truck it died on the road. Took a while to restart it and then again died and restarted it and finally made it home. I decided to go to O'Reilly's to get the module he spoke of and it was 20.00 and not 100.00. Thought that was good and put it on this morning. Started right up but not needing the truck till tommorrow I decided to wait till about 4:00 to test drive it also. It started fine, died about ten blocks away and couldn't get it restarted. So I called a Ford Dealer and they currently have it and will check it in the morning.

I don't feel I should be paying for the diagnosis charge of 35.00 and I feel I shouldn't have gotten stuck on the road and having to pay towing fee and diagnosis at the dealer and dealer prices for this problem right now. It should have been test driven by the shop and fixed. Here is their claim of advertising on their leaflet:

When you think about it, you've invested a lot of money in your car for one simple reason; to get you there.

At Midas, we want to make sure your investment pays off. We've got everything you need to keep your car going and the people to do the job right. We'll tell you what, if anything, needs to be repaired. And we'll do it with fair prices and honest answers.

Fact is, people know that if they want their investment to keep going, they go to Midas.

I am very upset right now and even though their is a 90 day warranty I don't feel I should go back there, cause they already admitted to not knowing my carbarator and had a chance to make it right when it wouldn't start out of their parking lot. I will probably have to go to legal means with them now.

Robert

Wichita, Kansas