Complaint Review: Pepboys - Acworth Georgia

I went to this location of Pepboys to have my 2007 Toyota Avalon repaired due to chirping sound.  Initially, they said that the serpentine belt had to be replaced because it was the wrong size.  However, that serpentine belt they mentioned was newly installed by another repair shop but we personally bought that genuine belt from Toyota.  After the repair, they said I had to leave my car over the weekend for them to still check on it.  When I got back to claim the car, the manager told me that the chief mechanic found another problem, which was the alternator.  He said, they had to replace it and I was charged additionally for $659.00 aside from the amount I earlier paid that included the change in brake pads and the belt. 

When I finally got the car to drive it, I noticed that the temperature gauge was shooting up to signal an overheat.  Luckily, I was still near this branch of Pepboys and I reported to them what I had experienced.  Soon to find out,  my water radiator tank was empty.  They refilled it so it was no longer overheating.    After the repair, I had it checked by my friend who had knowledge about my car for he is a car dealer and had a shop in Tennessee.  He immediately pointed out to me that the alternator and the brake pads on the two (2) front wheels were not replaced  because it was even dusty, old and its original alternator.  This was also confirmed to me by Cobb County Toyota. 

Last month, I brought back my car to Pepboys for a change oil. However, I brought with me the oil to be used, which was Mobil 1 5W30 (1 Gallon and 1 Liter).  The manager again, tried to rip me off by telling me that I needed another Liter of oil to complete the service.  I contradicted this by saying to him that I used to have it changed by my friend's shop and personally saw how much is used and I was very sure that the oil I brought in was enough.  So I told him that I will order another liter if I find it short.  I personally viewed the oil change process with the mechanic and sure enough it didn't need another liter.  So I went back to this manager and told me that I was correct and he turned his back to me and hid himself at the back room until I left the store.

Anothing thing I noticed after the repair that Pepboys Chief Mechanic did was that the airconditioning was not functioning properly. The compressor was not kicking on when the car is in motion.  However, when I stepped on the brake for a full stop, that was the only time the compressor would start working.  This time I went straight to Toyota Service Center to have them check my airconditioning system. Their initial check-up showed that I had low freon in the system and they placed a dye to see if there was a leak and where it was coming from.They asked me to drive the car until no cool air is coming out from the vents of my car.  They will examine it later if there is any leak in the system with that dye they placed.

I am really so frustated with the service Pepboys (this branch) rendered to my car.  Yes, the chirping noise on my car was corrected but other problems cropped up. I don't know why they are doing this to their customers.  After reading today all those bad reviews about this company, I am suspecting that they are intentionally ripping off their customers nationwide.  Unfortunately, the manager and the chief mechanic on this branch of Pepboys are still working for them.