Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site cbosgd.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!cbosgd!mark From: mark@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Horton) Newsgroups: net.auto,net.consumers Subject: Re: Muffler static Message-ID: <1131@cbosgd.UUCP> Date: Thu, 22-Mar-84 01:28:33 EST Article-I.D.: cbosgd.1131 Posted: Thu Mar 22 01:28:33 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 23-Mar-84 07:23:52 EST References: <1392@aluxe.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus Lines: 38 Yes, I have also been burned by Midas Muffler. I had a 1970 Ford LTD with one of the exhaust pipes broken from rust. I called one exhaust shop and got a quote over the phone of about $55. I called Midas and was quoted about $65. Figuring I'd get the lifetime guarantee, I went to Midas. They put the car up and replaced the "famous Ford Y pipe", then presented me with a bill for about $81. I pointed out the quote of $65, and they said "oh, that doesn't include replacing this other pipe here which always has to be replaced when the Y pipe is replaced." Nobody remembered giving a quote anyway. I asked to speak to the manager, who was conveniently out at the moment. Not feeling it was worth it to wait around, I paid. I the inquired about the guarantee, and was informed that only mufflers get the lifetime guarantee, everything else has a standard 90 days. I have never gone back. While we're on the subject of auto ripoffs, AAMCO transmissions are in the same league. This same Ford (don't buy a Ford, please!) had the transmission go bad. We took it into AAMCO and asked for an estimate. The guy test drove it around the block and concluded "yep, your transmission is bad. If you want a more specific estimate, we'll put it up on the rack, open it up, and charge you $50 for the estimate." We signed the paper committing the $50 and they went at it. Half an hour later we had a written estimate detailing exactly what was wrong and calling for $450, with the $50 we were already into them for to be credited. At this point, there is an enormous perceived incentive to tell them to go ahead so you won't lose your $50. After all, you don't know what a competitor will do. I asked about their famous lifetime guarantee that was heavily advertised at the time, and was informed that to get the guarantee they would raise the price to around $600. I am very thankful that we paid them their $50 and took the car and the list of problems home and called around to other transmission shops. They would happily give estimates over the phone, given the list of problems, although they all assumed I had no idea what was really wrong with the transmission, and hedged their bets with "if that's really what's wrong with it". We found a gas station that would fix it for $250. They fixed it for the quoted price, on time, and we had no more trouble with the transmission. I'd have to consider the $50 well spent. Mark