I had leased a brand new 2005 Chrysler town & country van. At 33,000 miles I brought it into Midas at 7501 N. Western Avenue for its first brake job. Midas resurfaced my front rotors and replaced my rear drums. They put on new brake pads/shoes all around, charged me $703, and sent me on my way. 3000 miles later, my brakes appeared to be making noise again.
I brought the car back to Midas to get checked. Midas store manager, Gene Taylor said that the car needed new front rotors, new brake pads and that the water pump was leaking. The brake pads would be covered under the warranty, but not the labor cost or the rotors. I thought it unlikely that a new car would need a new brake job after only 3000 miles. I asked to see that the mechanic who inspected my car was actually brake certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (the standard governing body which accredits professional mechanics).
Gene Taylor, the manager, refused to show me any credentials that the mechanics employed at Midas might have had. As I pursued the subject, Gene Taylor simply threw up his hands saying repeatedly, we did nothing wrong
Unable to verify that the mechanics or the manager were professionally qualified to inspect or repair automobiles, and their unwillingness to take any responsibility for the four wheel brake job they had previously sold me, I went for a second opinion at the dealership were I had originally leased the vehicle.
After inspection, the service manager told me that there was nothing wrong with my brakes. The axle simply needed to be tightened, and the brake pads adjusted. The dealer, who normally charges $112 an hour labor, charged me nothing and sent me on my way. The car works great, the noise is gone, and by the way, the water pump isn't leaking.
At best, Gene Taylor is a negligent, unknowledgeable supervisor who fails to assure the quality work of the mechanics who work under him; and he is unable to effectively diagnose simple automotive repair problems; or perhaps, Gene Taylor is an automotive service manager adept at consumer fraud who lies to customers and sells them parts and labor that are unnecessary.
I wonder if Rick Chaquinga, the owner of Midas at 7501 N. Western Avenue, is aware of the incompetence, lack of business savvy, negligent employee supervision and poor judgment exhibited by his store manager, Gene Taylor. I wonder if I ever really needed that first four-wheel brake job?
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