My retired mother's 97 Saturn failed inspection due to the exhaust system. She brought it to Midas in E. Wareham, MA to have the work done required to pass inpsection. The manager, Henry Williams, called with an estimate. He recommended replacing the entire exhaust system, catalytic converter, muffler, as well as the oil pan. The estimate for his suggested service came to $1997.00.
I've had outrageous estimates from other Midas shops in the past, so I got on the phone with Mr. Williams and asked him to explain his recommendations to me. When he finished, I replied with "slow month at the shop, I see." He then became belligerent and said that he'd put the car out front, he didn't need this from me. He was an honest person and offered a walk through of this recommendations. I know nothing about the inner workings of a car, and told him so as I declined his offer. I told him that I'd discuss his estimate with my mother and we'd call back.
My mother called back and said that she would like to pick up the car. Mr. Williams told her that after talking to me, "he wouldn't touch her car with a 10 foot pole." She requested a written estimate, so we could remember what he suggested. Mr. Williams refused, stating it was not shop policy to give a written estimate.
Massachusetts state law requires a written estimate for any car repair service estimated at over $100.
I went in to pick up the car. Mr. Williams was not in the shop. The employee, Joel, said that I would have to wait for Mr. Williams to return to talk to him about the written estimate, even after I tried to show him the Attorney General's website printout that stated this policy. He kept holding up his greasy palm at me, and began waiting on another customer while I was still speaking to him.
I have contacted Midas Customer Service in Illinios and am waiting my 72 hours for my calls from the franchise owner and district manager. I've also filed a complaint with the Attorney General and plan to do so with the Better Business Bureau.
Oh, the car got repaired. We took it to another shop and it cost $263.00.
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