I had my worst, and last, experience with Monro Muffler at one of their Ohio locations today. Absolutely disgusting how they try to "gouge" people.
I took my 1998 Chevy S-10 truck in to have an estimate on exhaust work. I was told it was the catalytic converter, would take about an hour to replace, and I had 2 options: pay $800 for a factory part replacement, or a "cheaper" brand for $450. WTH!
I left the shop and did some price checking. At the local auto parts store, I found the converter for about $225 and obtained pricing checks later that day for as low as $115.
When I went back to the shop, with money in hand mind you, to question the $450 estimate, I was told the catalytic converter was $315 and the balance was the labor charge. When I asked what the hourly rate was (they said it would only take about an hour), I was told $80 per hour.
When I confronted the shop manager with the lower prices on the part, he said they weren't a parts store. He said rudely if I wanted to buy the part and put it on myself, I was free to do that. I asked them how they, in good conscience, could gouge people like they were doing with the parts markup and high labor charges. After some more heated words, I left the shop without letting them perform the work. The manager chased me down in the parking lot, trying to block me in from getting into my truck, threatening to call the Sheriff on me if I showed back up! Don't worry mister, this is one "customer" who will never do business with Monro again, and I will be sure to let EVERYONE I know not to do business with you if you value your money and expect fairness and integrity from a repair shop. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.
Oh, I obtained another estimate for the repair work from a local, "non-national" shop, about $300 cheaper, installed and tax included, than the Monro estimate. Thank god for some honest people left in the world.
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