Complaint / Review
Monro Muffler Brake & Service
The $800 S-10 Catalytic Converter - catalytic converte

I am writing to share a very bad experience I recently had with Monro Muffler Brake & Service in Ohio, which nearly cost me $450-800.

I took my vehicle — a 1998 Chevy S-10 pick up truck — to the local shop due to a loud noise coming from my exhaust. I asked for an estimate on the work.

After the vehicle was inspected, I was told the problem was my catalytic converter and it would take about an hour to repair. The employee said I had 2 options: replace it with a factory converter for $800, or replace with a cheaper brand at a cost of $450.

I left the shop and did some price checking on my own. One of the local auto parts stores stocked the part for about $225. I later obtained price checks for as low as $115.

I returned to the shop and asked for a detailed explanation of the $450 quote I had received earlier. I was told the catalytic converter was approximately $315, with the rest accounting for labor. I asked what the hourly labor rate was and was told $80.

I told the manager I felt like they were trying to gouge me, with the mark up on the part, and the high estimate for labor which was almost for 2 hours, not the 1 hour they had told me it would take.

The manager replied and said he wasn't a parts shop. If I wanted to buy the part at a cheaper price and put it on myself, I was free to do that.

I told them they should be ashamed trying to gouge people who need simple car repairs completed, particularly in today's bad economic conditions. I understand companies needing to make profit, but a $100 markup on a part that can be purchased cheaper at the retail store down the street is ridiculous. And I'm certain the actual cost Monro would pay for the same catalytic converter is probably much less than $225, so they were in essence marking up that much more.

Later in the day I received another estimate from a "non-national", local repair shop and was quoted about $300 less than the $450 Monro quote, installed and tax.

I would not recommend Monro to anyone who wants to be treated fairly and economically. If you are an average working person on a budget, Monro is not the place for you, in my opinion, unless you want to see your finances depleted quickly. I have since talked to several people who have had similar "gouging" experiences, or bad quality parts, and am telling everyone I know NOT to do business with this name.