Midas

I went to this Midas because of the overall good reviews on another site. I left very disappointed.
I am somewhat mechanically inclined, and had narrowed down an issue on my vehicle to an exhaust obstruction, despite the fact my vehicle was throwing no codes. I needed to know if it was my (damaged) muffler, or a dead catalytic causing the issue. I don’t have the tools to test for this.
In my diagnosing, I ended up causing codes to show up, and delivered my truck to Midas in this state. I mentioned why the codes were there, and that none existed previously, and that I wasn’t interested in them reading the codes; I simply wanted them to find the obstruction. They said they would take a look. I thought this meant they knew what to do. I was incorrect.
Despite what I had explicitly said, the first (and virtually only) thing they did is checked the codes. They saw the codes I caused, cleared them, and then kept getting a code of their own. This is weird, since before I fiddled with the o2 sensors 1 day prior there were no codes, but now there was. I am not suggesting, btw, that they did anything wrong to cause this code. I must have damaged something in the work I did. Anyway, I was told that until I replace the o2 sensor causing the code there was nothing else they can do. Well, if there was nothing they could do besides checking codes, why did they even accept my vehicle after my explicit instructions? I have a scanner; I can check codes myself. $ 70 and an hour of my time 100% wasted. ($ 70 is an hourly rate, even though codes take 5 minutes to check. I imagine they have a shop minimum)
Any DECENT mechanic (let alone an «exhaust specialist») knows there are ways to check for obstructions. Pressure tests, temperature tests, etc. Apparently this exhaust shop knows nothing about checking exhaust issues unless the computer hands them the fault on a silver platter, or they don’t have the basic tools available that an exhaust shop requires. Like a drill.
I would have given this experience a 1, except that Al was at least friendly. Still, I’m never going back here. And for that matter, probably never going to Midas again. When a shadetree mechanic knows and can do more than a specialist shop, there’s something wrong. Thanks for wasting both my time and money.
Edit: Went to competitor the next day. DIagnosed based on my description of problem, confirmed in about 2 minutes. Forgot to tell them to ignore the codes — but they weren’t interested in them anyway because they know what to look for.

After a drive on the highway home from Edmonton, I was blessed with a flat tire the next day. Unfortunately, since it was a slow leak, I didn’t find that out until AFTER I drove to 17^th.
Hungry and caffenated, I arrived back at my car to discover my flat. I called AMA, and they sent someone over to fix it.
Tow truck comes, the guy plays with my tire on the rim finds the leak, and says luckily there was no nail or anything in it. Puts air in it, sends me home.
THE NEXT DAY, I am driving, and experiencing the same issue. I turn around and bring my car home– same tire is leaking. I called around a few places, wasn’t having very much luck, and had a conference call I needed to be at home for within the hour.
Then, I called Midas Auto and explained the situation. They were very friendly on the phone, and told me to bring in my car ASAP and they’d take care of me. I take about ten minutes to get there, and they take my car in right away. After about 20 minutes of waiting, they came over and showed me a nail that was flush inside my tire. Apparently the previous mechanic didn’t catch it, but these guys did. So– thank goodness for that! They patched my tire up, and I left only $ 40 poorer with a car safe to drive! Not to mention, they were very quick, and I was home in time for my conference call I didn’t want to miss!
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Midas again for their friendly and prompt service.