Pep Boys

I’ve never really been to keen on Pep Boys, and after my experience there this past weekend, chances are I will not go back… or maybe at least to redeem my $ 20 in rewards I get after spending nearly $ 500 on their services.
My story starts on a Saturday night when I noticed that my front tires were cracking. Yes, cracking! I was mortified. How could I let this happen? Yeah, I’m a girl… that’s how. Anyway, I was planning on driving to Pasadena the next afternoon, and there was no way I was getting on a freeway after seeing how bad my tires were. My first choice for replacement was America’s Discount Tires. But alas, they are closed on Sundays. As I had plans, I had to find another store. Pep Boys was my next thought (Stupid girl). To my joyful surprise, the North Hollywood branch was not only open on Sundays, they opened at 9am. Replacing 2 tires, getting my free oil change (with the purchase of the 2 tires), and replacing the serpentine belt should only take about 2 hours… TOPS.
I got here at 8:45am to ensure I was first and would get my vehicle out in enough time to go home, get ready and be in Pasadena by 11:45am. I was told by the very friendly Yelenia (I probably spelled her name wrong), that it would be about an hour and half. So I left to go to IHOP for breakfast (but that’s a whole different review). I returned approximately one and a half hours later. My car was still up on the thingy that puts cars up, so I sat down in the waiting area as Final Destination «27» was starting (How many of those movies have they made now???).
So to make a long story short, I finished the movie. Yup. 4 hours after I dropped it off, they were finally finished. The explanation for it taking so long: one of my bolts was stuck, and they needed to get it off to replace the belt. Here’s the kicker… they didn’t want to break anything else and have that added to my bill. Yup. Wow. Wish I had gotten that guys name. I was too surprised by his comment to look. I know it started with a «J.» Joel, Jose, Jorge… something like that.
Go to the «Boys» if you need to pick up a windshield wiper or air freshener (or if you’re a guy and know how to speak car… in which case you’re probably working on your own car), but for repairs, go to a «Mom and Pop» shop. They always do better work, and are usually much nicer about their delivery.
Two stars becuase the tires are great and I liked the girl who helped me when I first arrived. But bad overall customer service.

I dont feel I was overcharged and the wait is minimal compared to other locations. It’s great mainly because there is virtually no wait (the 3 times i’ve been there) and service is fast.

These guys helped me so much. They are ethusiastic about cars, polite, patient and genuinly willing to help. I got a free scaning, which will never happen else where. I know where I would take my car to next time!