Mr. Lube: Scam Artists

[Mr. Piggy]

I've been a "car guy" since I can remember. I'm not a mechanic, but I've been laying under cars since I was 8 years old and hanging around mechanics since I was in my teens (how I learned about motors.) I've rebuilt my own engines, done frame off restorations and owned a few toy cars which I do all the work on myself. I've known scores of mechanics. From dealership ones, to Green and Ross, to neighbourhood ones. Many friends are in the business.

None have made the kind of dough your friend has and they are all hard working guys.

Good for your friend, he obviously did something right. Just not my experience is all.

He worked hard to get where he is. I remember when he first opened his business and worked 7 days a week. Some nights he never even went home just slept at the shop. He was also an honest mechanic and didn't rip customers off. If he gave an estimate and it went over that he would give the customer a bit of a discount on the parts and labour.

 

[nottyboi]

Did they also recommend a premium water based lubricant while they fucked you in the ass? lol

 

[GPIDEAL]

It was to avoid the credit card merchant charge. The merchant charge for debit is much less, if there is one at all, as I think the customer pays it via bank fees. Most Chinese businesses will not accept credit for this exact reason.

OK. If it was a big charge, they probably don't mind to take the hit.

 

[GPIDEAL]

I know jack all about cars....

Used to take my POC Saturn to Jiffy and Mr. Lube...not once was I in and in out a decent time...keep in mind, I wasn't waiting in line, I was actually in there but the guys apparently didn't know how to service my car, didn't have the part, or didn't know much more than me!

Took my POC Saturn to a Midas once...fell for all the gobbly gook about what my car needed done...apparently my suspension was shot...but what do I know. Almost 2k later, I drive away, there's a rattling under the hood. I turn around, take it back, and turns out the mechanic left his wrench under my hood!

Stick to dealers...at least when shit hits the fan, you have someone to yell at, and escalate if things get really bad!

They should've given you the wrench.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I have better things to do with my time than change my own oil

Doing your own oil changes saves you time and money. I am all equipped with a jack and jack stands. It takes 25-30 minutes to change oil and filter and check all fluids. By the time you get to the garage and wait your turn to get you oil change and get beck it will be a minimum of 2 hours. I can do my synthetic oil changes for less than $40. I stock up 3- 4 jugs on synthetic oil when it is on sale and can get it for half price or less.

 

[Jiffypop69]

My nieces boyfriend used to work at a Mr. Lube. I used to take it to him only, but when he quit I went back once more...it was amazing the amount of shit they said I needed. Brought it to the dealership, and had it thoroughly scoped...everything was in check. I now see them...A tad pricey, but they're thorough, and trustworthy. Also, since I've gone back to the dealer the truck runs like the day I bought it. ..7 years ago.

 

[John Henry]

I have a old 89 chev. pick-up that has 120,000 k on it . Have never used synthetic in before but I would like to start . What do I do here just change the oil ( and filter ) to synthetic oil ? Not really sure if anything special has to be done to convert .

 

[HEYHEY]

I have a old 89 chev. pick-up that has 120,000 k on it . Have never used synthetic in before but I would like to start . What do I do here just change the oil ( and filter ) to synthetic oil ? Not really sure if anything special has to be done to convert .

Dont use synthetic at this point, stick to whatever you've been using.

As for the whole mr.lube scam people need to realize thats how they make their money. Just say no and its a quick oil change, although i'd never trust a kid who should be flipping burgers with my car or truck.

And for everyone else who feels so much at ease taking their car to a dealership and forking out 100-120 per hour on labour i have some bad news for you. The guy who's working on your car is another kid learning since there's usually just one certified mechanic and the rest are kids trying to get their license. you're not paying more for the technicians, you're paying for that fancy dealership around you.

Small trustworthy mechanic for the win

 

[Barca]

G-Tech Auto in Mississauga are honest guys. I use them all the time.

 

[Insidious Von]

Read your owner's manual.

 

[John Henry]

Dont use synthetic at this point, stick to whatever you've been using.

I'll do that . After 26 years of using regular oil without any problems why bother changing now . Thanks

 

[AK-47]

read your owner's manual

tl; dr

 

[Celticman]

One place that I would avoid is Master Mechanic. They really ran up the bill on a friend's car, took forever to fix it, then held it hostage.

 

[HEYHEY]

One place that I would avoid is Master Mechanic. They really ran up the bill on a friend's car, took forever to fix it, then held it hostage.

You can't just run up a bill. You have to give an estimate and can't go over something like 10% of it

 

[wangbang]

My favorite was the time a local CT handed me a piece of a rusty broken off spring and told me my car was unsafe. My car was only in to get e-tested. Took it to my regular mechanic who told me my springs were fine and unbroken.

 

[AK-47]

I find blogto.com usually has excellent recommendations on all sorts of stuff:

http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2012/02/where_to_get_your_car_fixed_in_toronto/