No more "walk-in" service at local lube shop

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I've always taken my car to the same place for oil changes for years and they took customers in the order they came in. Lately, as soon as I poke my head in the door, it's always, "We're busy.", so I'd just leave. After three of these encounters, I finally asked the counter person what gives. She said, in effect, "Now you have to make an appointment for service." They have also done away with Saturday hours. I might also mention that this place has changed hands recently.
Same thing happened with another local business. Up to a few months ago, they had rave online reviews, then they sold out and the last two ratings were dismal.
Seems many changes in a business goes against the consumer.
 

Familiar-sounding, debodun, and discouraging. I recently had trouble with my pickup's tailpipe... it had corroded off at the muffler, and I had to remove it. Needed to have it replaced. I get most of the professional aspects of maintenance done where I bought the used truck (Toyota dealership), as I get excellent service there. I was informed that the replacement tailpipes are sold with the muffler, as one single unit. A service tech quite honestly confided I'd save more than $100 by taking it to the Midas shop in town.

Midas started in the US, but has locations in western Canada, and maybe nationwide up here. It used to be you could drop in there, leave your vehicle for a while, and they'd install a muffler (and/or tailpipe) — and that's that. It's changed, one has to book ahead. Okay.

But then what they want to do is open an account for you, start a file in their data base, do an analysis of your vehicle, suggest diverse replacement of parts... and if you don't want to do all that at once, they expect you to bring it in soon. I had them replace the tailpipe/muffler unit. But felt like I'd stepped in goo.

Not the service I wanted, because I have a satisfactory relationship with the dealership where I bought the pickup. Kept it to muffler/tailpipe, but I declined leaving my truck with Midas that day, and perceived annoyance on the part of a couple staff people... 🙄
 

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It's probably in large part about maximizing profits.

If they staff at levels which make walk-in service viable, they find that workers have too much "free time" for bathroom breaks and cleanup and such. By understaffing and pushing people hard until the day's cleanup is done after business hours they chase away employees capable enough to find employment elsewhere. So what if mistakes and damage occurs more often? That's on the heads of the customers.

This is the product of "professional" human resources people in cahoots with management, owners, and investors. A blight on society that frighteningly extends through society far further than basic auto maintenance services. Their motto: "Our goal is 'good enough,' and someday we may even get there!"

It's everywhere including retail, restaurants, and the hospitality industry.
 
Our 2012 Chevy Sonic's engine was making more noise than I thought it should be making. Called the GM dealer, made an appointment for 9.30 am the next day. Drove it into the service department, where Marco the service rep ( who has worked there for 26 years ) , came and listened to the engine, felt the belt shroud and said "Alternator bearing is squeeling it will take about 2 hours to replace it, and with taxes it will cost just under $900 . "

I said go ahead, I'll be in the coffee lounge. IN 75 minutes, Marco came and handed my keys to me and said " All done, invoice is at the cashier's desk, I had it washed and interior cleaned , for you at no charge ". We bought the car there, and it has all ways been serviced there, with no complaints at all. Being a repeat customer ( we have bought 2 previous cars at the same dealer) has it's benefits. Marco knows us, we know and trust him to treat us fairly. The dealership just celebrated their 60 th year in business, at the same location. The Humberview Group ( which owns Applewood Chevrolet ) owns 20 car dealerships in the Toronto area, and they employ over 5,000 people. JIMB
 
If I take it to the dealership, they will probably say I need a whole new exhaust system when it only needs a band-aid on the tailpipe. I've already spent $800 on my car this year at the dealership (driver's side window repair and cam plug leak).
 
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Reactions: JBR
debodun said:
Same thing happened with another local business. Up to a few months ago, they had rave online reviews, then they sold out and the last two ratings were dismal.
Seems many changes in a business goes against the consumer.
Click to expand...
Many small local businesses have been purchased and then failed. They raised prices and took shortcuts with service. Too bad. They paid for a respected company name and then abused it.
 

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