Midas

I have a 1997 Ford Econoline van that needed a new muffler. I had previously replaced it at Midas of Seven Hills Ohio and it had a lifetime warranty. No problem, right? WRONG! I was told on the phone that labor would be about $98 and a few bucks more for the tailpipe. So I made an appointment with the person who gave me the quote. I was told to bring my paperwork for the replacement muffler which I was able to locate. So once the van was put up on the rack, the real excitement began. I was told that first, I had a problem with both catalytic converters and that it would be $3200 to replace. This Ford has 2 converters. I promptly declined and said just replace from the muffler back. The service rep told me that I had to replace the connector pipe that connects the converters to the muffler. I told him that I just replaced that less than a year ago and it had a lifetime warranty. He said nobody has a lifetime warranty on pipes. I showed him my receipt from Auto Zone that clearly showed a limited lifetime warranty. I asked again that he quote from the muffler back. Much to my chagrin, the quote was $280 with $110 for the tailpipe and $130 in labor and the rest for clamps and taxes. I asked if that inclued the free muffler, and he said yes. I asked why he indicated the laobor was $98 on the phone and he said "It starts at $98 and goes from there. In your case, it is $130." Nice bait and switch. ----It gets better---read on---So I needed to get this done as I needed to use the van for a job the next day. I decided to go ahead with the repairs (and that was my second mistake--my first mistake was calling this Midas location). While I am sitting there, I have my laptop and I look up Midas on-line and find a coupon for $10 off $100, $20 off $200 or $30 off $300 worth of work. I took my laptop up to the rep and asked that he apply the coupon. He declined, saying that getting a free muffler was a coupon. I said no, that is warranty work. This should be honored. He said he would call his supervisor who also declined. I then called the customer relations number for Midas at [protected]. The Customer Service Representive said that the location should honor the coupon. I informed the local representative who said he would have to call his supervisor back again. He did and only after threatening to leave, did he honor the coupon. So to top it all off, my bill was $253.00 for a tailpipe and muffler. Just for the heck of it, I called the Strongsville, Ohio Midas and asked what it would cost (out the door) for a tailpipe and muffler. The person said $280. I asked what it would cost if I had the muffler under warranty. He said, "take off $75." Then, they would honor the coupon. Bottom line is that I should have paid somewhere in the range of $195 rather than having to fight for the $253 from Seven Hills Midas. This location appears to mark-up the cost of parts and labor enough to cover any or all savings that I got from having a lifetime warranty on the muffler. Not to mention all the hassles, inaccurate part needs and bait and switch labor cost tactics.