Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2000 06:32:50 -0700 From: "Not/Rod" <notrodnopsamail.com> Subject: Re: PepBoys' and their shoddy service
I wasn't going to get into this one but the thread has grown so much I just want to throw my 2 cents worth in. The problems stated about Pep Boys is not something exclusive to them. It happens all the time in the discount auto repair business. Why do you think these types of places are 'cheap'? Because they are a bunch of good guys that are more interested in you than making a profit? I don't think so. These discount outlets are sometimes cheaper because their operating costs are lower. And one of the ways they get their operating costs down is by hiring less skilled technicians. The second way is using cheaper, and generally lower quality parts. I've worked in the auto business for 30 years and run Service Departments for the last 11. Finding good technicians is about the hardest part of my job. And when you do find a good one they will be paid well, $16 to $25 per hour. The discount shops, on average, pay about half that. So where do you think the good techs go? Where would you work? I've bought parts from Pep Boys. But I know what I'm looking for, I do the research to make sure I'm getting the quality I want. There is no way in hell I would ever let them put a wrench on my car though, just as I would never take my car to a Goodyear or Firestone store for anything more technical than an oil change for the same reasons. Auto repair is just like anything else. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! Buy cheap, get cheap. NotRod
