Pep Boys

They do alright work and have good coupons but after having another shop look at my car, a leak was discovered that they had not caught. The leak had been there for at least 6 months and I faithfully take my car here every 3 months.
Furthermore, I am writing this as I stand in line waiting for my car. When I got here, no one was in front of me and I was quoted 30 minutes for an oil change. It has now been 75 minutes. Don’t come here if you value your time.

I went to Pep Boys to have my Mini Cooper’s front right wheel bearing fixed just a few days before having to make a 5 – 6 hour drive. Being the car that it is, the part I was looking for turned out to be very hard to find. I was brought back multiple times due to this. Luckily, the customer service at this particular Pep Boys overshadowed what could’ve been a great inconvenience. In particular the manager, David, customer representative, Josh, and mechanic, Sean, made my experience that much better. David was very understanding throughout, sat down with me and helped me even when it turned out that my car’s part was actually much more expensive than expected. Josh, on the other hand, went above and beyond to contact various stores and warehouses to successfully get my part in before I was to leave for my trip. While Sean personally explained the situation and what it meant to the workings of my car. Overall, I was very impressed with the outstanding service that all these individuals provided and due to this will probably visit Pep Boys before any other if my car needs service in the future.

First guy told me he’d call for someone to help me. He was obviously busy. The guy that came looked like he was eating. I told him what I needed then he asked me for the engine size. I couldn’t remember (my car is a 4 cylndr) he rolled his eyes and acted frustrated. I get it, another dumb chick that doesn’t know cars. He didn’t offer to come look or help. I couldn’t get my hood to open and I know they saw me struggling. I then decided to leave Bc I didn’t want to give them my money. Went to advance where they always help me out and without question come to look at my car. That’s the second time I’ve had bad customer service from pep boys. Won’t be going back.

I normally don’t shop here.
But they had a good sale so I dropped by to pick up some items.
I was very impressed with their service. A young man helped me out from start to finish. What great service.
BTW I also do like their new ‘pay at the store’ feature for online orders. I was able to order some items, on sale, and not have to pay via credit card through the internet but instead pick them up and pay on site. Love this feature.
So ya, I’m a fan now.

I didn’t want to take my car here but all I thought I was getting was an oil change. I have a 2003 stick VW Beetle and I’ve rarely had any problems with it. Well they called me and told me I needed a new air filter which I figured was true since I hadn’t gotten one in a long time. My step father took it in and got me new brake pads too, which was very nice of him.
Before I go on, let me say that I have had some problems with my coolant. I knew it had to have a slow leak because I was putting water in it every few months. I know I’m supposed to use coolant but I’m a college student and its cheaper and my car hasn’t ever had a problem with it. I haven’t had coolant added to it for over a year, just water.
Now, the next day I drove 5 miles. After about 5 minutes of sitting with the engine on and air blowing, my air went hot within 5 seconds. I turned my car off and opened my good to find something smoking (I don’t know what to call it) and I opened my coolant lid. It immediately sizzled then bubbled over. It was boiling. Not only that, but it was actual coolant. As I said, I only put water in it. This was really strange seeing as I just had it in the shop and when I called they said they never touched my coolant. Well then why was it green and not clear like THE WATER I’VE BEEN PUTTING IN IT? They kept sticking with the story that they did not touch it.
Apparently something was leaking. They put a hole in it, I know for a fact, I couldn’t just drive that far and all of a sudden something else is wrong with my car.
That is all. If you want to have your car fixed, go to a smaller non corporation. You’ll be much happier, and save money.

I was extremely distraught after have a blown out tire in the middle of Starke and driving 30 miles on the unreliable donut. These tires were bought from a Jacksonville location in 2006, un-​beknownst to me that they were 2002 tires.
Jaded by people in the past, I went to several tire centers to do some research. First the jerk from Sam’s club lied to me and tried to sell me 4 tires by trying to tell me whomever put the tires on my car put in the wrong set in the first place and it was very dangerous to drive. Yea, he did scare me until I went to another tire center and they said no, it’s not the wrong tires, it’s because they’re OLD TIRES.
Finally, I went to this Pep Boy’s location armed with ammunition to fight back in case they wouldn’t give me my new tire. The staff was friendly although I had to wait about 40 minutes for them to look at my car which upset me a bit. Then, the rep told me that these are NOT Pep Boy’s tires, they’re actually general tires and that they WILL not be issuing me a new tire. I WAS INFURIATED. I called my dad and luckily my dad saved the invoice and even after trying for an hour to talk to the Pep Boy’s location in Jacksonville, they refused to replace my tire.
This is when this Gainesville Pep Boys location shined. The manager, whose name I can’t recall now, told me he trusts me and is going to go ahead and give me a new tire. He gave me one of their brands tire. He pro-​rated the wear of the tire in my favor, by rounding down and he gave me a customer discount card. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! He really made me feel better after what started out as a nightmare.

This review is specifically for the parts department.
In the years that I have been a resident of Gainesville Ive ventured in and called Pep «Girls» a hand full of times. It seems to me like they don’t employ very many people with knowledge of the parts they sell. Ive several times not had my question answered and left a little more confused.
In the hand full of times Ive been there the people behind the counter were unprofessional.
Today I went in looking for a particular part and the person that was «helping» me looked in his computer said they don’t have the part and then walked away… with nobody else at the counter (employees or customers) he walked away…
Bottom line – I don’t like this place… its not even a mile away from another parts store where they have competent employees so next time you need something just round the corner and visit a real parts store.