Pep Boys

If there was a way to give 0 stars, I would. Our experience couldn’t have been worse:
1) Someone stole a charger out of our car
2) We were misinformed about the cost of their towing service
3) The mechanics tried to charge us $ 800+ to replace struts that were in good condition. (The guy on the phone even told us that it would be DANGEROUS for us to drive the car home. We’ve drive 3000+ miles since, with no problem.
4) They DAMAGED OUR FRONT BUMPER (presumably during towing) and everyone we spoke to, including regional managers, refused to take responsibility for it.
The mechanics and management are dishonest. Customer service is non existent. We will never use Pep Boys again.

I’ve been taking my car to this location for several years now, despite the bad reviews, and I’ve never had a problem until just this past weekend. I dropped by car off before they opened on Saturday morning to get my air conditioner fixed. They called me upon opening and quoted my $ 65 to check the AC. Agreeing to this, I asked when I might expect my car to be looked at and the attendance, Saroosh, told me in the early afternoon. At 3:00, my husband received a call telling him that the compressor had to be replaced for a total of $ 1700. Although this is on the higher end, it was a reasonable rate. Several hours later, we called to check the status of our car, and the service manager, Mike, refused to get on the phone. At 7:15 that evening, I received a voice mail from an attendant that the car would not be fixed until the following morning. That morning my husband and I began calling to find out when we could pick up the car and the service manager, De’Von, was consistently unavailable to give us an update on the car. In addition, Saroosh, and another attendant informed us that a part was not in the store and would not be available until Monday. Throughout the weekend, neither service manager would speak to me and when, at 5:30 on Sunday afternoon, the car was finally ready, Saroosh informed me that the total was still to be the $ 1700. My husband then called and asked to speak to the manager on duty. He was told by Saroosh that the manager had already left. Shockingly, he reappeared a few moments later. While we were able to get a discount for this appallingly bad service, my husband had to remind the manager on Monday morning when we picked it up. In addition, the mechanic did not shut my hood properly which was not noticeable until I was driving on I-​95. I will NEVER bring my car here again and plan to contact their corporate office and the Better Business Bureau as a result of my appallingly bad service as of late. If I could give this no stars, I would.

Horrible customer service and communication. 2 out of the 3 times I have dropped my car off, the repairs were never done and there were no calls or any other communication that there were any issues with the repair being completed in a timely fashion.
They are slightly cheaper than local mechanics but not worth the hassle and frustration of not having the work completed as expected.

Their staff is unaccommodating and impersonal. Waited 20 minutes at the checkout line with no cashier available and I waited and waited, asking associates for someone to check me out. They acted like they didn’t hear me, and one said a cashier will be with you shortly. 20 minutes later a person with an attitude checked me out. Their prices are high, would expect better service.

Jim McGinley is the best. If you decide to take your car there I would recommend Jim. He has been taking care of my Honda Element (2004) for 3 years now, and he has done so much on it. From simple oil change and inspection to replacing arm bushing. He also worked on my husband’s car and he did excellent job. He is very knowledgeable and professional as well.
10 stars for Jim.

Brought my car in today after getting pulled over because my tail lights were out. Not only was Jim able to help me find the appropriate bulb for my car, but he also helped me change them out, which I greatly appreciated! He had such a positive attitude especially on a Monday morning even with a line of cars to be worked on. Definitely made my morning knowing that my car issues were resolved and that I won’t get pulled over again! Pep boys need more employees like Jim! :)

Any car owner would vouch the importance of having a reliable and trusted mechanic, where as the cost of car repair and maintenance can be astronomical. I used to commute 40 minutes just to go to my trusted mechanic for basic routine car maintenance until I discovered Pep Boys on Columbus Blvd, and I have been a loyal customer ever since. I have met Jim about two years ago, he is one of the lead mechanics at Pep Boys. I have always entrust Jim to take good care of my car. I feel extremely fortunate to have found a reliable mechanic who is not only knowledgable about the intricacies of car repair and maintenance but his level of professionalism is unmatched by others. Further more the Pep Boys on Columbus Blvd has consistently delivered the highest quality and speedy service. They offered me a peace of mind when comes to car maintenance. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone at Pep Boys and especially Jim for the fantastic services they have provided in the past two years.

Jim McGinly is the most knowledgeable and friendly mechanic I have ever had the pleasure of using. He is courteous and knows what he is doing. I feel like he has my back and I know that my car repairs are being done properly and that my car is in its best possible working condition. If you are going to Pep Boys ask for him to service your car!

And they continue to lie and lie. Following my initial post (which Pep Boys’ social media person picked up), I received a call from STEVE and DEVON, who ADMITTED lying to me numerous times and agreed to refund me that amount I had spent for a second brake job at a different shop. THEY NEVER REFUNDED ME and, when I disputed the charge on my Amex bill, they responded with a form letter that «the customer never complained!»
Oh, but it gets worse, my friends. The brand new struts that were put in? Started leaking 2weeks ago.

Brought my car in after a cooling issue in August. They replaced my water pump for 1400 dollars. Than within 10xxx miles the pump exploded and left me on the side of the road. My car has been sitting at this shop for 9 days still waiting to be fixed (under warranty) Not once has the location called me to let me know there has been a delay and when I tried calling tonight I was on hold for 20 minutes for the rep to have no idea why or where my car is. I would stay far away from this location and I will be making a official complaint with pep boys corporate. The Service employs don’t care about you or your car or the money there taking from you. They Even talk shit about you In Front of you to other employs. What a joke of a business.

Everyone reading these reviews– learn from our mistakes and take your vehicle elsewhere. Do not take your car here if you have commitments or plans on the day of or after your service. Anticipate paying about 3x what you should be charged. You will be lied to several times about when your vehicle will be ready. Hopefully they won’t make you 3 hours late for work as they did me (my car was ready on Sunday night– when I went to pick up my vehicle at 8am the next morning, it wasn’t done) I experienced such inconsiderate treatment from a staff that was already robbing me for a brake job. You’re already getting away with murder, could you maybe not make me completely late for work as well? Seriously, it seems like 85% of people have awful experiences at this location. Mike, the manager is useless and rude. Dev’on was the only helpful employee at this location, thank god for Dev’on.

I’ve used Pep Boys at Delaware Ave. over the years. At first for a period of years in the 2000s it was the pits. Then they got a new manager, Mike McGonagle, who really improved the workmanship and customer service. Alas, he did not stay long. For the most part, Pep Boys on Delaware Ave. has been pretty good since then. My experience on Wednesday, 2-​18-​2016 was excellent in every way, and looks like a Renaissance of workmanship and customer service at this location.
Dan’te was the manager and James McGinley the mechanic. I see Michael Van Deursen listed as Service Manager on the work order. He was not there when I visited or I would have personally thanked him.
I visited for an inspection and did not have to wait long. I was given a run down on the condition of my car and opted for an oil change. I waited at Dunkin Donuts at the other end of the mini mall where there was couch seating with digital fireplace. Got a call when the car was ready. Paid and –nice touch– found my car waiting by the front door.
Kudos to Michael Van Deurson for running a top notch shop. I was impressed with the customer service of all staff I encountered. The mechanic is really top notch. Whatever you are doing, it’s working! These employees are keepers.

Usually go to a local mechanic, but we needed tires quickly. We bought 4 and an alignment There was an issue with one tire and Devon the Manager took care of it quickly and did not charge us for the re-​installation. Good work guys.

Got an oil change here and this place has been cleaned up! The service wa quick and friendly and they have Free Wifi! Completely different experience from 6 months ago.

I had high hopes about banging out an oil change and a state inspection after «usual» business hours, which I also work, that makes it difficult to get these things done.
I made an appointment online with Pep Boys 24 hours in advance for the 2 services and received a confirmation email.
I arrived promptly at 6PM for my appointment and was informed that no one was on staff to do a state inspection that evening. («Oh, no one called you?» No they did not.)
(I should include that I had actually forgotten to grab my updated registration and insurance before heading out the door, and thought this could pose a problem for me.) So anyway, «No sweat!» I’m thinking. I can just reschedule the inspection.
I do ask, however, that the oil change still be done. I hand the guy my keys, and head out to kill some time.
30 minutes later I receive a call that the shop doesn’t have oil filters for my car.
I head back in to get my keys, and find them in a clear folder with my paperwork left on the counter with my name and car description still on the label. I wait a minute to see if anyone is going to come out and hand me my keys… or maybe. apologize in person. but no. After a minute I just grab my shit and go.
Truly a waste of time.
Pennsport Beer Boutique, and Bob from Manayunk brewing company (there doing a tasting) however, get 5 stars for being the closest place to grab good beer so I could calm the rage and disappointment as soon as I got home.

I can honestly say I’ve rarely had a good experience here.
First, the staff is rude — and while I totally understand it’s a busy job, some level of customer service when i’m practically giving you my paycheck for a car is helpful.
Second — the service is poor. They flat out broke the tire sensor on my 2008 Prius, and then told me to fix it they were going to charge me $ 300. Suffice to say it’s still broken.
Stopped going here, won’t be back. Wife has had awful service here as well. I do wish zero stars were possible.

Don’t take your car here! I’ve given this location a chance on multiple occasions because it’s very close to my house. Everytime I have taken my Nissan Sentra in for routine maintenance I have ended up spending 400 – 500 dollars on extra services that the «mechanics» recommended.
This weekend I tried one more time to get my brakes checked, before they even looked at the car I got a call asking if I would like to add a new serpintine belt for 300 $. I turned that down and asked that they just check the brakes. The next day I get a call informing me the car was ready, they charged me 50 $ more than they originally quoted me, and I got 3 blocks when I realized that the brakes were making a louder, worse sound that it had been when I brought it in.
I brought it back the next day, and was told that I ACTUALLY needed new rotors, and a front end bearing ($ 600). I asked how it was possible that the mechanic missed the rotor issue, being that he changed the brake pads and I had passed inspection at that location only 2 months earlier. They told me the issue was unrelated, and offered no apologies or discounts for the new repairs. The people who work here clearly dont care about being honest or fixing only the issue you are having. They just want to sell you belts and oil changes.
silver lining to this story, I got a second opinion from DONS AUTO REPAIR which is only 8 blocks away, and got the issue fixed for a cool $ 210. I got a straightforward phone call 30 minutes after I dropped it off. Any Unilocalers take note, STAY AWAY!

This place is unreal, I told
My gf not to go to any pep boys as they don’t give any consideration to any customer’s time, dropped off her car for 1 tire to be fixed and took 2 days, 2 days when they got the tire in the same day it was dropped off. Called the next day inquiring about it and said they would have it done right at closing, takes ½ hr to do a tire but that’s not the real issue, the people are just rude and they’re excuse was «it happens», are you serious that you would say that to a customer ??? Save yourself the headache and take your car to other places !

I came by to get an oil change.
The nice gentleman behind the counter told me that there was one car ahead of me and the wait would be about and hour and twenty minutes.
I know that these things take time and that seemed perfectly ok with me.
So I left my car, went and got lunch and came back and hung out in the waiting room.
An hour and a half later I go to the service counter and ask if my car is done.
Another gentleman went and checked and said it was the next car to go in the shop.
My car had not even been started on.
I was quoted 80 mins for the oil change to take place and 90 mins later they had not done anything.
And to top it all off they have a sign up in the waiting room saying if you give them a 5 star Unilocal review that you can win a free oil change.
Basically begging you for a good review for the sub par work.
I wish I could say the work was sub par but after waiting just under two hours and nothing happening to my car I am leaving without having anything done.

Yep, it’s a Pep Boys, and yep it’s in South Philly. South Philly is a strange place. It is a crossroads of Philadelphia socialites and people who speak a little like Rocky Balboa. Ok that is an over generalization, but it is not exactly untrue, I wear a tie to work but I speak with a Philly accent. Sometimes when I stop in, there will be a customer dressed for their office job standing next to a guy dressed in a Fila jumpsuit «Taulking bout how he’s thirsty a needs to grab some wudder.» It makes me smile, because this is where I am from and this is comfort to me, when I hear a philly accent in another part of the country, I fell like all is good.
Anyway, I digress. It’s a Pep Boys, in South Philly. Most of the people there seem to work hard, but again, you are in South Philly, and one of the things I have noticed since I started working in this part of the city is that eye contact is not something you do all of the time. SO if you go here, don’t expect a lot of that going on. It’s a cultural thing associated with this true Philadelphia neighborhood.
Whenever I stop in for something I know is in the circular, they have it. If I need help I go to the parts counter and they help me get it. They do what they have to do to get the job done, but I have been in other Pep Boys that have had a little more positive and upbeat staff. Like I said, they work hard, they do their job, they just have not drank that corporate «Pep Boys Kool Aid» that amps up employees. No worries, they are what they are, where they are. Again, if you need help, go to the parts counter, they seem to really know their stuff more so than the cashiers. Happy motoring.