Midas

[Andrew Buc <72220.443@compuserve.com>]

 >  I am not even going to Start to BEGIN to get into mine and my 
 > friends Midas horror stories
 
Midas landed on my hit list with a bang some years ago. I took my Saab 96 in 
to have a length of pipe (ran from front resonator to rear muffler) replaced 
while I waited. The bill came to almost 200% of the estimate! When I called 
the svc mgr on this, he was quite glib, shrugged, and said, in effect, "Well, 
that's how long it took."
 
I pointed out the HUGE (ca. 3 by 4 feet) sign on the wall behind him, stating 
that under Washington state law, a shop must get the customer's permission 
before proceeding with repairs that will exceed the estimate by a certain %age 
(and the %age wasn't 200, or even close to it!). He then backed off but said 
something like "We want the customer to be happy," as if he were doing me a 
favor. I called Midas's regional ofc and raised bloody hell.
 
I don't know if they're national or even regional, but I've had good experiences

with Walt's Muffler.
 
--Andrew Buc, Seattle, WA; Internet: 72220.443@compuserve.com