Pep Boys

This is the worst place I’ve ever been. They can’t fix my car after I paid more than 1800 $. The parts always delayed，when you call the service，they don’t even want to hear what you want to say. The service guys interrupted me all the time. The most annoying thing is they feel they are the best but they can’t figure out how to fix a car. You get no service no answer no nothing.

I called ahead for a 1:30 appointment to swap out normal tires for snow tires (2). I bought the tires here last winter, so for just the labor I was quoted $ 14.99/tire. When I arrived, it took over five minutes to be acknowledged by someone. When I was, they immediately told me it would be $ 25/​tire and when I mentioned I was told $ 14.99/tire on the phone I was immediately questioned, «who told you that.» In the end, it seems $ 14.99 was the right price but they immediately tried to up-​sell me, so be aware of that. They took my car keys and said they would call. It has now been over 2 hours, and despite the fact that I had an appointment, my car is not finished. In that time, they have already tried to up-​sell me again by claiming I needed more maintenance. They seem aggressive, sneaky, and slimy. I would stay away and find someplace that isn’t going to leave you feeling cranky and taken advantage of by the time you make it out the door.

Went in for tire rotation … Guess what … They didn’t rotate the tires. What they did do was mess with the car! DO NOT GO HERE!!!

Although I don’t usually write reviews, I feel like such a review is warranted based on my recent experiences with Pep Boys in Hamden, CT. Particularly my experiences with Larry Ouellette. Ever since I came to Larry a few years ago due to an issue I was having with my tires, I knew based upon his services to me that day that I could trust him with any other issues that may arise with my vehicle. Fast-​forward a few years later, I still have the same car but this time I have different issues: a broken axle and a loose axle. Larry explained to me the dangers associated with driving a car with a broken axle and gave me a very comprehensive explanation of how an axle functions, as well as the processes associated with the repairs. Initially, I was very reluctant to proceed with the repairs due to them being so costly and out of my budget. But Larry assured me that I would be getting a beneficial deal, one that includes a lifetime warranty, and even encouraged me to seek a second opinion if necessary. After a few days of receiving numerous second opinions and finding the money to pay for the repairs, I realized I would inevitably return to Larry. Right now, I am waiting for my car to be repaired but I feel rest-​assured that my car is in good hands and being repaired at a fair price compared to other options. It is very satisfying to know that thanks to Larry’s honesty and professional candor, I can continue to rely on him at the Pep Boys in Hamden for any and all of my future vehicle needs. I hope others share the same experience.

Brought my car in to get a smallish hole patched in one of my back tires after I somehow ran over a nail. The guys at pep boys brought my car into the garage and with in a minute ran back out to the waiting area to tell me there is no possible way of fixing this «gigantic» hole and that I need to buy 4 new tires since mine were «bald». The guy at the counter was ready to charge me $ 700 for new tired plus this that and those etc (all completely unnecessary). I asked him to just put my spare tire on for me since I cannot afford that price right now and the guy behind the counter basically argued with me about buying these new tires. After almost an hour and a half of waiting for the mechanic to put my spare tire on, they charged me $ 12.75 for the service and on my way I went. I drove right next door to Town Fair Tire where the gentleman there walked with me to look at the damages and «unfixable» tire. He took one look at it and said it was no big deal and he’ll have it on my car in a few hours. They charged me $ 4.20 and recommended that I come back in a month or two to talk about replacing my tires. I will NEVER go back to that scam of a place called Pep Boys.

Promised car out in 30 minutes. 2 hours later said the car needed more work but would be done in 30 more minutes… 1 hour after that still waiting…
Never again.

I was skeptical but in a bind, and needed a new battery and alternator to get my subaru running again. Being walking distance and available to do the work was a plus. So far so good, they got the job done at a fair price in the time they estimated, and were super easy to deal with.

Larry told me its 90 $ just for him to get a code on my car in his rude condescending attitude while somewhat laughing in my face. Auto zone just does it for you. Either he lied or they just have shit customer service. There you go.

I came to Pep Boys for new tires, because mine were extremely bad… Ok so one was flat & I needed tires ASAP. I called around 7 pm and Larry at the tire service center helped us with no problems. He was extremely friendly and helpful! Best experience at a tire center ever! Not only did they take the car right away but he helped me find a new jack for the car (actually as we were walking to checkout he came across a kit for the same price but had extra accessories)! His professionalism and upbeat personality made the process painless. Next time you need tires or really anything find Larry– he will not only make you laugh but you’ll trust his advice and know your getting the best price and service!

While others might have had bad experiences here, my experience was great. My car stopped running due to a bad cable jumping, and I had it towed to Pep Boys on Sunday, which was the only shop open til 6pm on Sunday. I had to leave it there overnight to get the part I needed. When I returned, they installed the part in 10 minutes. I was afraid they’d charge me $ 100’s of dollars to install the ACG/​Main Fuse, but it was only $ 32, which is even cheaper than some other reputable auto repair shops in the area. The guys I worked with were professional and quick.

Do not use this Pep Boys location! Just look at the average rating of this place and you can see that it is half of any other Pep Boys location.
My wife went to do an oil change. The guy there told her that the battery is dead. Not weak or toward the end of its life but dead! She told him she didn’t have any problem with the battery until coming to the shop. He insisted that the car doesn’t turn on! My wife let me talk with the guy over the phone — he still insisted that the battery is dead. They replaced the battery (what choice did she have?) and I switched the car with my wife and drove back there. I asked to see the old battery and replaced the battery back to the original battery. Magic — it worked perfectly ok. The repair manager started to bs me, he brought the battery machine and told me that it broke down, that the guys had a miscommunication etc’ etc’. Bottom line — systematic fraud.
Update: the shop manager called me and compensated me for the lost time which was nice. However, this hasn’t solved the systemic fraud issue. 9 out of 10 people just replace the battery.

My tail light went out. No big deal, but when I called another place, they wanted me to make an appointment, get an estimate by an assesor, then order the part, then have me come back later. Say what? I called Pep Boys and they could see me right then, and Gabriel installed the light bulb in less than 20 minutes TOTAL. So much easier– and it only cost me $ 18. I’ve never used them for anything else (other than the store which is well-​stocked of course)
, but this was a great experience.

I went there to make oil change, I asked them to put castrol oil, after they changed it I found on my receipt they put pennzoil. Also there is a one guy tried to sell new tires to me even though the tires I have are not bold. long story short I thought I can work with them through out my school years but there charging me a lot and I don’t trust their pricing. If you’re a student I definitely recommend you to go somewhere cheaper and trustable.

Run away. While traveling home to MD, they refused us service on our tire unless we bought 4 tires, when 2 of ours were only a month old. The manager was belligerent. Figured since we were stranded and have a nice car, we had no choice. Orange location was willing to do it!!! Then when we walked back to pick up the car, they had driven it all the way around front on the flat tire and someone we hadn’t seen gave us our keys without asking our name. If I hadn’t been on the phone with corporate for an hour, and them trying to intercede, I’m sure they would have tried to charge a diagnostic fee. Wish this could be a negative rating.

Larry O., John M. just saved my life, my sanity and a fair chunk of money for me. I took my car to Pep Boys after not feeling safe to drive it to the dealer in Milford to have the brakes looked at. They were BAD. To the point that one of the calipers was rusted SHUT. I also needed my catalytic converters and O2 sensors replaced. Between the two jobs, my dealer probably would have cost me almost what I paid for the car. Larry was nice enough to make some suggestions that saved me SERIOUS money on the emissions job and John worked his tail off to make sure I wasn’t sitting there all day while he did the installation. Between the two jobs, I spent less than the emissions work would have cost me at the dealer. Thanks guys! Now all you need is a Keurig for customers who have to wait for the work to be done. I’ll be back!

If possible, do not even set foot in this place. Their time estimates are BS, and their mechanics are completely incompetent. I brought my car in because its engine was overheating, and some three and a half hours later (I’d been told that it would be no more than ninety minutes) I was told that the engine was not, in fact, overheating. I went out to check on it and the exact same dashboard indicators (check engine light, elevated engine temperature) were on as before. I guess the multiple workplace safety violations and MACHETE ATTACK a Google search turns up should have been red flags. I am taking the time to write this to try to ensure that my wasted afternoon at Pep Boys will not go for naught, and that if nothing else some people will not make the same mistake I did in the future. Go to the Firestone across the street!

I wish there was a lower rating than one star, this place is the absolute worst and I will never trust them with my car again. Just because my car is old and I’m a college student doesn’t mean that you can take advantage of me and wreck my car so you can get more money out of me. Also, if I really needed new tire roads and an axel, why would you even let me take the car away from your shop. Your basically setting me up to get into a major accident. If you are looking to get your car fixed and not broken I suggest you look somewhere else because this place is a scam.

I never thought I’d be giving a 5 star review for a Pep Boys store. It’s amazing how one person and one good deed can really change your opinion of a place (not to mention, completely make your day!).
I had some bulbs blow out on my Honda. Was in the parking lot of Pep Boys with a friend who was struggling to get into the headlight assembly (he’s an Old School mechanic, so… good with a 76 Chevy, not so much with a 2004 Honda). An employee was on his way to his vehicle (clearly leaving work for the day) but stopped and asked if we needed help. Naturally my friend (and his ego) did NOT want to accept help. The guy (clearly knowing the Male Ego) very nicely asked my friend if he could take a look. He had the blown bulbs out in about 45 seconds, and then walked me into the store, picked up the bulbs I needed, and walked me to the cashier. He even went so far as to introduce me to the manager, and told HIM to help me if we had any trouble. Almost a surreal experience in this day and age.
Jason, I cannot thank you enough. You are an asset to that store!

Let me start off by saying, I loathe mechanics and repair shops. Its a horrible truth but I always feel like they take advantage of my naïveté to stick me with the most expensive repairs. I thought that by going to a chain store I would be spared the headache of inflated estimates and «issues» that magically appear out of thin air. I was wrong.
Came here for an oil change and overall safety inspection. They came back and told me I had a laundry list of issues (on a car that I only recently purchased) and the repairs would run over $ 1000. SAY WHAT?! Two days later I took my car to a certified dealer and asked for the same safety inspection. The dealer came back with one minor repair totaling $ 220. Perplexed by the whopping difference, I asked the mechanic at the dealer about the other issues bought up by Pep Boys, he explained that these were just maintenance jobs that were recommended after a car has certain mileage but not necessary (as the guy at Pep Boys led me to believe).
I’m only giving them 2 stars because the store does have a wide selection of auto supplies at a fair price. Worth going for auto supplies but avoid the repair shop at all cost.

They should be ashamed of themselves.
I got my vehicle towed here and diagnosed.
The diagnostic fee came out to be $ 103. .and may I add for about a half an hour’s worth of time. They said the fuel pump needed to be replaced and that they could get it done by that evening (from 8pm-​9pm when they closed) I was quoted that it would cost $ 957 to get it done. That’s crazy!!!
I marched down there and said what could possibly cost that for one hour’s worth of work. They said, well that it was a 3.5 hour job, but since they didn’t have much going on in the shop at the moment, that they could get all hands on deck and get it done. Essentially, instead of paying for work hours for one person to do it, I would be paying for multiple hands getting it done in just 1 hour.
Sounds like too many cooks spoil the soup too me.
No thanks.
I took is down to a small place in Stamford, they fixed it for $ 575 and threw in the tow to get it down there.
Don’t go here, to charge me that price, right before the holidays nonetheless, not worth it! Stay away!