Pep Boys Auto Service & Tires — Attraction in Jersey City

CAR OWNERS BEWARE!!! I took my car in for a basic oil change. I have a manual car and my gear selector was moving like butter before I brought it here. As soon as I got back in the car, my gear selector wasn’t moving properly. I couldn’t get in second at first. I drove the car behind BigLots to see if it was a temporary issue and it wasn’t. The gear selector was sticking at every gear and had to fight it to get it in neutral. I brought it back as soon as I realized the car wasn’t working properly. I spoke with Reynaldo who was less than helpful. I told him the issue and he was trying to convince me that everything was “perfect” when he gave me the car. I showed him the issue and continue to convince me the problem didn’t happen at the garage, even though I didn’t even leave the shopping center. Then he tried to convince me it was the reserve lockout getting stuck and causing the issue (never was an issue AT ALL). Yet he never confirmed or even touched the car to come to that conclusion. After fighting back and forth and even being suggesting that I come back on Monday to see the manager (which I was not having that, the car was not safe to drive on 440 let alone back home), he finally had the mechanic take a look at the car. He also was saying the same, that the problem was probably because the reverse lockout getting stuck (yet again, not a problem that was happening). The mechanic drove it, came back, and said it was shifting fine. I didn’t leave without making sure and the problem was still apparent. Finally they took it back to the garage, opened the hood, and not even a minute passed (literally straight away) before they “found” the problem. I was told they would have needed to lift the car to check what was wrong and apparently they didn’t even need to do that to “find” the issue. Yet again trying to convince me something totally new, how the positive terminal cover from the battery somehow broke on its own (which I just recently got this car at the beginning of the month at the Toyota dealer and I know for a fact that terminal cover was not broken) and somehow wedged itself between my gear selector fork. Also might I add, all of this happened when the car was in the garage for the oil change. The car was driven, by me, to PepBoys and was shifting perfectly fine until they gave it back to me. Now I have to take it back to the dealer because I’m sure with all of this put unnecessary wear on the gear selector fork. Very disappointed in the service, Reynaldo, and the overall foolery that happened today. The people here should be ashamed of themselves because if I didn’t put up a fight to get this issue resolve, my livelihood or worse the lives of others would have been affected if the gear selector would have broke on...

Experience is kind of mixed, still I would rate as 1 Star for my exp. I was here to check my flat tire if it can be repaired or need to be replaced.

Visit 1: Checked my flat tire and told it can't be repaired and needs to be replaced. But tire was not available at that time and told they will contact me after checking wat other locations which didnt happen.

Visit 2: This is by phone call. When called to inquire about the tire, kept on hold for 15 mins and confirmed they have it, when asked price I was put on hold and never got back, so I disconnected.

Visit 3: I stopped by next day at 7 PM to fix it, but was told that guy who fixes has left for the day and asked to come next day.

Visit 4: I stopped by at 4:30PM, same reply saying that the guy was about to leave and they have few cars to look at it, the front desk lady listened to me and promised that I will have a free installation as a complimentary service visiting 4 times and going back without fixing the car. I asked for appointment but was told that I will get the car done immediately next day and told to mention her name, and told that she had a note on the account (I know the name of the lady who promised, but don't want to reveal).

Visit 5: I stopped by around 2:30PM next day, another front desk lady upon coming told that it will take 3 hrs to fix it and have cars in line to be repaired or checked, I explained her whole situation and my visits and complementary free installation, when I told her to check my account she said there is nothing so my complementary service is gone, i cant debate as I have no proof except the trust on the lady who said she had a notes on my account. I thought getting my car tire would be great compliement. Next, the search for the new tire in the warehouse took 25 mins (was woried if it's been given to another customer) and brought the tire, and took my keys finally. After 2 hrs I was called and told all done, replaced tire and spare tire left in the trunk. I was charged the installation (shop fee) which was promised to waive off the other day.

That's my experience...

Stay away from this location. They are liars & scammers. They will pull every scummy trick from the book to overcharge you.

My car needed a diagnostic because it broke down due to a faulty alternator. They charged me $99 diagnostic fee which seemed fair.

A few days later I got a call saying that I needed to authorize work to be done. They claimed I needed a new alternator, new serpentine belt & new battery. They quoted me $489 for a new alternator that you can but at the next door AutoZone for $194.

When asked if I could supply my own parts, they agreed & added another $155 labor charge to the invoice. I asked why the extra charge. They said that they charge extra labor if we supply our own parts. Simple as that.

Every part I listed on the quote was more than 2x market price. I understand that shops need to make a profit somewhere, but the rate they charge is beyond what any reasonable shop would. If you decide to use your own parts, they double charge you on labor fees.

In the end, I decided to replace the alternator & belt myself. When I went to take my car back, they charged a $15 shop supplies fee which wasn’t initially listed on the quote, so in the end the diagnostic cost $117 after tax.

Throughout the entire experience the shop manager Stacy was extremely rude & demeaning. She lied to me on the phone multiple times about the work that NEEDED to be done to get the car running, & the state of my battery health which I confirm using my own tools after taking my car back.

On top of that, when she originally quoted me, she claimed that I HAD to authorize the work within the next hour because my car was taking up a bay at their shop, & it needed to be authorized now. Another scare tactic.

I genuinely feel bad for anyone that comes to this shop & doesn’t know anything about cars. They will lie, scam & scare you into $1000s of dollars in fees, warranties you don’t need, 2x priced car parts, & double charged labor fees.

The most dishonest experience I’ve ever had at a mechanics shop.

Beware of this. I’d recommend going to literally any other...