Yes, I went to Pep Boys... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Scalded Dog · 03-30-2015, 01:09 PM

... and I have to quit talking smack.

I've always despised 'em... always called 'em Perp Boys.

A few days ago, my daughter's car broke down. I had to load up all of the tools, parts, and equipment that I might need to change a CV axle on the side of the road, and head over to the town she was broken down in.

I changed the axle without too much difficulty. But then I needed to add transmission oil (10w- 30 for this car). It's tricky, a real pain in the butt... loosen the plug (only accessible by jacking the car up, reaching deep into the bowels of the engine area), and then fill the case (through a hole on the SIDE (not the top!) of the case, by snaking a hose down through three feet of tightly- packed bowels).

But... that f'n plug bolt wasn't coming out. I used an open end, then a 12- point (I think it was a 17mm which was a perfect, tight fit). Didn't work.... rounded of the hex edges. Went to Vise Grips, and latched that thing on tight as hell... rounded the head off even further. I beat it with a hammer, I cursed, I groveled in the soil (well, I was there already). I fought with that GD bolt for an hour.

Finally decided to drive the car a couple of miles to... Pep boys. It was the only place open. I would have felt LESS ashamed walking into a whorehouse next door to a church. Described the problem. Dude was apprehensive, but I begged him. He reluctantly put it on the lift, and after "struggling" for two seconds, had that damn bolt out. Amazing what an impact wrench will do. Then, since it was on the lift, AND since he had the pumps to facilitate oil insertion UPWARD and into a sidehole, he went ahead and filled the case. Then, he closed it all back up, dropped the lift, and handed over the keys.

I asked him what the charge was... he said, "Don't worry about it. No big deal. Have a nice day!"

And that was all.

I'd have gladly paid $50, and even begrudgingly paid $100. I told him that, too... but he just said it was on the house.

Hell, maybe the guy didn't even work there... maybe he was just a customer waiting for something else. I don't know. I don't care.

Whatever... I holler loudly and clearly when a business treats me poorly... but, in order to avoid being a hypocrite, I must also holler loudly and clearly when somebody does something exceptionally good.

FenwickHockey65 · 03-30-2015, 01:13 PM

Given what I've heard about Pep Boys I think this was an exception to the rule.

shibbs · 03-30-2015, 01:32 PM

This would have been a really stand-up thing for ANY business to do. That's crazy. Send them over some pizzas. Really. I've never worked at a shop that HASN'T loved getting a few pizzas dropped off.

RubyCamaro · 03-30-2015, 01:42 PM

Nice!

BMR Sales · 03-30-2015, 03:51 PM

Always good to hear about companies going above & beyond!

Splitter · 03-30-2015, 04:01 PM

Awesome story!

Reineke · 03-30-2015, 06:48 PM

Did they put the old, rounded-off plug back in?

wally mayfield · 03-30-2015, 06:51 PM

Which PepBoys was it???

ssrs2lt · 03-30-2015, 07:22 PM

Nice ..the pep boys by where I work are the same way.. Glad for ya!

JakesRJT · 03-30-2015, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reineke

Did they put the old, rounded-off plug back in?

I was wondering this too... If he did that's probably why it was free because you'll play hell getting that bad boy back out again especially after the impact wrench tightened it down good...

Either way though it's nice to hear of good experience with companies.. We don't have any Pep Boys around here so, to hear yall say it, it sounds like I'm lucky to have never had experience with them before...

Scalded Dog · 03-31-2015, 09:24 AM

Redlands, CA, Pep Boys... yes, they did put the old rounded plug back in. I asked them to, as this is a dealer- only item. He did not use the impact wrench to re- install it, though... it's only sorta hand- tight, so once I get one that has a great hex shape to the head, it shouldn't be too difficult to replace.

Bulldog3071 · 03-31-2015, 08:15 PM

Good story. I always liked Pep Boys, we don't have them here in Greensboro, NC. The guy who fixed your car did you a big favor, maybe you should send an e-mail to Pep Boys could help the guy out.

Q'smuscle · 03-31-2015, 08:34 PM

Nice! Give them something for just not wanting to charge you anything. I always give ppl something that don't want to charge me because time is money and their machines / tools were not free for them. Happy everything worked out !

03-30-2015, 01:09 PM	#1
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Yes, I went to Pep Boys... ... and I have to quit talking smack. I've always despised 'em... always called 'em Perp Boys. A few days ago, my daughter's car broke down. I had to load up all of the tools, parts, and equipment that I might need to change a CV axle on the side of the road, and head over to the town she was broken down in. I changed the axle without too much difficulty. But then I needed to add transmission oil (10w- 30 for this car). It's tricky, a real pain in the butt... loosen the plug (only accessible by jacking the car up, reaching deep into the bowels of the engine area), and then fill the case (through a hole on the SIDE (not the top!) of the case, by snaking a hose down through three feet of tightly- packed bowels). But... that f'n plug bolt wasn't coming out. I used an open end, then a 12- point (I think it was a 17mm which was a perfect, tight fit). Didn't work.... rounded of the hex edges. Went to Vise Grips, and latched that thing on tight as hell... rounded the head off even further. I beat it with a hammer, I cursed, I groveled in the soil (well, I was there already). I fought with that GD bolt for an hour. Finally decided to drive the car a couple of miles to... Pep boys. It was the only place open. I would have felt LESS ashamed walking into a whorehouse next door to a church. Described the problem. Dude was apprehensive, but I begged him. He reluctantly put it on the lift, and after "struggling" for two seconds, had that damn bolt out. Amazing what an impact wrench will do. Then, since it was on the lift, AND since he had the pumps to facilitate oil insertion UPWARD and into a sidehole, he went ahead and filled the case. Then, he closed it all back up, dropped the lift, and handed over the keys. I asked him what the charge was... he said, "Don't worry about it. No big deal. Have a nice day!" And that was all. I'd have gladly paid $50, and even begrudgingly paid $100. I told him that, too... but he just said it was on the house. Hell, maybe the guy didn't even work there... maybe he was just a customer waiting for something else. I don't know. I don't care. Whatever... I holler loudly and clearly when a business treats me poorly... but, in order to avoid being a hypocrite, I must also holler loudly and clearly when somebody does something exceptionally good. Last edited by Scalded Dog; 03-30-2015 at 02:08 PM.

03-30-2015, 01:13 PM	#2
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,374 View My Garage	Given what I've heard about Pep Boys I think this was an exception to the rule. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

03-30-2015, 01:42 PM	#4
RubyCamaro Jan Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Red Jewel tintcoat Join Date: May 2010 Location: Springfield, TN Posts: 16,239 View My Garage	Nice! __________________

03-30-2015, 06:51 PM	#8
wally mayfield Drives: 2013 2SS 6M Join Date: May 2013 Location: eastern high sierra Posts: 893	Which PepBoys was it??? __________________ Strut tower brace(GM), CAI, Blade Spoiler, ZL1 wheels and tires, Heritage grill, Dual mode exhaust, and thats it, no more..except for the lowering springs..Ok Hotchkis springs were delivered today, thats it..

03-30-2015, 07:22 PM	#9
ssrs2lt Drives: too many Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: oh va pa ma tx Posts: 3,046	Nice ..the pep boys by where I work are the same way.. Glad for ya! __________________

03-30-2015, 03:51 PM	#5
BMR Sales Drives: Race Car Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seffner, FL Posts: 6,226	Always good to hear about companies going above & beyond!

03-30-2015, 04:01 PM	#6
Splitter Account Suspended Drives: '14 RRM 1LT/RS A6 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MA Posts: 2,065	Awesome story!

03-30-2015, 06:48 PM	#7
Reineke Drives: 2010 SW Camaro 2SS RS 6M Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Van Alstyne, TX Posts: 97	Did they put the old, rounded-off plug back in?

03-31-2015, 09:24 AM	#11
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Redlands, CA, Pep Boys... yes, they did put the old rounded plug back in. I asked them to, as this is a dealer- only item. He did not use the impact wrench to re- install it, though... it's only sorta hand- tight, so once I get one that has a great hex shape to the head, it shouldn't be too difficult to replace.

03-31-2015, 08:15 PM	#12
Bulldog3071 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 930 View My Garage	Good story. I always liked Pep Boys, we don't have them here in Greensboro, NC. The guy who fixed your car did you a big favor, maybe you should send an e-mail to Pep Boys could help the guy out. __________________ Hurst Short Throw Shifter, K&N CAI, SRP Racing Pedals, GM Performance Exhaust, GM GFX Package Lakewood Strut Tower Brace, JBA Shorty Headers, JBA 8 MM Wires, Airaid TB Spacer, Phastek CAI Scoop, Washer Bottle Relocation Kit, Stainlees Steel Brake Lines, Brake Performance Slotted and Drilled Rotors, BMR Tunnel Brace, BMR Trailing Arms, BMR Subframe Connectors, Borla ATAK Muffelers, Z28 Wickerbill Spoiler, VTC, Bow Tie Delete, BMR Adjustable Front Swaybar, BMR End Link Kit, BMR Extreme Rear Anti-Roll Kit, Diablo I1000 "InTune"

03-31-2015, 08:34 PM	#13
Q'smuscle Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro VR 2SS/RS & Impala Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Riverside,ca Posts: 5,342 View My Garage	Nice! Give them something for just not wanting to charge you anything. I always give ppl something that don't want to charge me because time is money and their machines / tools were not free for them. Happy everything worked out !