Not your father's Pep Boys

twopu · 05-17-05, 12:01

Is it me or has Pep Boys really turned around their product line. I'm very impressed with what my local Pep Boy's is carrying. I'm actually thinking of getting my breaks done there. My mechanic is an hour away so I figure Pep Boy's can handle my break job (raybestos). Any thoughts?

AMDin93103 · 05-17-05, 09:56

My local Pep Boys is the worst place on earth. No one is ever any help, nothing is ever on the shelf; if you are really lucky its in crates next to the shelf. I have called their customer service twice in the last year regarding horrible experiences. It is really too bad because they are really all we have in the near vicinity. Our Napa and Kragen have great CS but don't stock a thing, too small.

MPG96SS · 05-18-05, 06:03

Quote:

Originally posted by pssstue
My local Pep Boys is the worst place on earth. No one is ever any help, nothing is ever on the shelf ; if you are really lucky its in crates next to the shelf.

My local Pep boys is just like that

Pats300zx · 05-18-05, 08:43

I know what you mean. My local PB's really beefed up their product lines. They now carry full lines of Mothers (QD's, FX, metal polishes etc), Eagles One (waxes and tire products), Meguiars (NXT and GC), and the new Long Haul products.

I picked up the new Long Haul Truck Gloss (QD) and will doing a review on it soon.

perry · 05-18-05, 09:43

Local Pep Boys closed down a few years ago when the company was trying to reorganize or whatever the corporate folk call it. Building still sits empty. Wish they were still open, I like to browse the aisles and see what's new. However, I'm not sure I'd let em work on my car.

If you know your brakes and know exactly what you need done and you really don't want to drive to your trusted mechanic, then I suppose they would be alright. If you just ask for a brake job, prepare to pay (probably true of most shops). A better alternative, IMHO, would be to ask your trusted mechanic for a recommendation for someone closer by.

SilverLexus · 05-18-05, 10:10

My local store has some of the new Megs products but the store is run-down, service is crap, and the whole front of the store is all about scooter and small bikes. AutoZone and Advanced Auto Parts (my fave overall) are better....Pep needs to renovate the Atlanta stores badly.

I will say they have one of the deeper detailing product selections but many products are increasingly from cheap brands and restocking is infrequent.

tom p. · 05-18-05, 10:33

My local PepBoyz is pretty good, i've thought. Never have considered them for "work". They are very new to the New England region and I think there are only two stores in the Boston area - lucky for me, one is nearby.

Brakes: I always order the stuff on-line due to vast selection. Either https://www.rockauto.com/ or http://brakewarehouse.com/index.asp

chml17l · 05-18-05, 10:56

I would trade all of our Carquest, Napa, O'reilly's, Autozone, and Advance Autoparts just to have the "bad" Pepboys in Louisiana. Autozone and Advance Autoparts are the biggest we have. Nobody stocks the Michelin Brake Dust Repellent, or has any of the new Megs brushes/towels/applicators. It's like going on a treasure hunt just to try to locate a bottle of the NXT Spray Wax.

Target is on the Vroom kick and why their buyers think an unknown, relabled "boutique" look brand will sell better than Megs or Mothers is beyond me. Good thing they have plenty of shelf space for the George Foreman stuff instead.

Walmart...don't get me started..

I'm getting what I want/need online and have given up on the local so-called suppliers.

DetailGirl · 05-18-05, 01:32

Quote:

Originally posted by pssstue
My local Pep Boys is the worst place on earth. No one is ever any help, nothing is ever on the shelf; if you are really lucky its in crates next to the shelf. I have called their customer service twice in the last year regarding horrible experiences. It is really too bad because they are really all we have in the near vicinity. Our Napa and Kragen have great CS but don't stock a thing, too small.

Yep the pep boys here sucks as well.

TW85 HHI · 05-18-05, 01:47

Quote:

Originally posted by chml17l
Target is on the Vroom kick and why their buyers think an unknown, relabled "boutique" look brand will sell better than Megs or Mothers is beyond me. Good thing they have plenty of shelf space for the George Foreman stuff instead.

Funny you mention that. I have been getting better durability from the Vroom Tire Dressing than I have from Wolfgang, Four Star, and Pinnacle...and it is at most 1/3 the cost of the others! I think when more people start to try some of the Vroom products, they will realize they are pretty decent, especially for OTC.

Sullybob · 05-18-05, 02:07

The Pep Boys here are really hit or miss. I can walk into the one down the street from me and be really impressed with how neat and clean the store and employee's are, the shelves are full of different products and everyone is killing them selves to make sure I am helped. The I walk into the store by my brother in law's house and be disgusted, the store is filthy and the people could care less if I need help or not.

DetailGirl · 05-18-05, 05:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Sullybob
The Pep Boys here are really hit or miss. I can walk into the one down the street from me and be really impressed with how neat and clean the store and employee's are, the shelves are full of different products and everyone is killing them selves to make sure I am helped. The I walk into the store by my brother in law's house and be disgusted, the store is filthy and the people could care less if I need help or not.

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