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BachRodham t1_iu3t46x wrote

Reply to comment by Antnee83 in Make sure you sign the Automotive Right to Repair initiative! by Antnee83

>> said Tim Winkeler, president of VIP Tires and Service in Maine

Man, they really should have picked a different guy to be the public face for this.

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Antnee83 OP t1_iu3td60 wrote

Ha, yeah no doubt.

Still, I will take a win for consumers.

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metalandmeeples t1_iu42foy wrote

Tim Winkeler is a good guy. I worked with him many years ago when he first came to VIP and he was the kind of executive that would strike up a conversation with any employee and show genuine interest beyond pointless small talk.

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MathematicianGlum880 t1_iu43406 wrote

VIP is the worst. Changed rotors on a three year old Honda. They weren’t even bad, so I took them back and told them they did work I didn’t need done. They look for stuff. Then years later, I had my mothers car and it needed an inspection so I took it there as it was available. They stuck a piece of metal in the brake pad. I saw them looking and looking at the engine (not needed for inspection) and I knew. Car never gave me issues until I drove it from that place. Never went back.

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metalandmeeples t1_iu439qs wrote

Which location? It was unfortunately hit or miss.

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Adventurous_Lion_919 t1_iu6yjjy wrote

VIP really is. Used to go to them just for the convenience of getting in the next day, but after they charged my mother almost $200 for 8 lugnuts (roughly $27 a piece) after a simple brake job, I refuse to give them another penny.

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eljefino t1_iu48sb6 wrote

Say what you will, they're among the largest independent chains of shops.

My new prius has a 4G connection to Toyota motherland, so if I ever get a check engine light, they'll know about it. I can't disable it without also killing my hands-free phone-- I've tried. I told Toyota to ignore my car but you know how that goes...

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