The following is a copy of a complaint submitted at Meineke.com on 09/09/2006: We have a Very Serious Situation!! I had emailed you twice previously regarding the poor service received from your Morrisville, NC franchise. Now, the situation has become very dire for all involved. We took our 2002 VW Jetta to the Morrisville Meineke for what should have been a simple repair for an exhaust leak. This was on 07/11/06. The shop replaced a flex-pipe (ES7841), but failed to replace the 'donut' gasket during the repair. R.J., the shop manager stated that the mechanic, Kevin Sign had told him that the gasket was in 'good shape'. I questioned that decision, having been schooled to always replace a gasket that had been previously seated. Sure enough, the very next day, we had to take the car back because the exhaust was leaking again. When I brought the car in for the re-repair, I was asked if I could go get the replacement gasket from a VW dealer, because they did not have anyone available to pick up the part. I did go pick up the part since we needed the vehicle. After that experience is when I emailed the initial complaint to you. You in turn, forwarded the email to the Morrisville franchise owner. He in turn, emailed me a 'NastyGram', rather than an apology. I sent you a copy of his response, and did not hear anything further from him or your staff. Then, on 09/04/06, I drove the car (it is my wife's car), and discovered that the exhaust was leaking again, and also that there was a heavy vibration upon acceleration. We immediately took the vehicle back to the Morrisville Meineke (which was closed for labor day), and left the vehicle with a completed 'night drop' form and the key. My wife dealt with R.J. (mgr.) the next day regarding the re-repair. When she picked the car up, she was told that the flex pipe (ES7841) was again replaced. When my wife asked him about the vibration, he told her that they suspected faulty motor mounts, which was probably the root cause of the recurring exhaust problems ? (sic) I told my wife not to drive the car until I came home from work. When I came home, we took the vehicle to the VW dealer. We described the vibration problem and exhaust repair history to Mike Smith (VW service advisor) and the mechanic that would be looking at it the next day. The next morning, Mike Smith called me at work. He told me that the Meineke shop had ruined our exhaust system, from the exhaust manifold, back! Mike said that there were numerous unauthorized welds and brackets welded to the system (also indicating that these were fresh welds), and that components were twisted, causing the exhaust to vibrate against the vehicle. He added that the engine mounts were inspected and found no defects; that the vibration was caused entirely by the faulty repairs completed by your Morrisville shop. Now to the core of this very dire situation. We have a repair bill of $1422.89 from the VW Dealer. We have lost work time and several days use of the VW Jetta. We expect to be reimbursed for all encumbrances, including the initial repair bill of $281.66 (inv. # 6825). When you reply with your email address, and the franchise owners email address, I will gladly forward copies of all related documentation. Thereupon, I would expect a prompt refund all above stated costs, as well as a heart-felt apology. If for some reason, this does not transpire, then I would be forced to utilize civil proceedings, in addition to the local (CBS, major market), medias' consumer advocate to publicize our plight! Sincerely, Ronald L. Carr To date, the frachise owner has offered to refund only the cost of the original repair, even though this event cost us almost $2000