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Pep Boys just pissed me off royally!
I'm checking over the 945, doing the spring oil change, etc. and I hear a funny noise that should not be. I dig around and the T-Belt tensioner is BAD. Just caught it, the belt/tensioner isn't that old, maybe 40K but obviously, I have a longer project this afternoon.
I need the car on Monday so I go over to PEP Boys instead of ordering from FCP Groton or IPD which I would have preferred. PEPys lists a "Timing Belt Kit" for $52. This compares unfavorably with FCP's price for a tensioner and belt but not so bad that I won't pay for the convenience of having it today.
They do not have it in stock.
The store 2 towns over has it in stock and away I go to pick it up.
The counter flunky wanders off to get it and returns with a box that looks way too small for what I expect. I open it and there is no belt. I ask where the belt is and the guy tells me there is no belt.
"Why not?", I ask.
"That is separate", he says.
"But the other store said it was a kit", says I.
"We do not supply the belt in the kit", says he.
"Why not?"
"Dayco does not supply it."
"Why do you call it a kit?"
"Because that is what we call it."
(must be because they supply instructions with the tensioner in-a-box)
"How much for the belt?"
"We don't carry it."
I suspect my blood pressure went through the roof at this point. I needed the blasted thing so I bought it and went back to the first store and raised hell. Nothing accomplished but at least I felt better. Went across the street to Advance Auto and they did not have it either but could have it by Sunday morning so I dropped another $22 on the belt.
Total cost, over $80 w/tax for what I can get at FCP Groton for $39. Believe me, I'm ordering a new set to keep in the shop for when I need one. Screw PEP Boys, I wonder why I even bother with them. The only reason they can stay in business is because they are open when NAPA, etc. are not.
Bob K
'94 945T
'99 S80
'88 240DL
'84 242Ti
'89 560SL
'88 300TE
'68 GT500KR
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