My Honda needed a muffler repair that was completed on 7/16/09. The final price of repair was substantially higher than estimates I got from other Albany area Midas dealers. My son went to this dealer simply because this location was the closest to him. He assumed repair would be close to the estimates I obtained. I was shocked when I saw the final bill. I spoke with manager, Mark, that afternoon. I told him I disagree with the repair price. It was $80 above other estimates. He did not accept my reasoning. he hid behind the veil of “each Midas repair can mark prices up at their will.” He blew me off spouting gibberish. I investigated. These facts were presented verbally to Mark on 2 occasions over 1 month. In the last conversation, he stated that if a refund is to be issued, the owner Kent Smith needs to authorize it. No monies were refunded. Local MIDAS repair centers confirmed that there are 2 ways of repairing a 1999 Honda Civic muffler. I cite prices I canvassed from 3 other local Albany Midas centers. Choice #1 1999 Honda Civic 4 door has a Midas muffler WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE WELDED/ATTACHED for $129 part # 241224. They charged 153.95. Choice #2 The same repair may be accomplished by using muffler part #152015 for $89 and an attachable exhaust pipe part #320275 for about $40. The price from repair was 49.95. The total price of #1 and totals of #2 are about $129. This sheister billed for the complete unit 241224 (#1) that has the exhaust pipe as an integral part of the muffler assembly AND the exhaust pipe from #2. He fraudulently billed for a product that was never installed. He also price gouged me by selling products that are NOT competitively priced for this region. Refund was obtained by taking owner to small claims court.I showed up, he did not even bother.On the refund check he mocked me by writing, "REFUND FOR CHEAP CUSTOMER." He was wrong, with no remorse. Shame on him.

This Midas repair center committed fraud by billing for UNINSTALLED part.It also marks up products more than 20% from similar Midas franchises in this area. Settlement of claim required small claims court. The owner, Mr. Kent Smith is arrogant and without remorse. I would avoid this repair center at all cost.