Rainbow Muffler and Brake – Willoughby

Rodney Conn _{on ChamberofCommerce.com}

Dec 17th, 2021

I have a European car which can be finicky with the parts that are replaced. For that reason I always go with OEM or better parts. In the past I have brought my own specialized parts to rainbow muffler to install. I have provided down pipes, catalytic convertors, and O2 sensors and they have always installed them, until today. I went to the Willoughby Hills location today at 7:30 am and waited for them to open. I had a new pipe and muffler in the car. Bob told me that he won’t install my part, because of warranty issue. I told him I’m not expecting a warranty. The muffler I brought in was stainless steel and would last longer, so I didn’t want to just install normal steel which would rust out in the Ohio weather. He then told me that this would be the last time he would install anything that someone brings in themselves. He put the car on the lift, and brought it back down, then told me that I needed a complete exhaust. Maybe he didn’t realize that I’m also a mechanic and the only reason I brought the car to him was because I don’t weld. I told him that the catalytic convertor and down pipes had recently been replaced, then he changed his story to every thing after the catalytic convertor needs to be replaced. (The only thing after the catalytic convertor is the resonator) I told him I would like the convertor deleted. The resonator has nothing to do with emissions and it’s common practice in these types of cars to remove them for a more aggressive exhaust tone. He told me that He can’t do that. At this point I realized that he was lying to me and simply was frustrated because he couldn’t provide the parts himself and mark them up by 50 to 100%, bottom line is that if he wasn’t going to make hundreds of dollars from me, then I wasn’t worth his time. Bob may be able to pull the wool over those who are not familiar with Auto Repair, but no me. I will never return to a Rainbow muffler location ever again, and I will certainly share my story with all friends and family. I wouldn’t recommend going to a place where they lie to your face.
Ironically there was another lady in the waiting room who had brought her car there because the battery kept going dead. She brought her car in and they told her she had a bad alternator, then all of a sudden the car wouldn’t start. Rainbow told her she needed a new fuel pump, she got the new fuel pump and took the car home, the next day the battery was dead again. She was then told she needed a new alternator, which had already been replaced the year before. She got the new alternator and a new battery, then the next day her battery was dead again. This time she took it to a different mechanic who properly diagnosed the issue as a bad fuel pump Relay. The relay was replaced and the battery no longer drained. This poor lady spent a lot of money having parts installed that she didn’t need. Do yourself a favor and find a reputable mechanic, not this place. BTW Bob don’t tell me to call you to work this out, you have already lost my business permanently!

Alisa Moncrief _{on Google}

Nov 1st, 2021

Great work manager Bob is the best i would highly recommend

victor walker _{on Google}

Oct 29th, 2021

Brake services excellent. Also helped with non brale problem.

Jeff Fredle _{on Google}

Oct 21st, 2021

The person up front was very nice. Work was done quickly, but I had an easy fix this time. Prices are reasonable. Music that was playing was not my style, but.... . FYI - It is best to pay with cash if you have it. They do charge 4% for credit card payments. Will definitely go back when I need to.