I pulled in to Driver's Edge for a State Inspection because they were next door to where I had just bought new tires. I got a bad vibe when I walked in, but I stayed simply because my car is only 3 years old and I knew there were no problems with it.
While I was waiting, they finished the Inspection for the guy who was there before me. They came in and told him he failed the Inspection because he had bad wiper blades and something else that I forgot. Whatever it was, I remember thinking it was very convenient that he "failed" on two simple things that Driver's Edge just happened to have the replacements for. He paid what they asked and left.
When they finished with my car, they came in and told me that my car passed except for the gas cap. They said it didn't seal. But they had one they could sell me so I could pass Inspection. They even had the gas cap in a box sitting next to the register, ready to ring up.
I said I'd just take my keys and leave. They said they wouldn't let me go unless I paid for the Inspection and they wouldn't give me the sticker unless I paid for the gas cap. I told them I didn't believe them because the car was only 3 years old. I've owned individual cars for 15 years or more and never had the gas cap fail an Inspection. I finally told them flat out that I thought they were trying to scam me. First they acted like I'd hurt their feelings. When I continued to press the matter, they suddenly got mad, started yelling, and told me to get out of their shop. I said I wouldn't leave without my car. They again yelled for me to get out and not come back. I said I had no plans to come back but I wouldn't leave without my car. The guy reached for the phone and said he would call 911 if I didn't get off their property. I pulled out my cell phone and said I would call for them because they were holding my car hostage. The guy yelled that he would bring my car around.
He did. I left.
I drove down the street to a different car shop. Guess what? I passed Inspection. I specifically checked the gas cap rating and it showed PASS.
After getting home, I checked online for local reviews of Driver's Edge. Out of the 11 reviews I found, 10 of them gave the place 1 star and each one said they were rip-off artists.
EDIT: I have since checked the reviews for other locations of Driver's Edge throughout the area. The location I went to had the most negative reviews, but all of the other locations also have a majority of reviews stating that they are unscrupulous. My recommendation would be to avoid this chain completely.
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