Merchant’s Tire & Auto Centers

I had gone here previously and vowed never to return as tired of the sales games and up selling. During the recent snow storm I had problems with a tire and could not find any other business open so had no choice but to come here. Apparently they have changed management and the old sales tactics went with them. They were pleasant, efficient, apologetic that lot not cleaner even though it had just stopped snowing, and the bill was not more than I expected. In no time they had repaired my tire and performed an oil change (at my request, it was not suggested by them) and I was on the road.

Picture the scene. 7.35 p.m. Pitch black. Snowy/​icy roads post-​Storm Jonas. I go to Hess on 29N to inflate my low tires. But, as I attached the air nozzle to one of my tire valves, the valve stem broke. The tire starts to deflate and I start to panic, because, should I drive home, it’s highly likely that my tire will be flat in the morning. Thankfully, when I went online, I discovered that Merchant’s was open until 8 p.m.
I reached the auto center around 7.55 p.m. Frederick and DiJohn saved the day — staying late to fit me a new valve stem and never grumbling. They also charged me a fair price for their labor and were, frankly, brilliant. Thanks guys for saving a Damsel in Distress on a cold winter’s night.

Pros: convenient location (s) and ability to pass state inspection when others won’t. Low cost.
Cons: horrible customer service, shady business practices and erratic service. Barely suitable for basic services. Staff consistently looks like one that would rather steal your car than fix it.
I’ve attempted to use this place as a low cost service option. Consistently they’ve managed to screw up even basic services including not rotating tires, not meeting service pickup times, breaking small parts. Sadly I’ll find another option.

They are now under new management, and seem to be efficient and relatively organized now. We are back to going there for service and seem to get in and out relatively quickly.

So friendly and fast! In and out. I went to get two new tires and when I told them I was on my lunch break, they got me in the garage right away and I was done in less than 30 min. The manager Page is really nice, and they didn’t try to sell me anything I don’t need. I felt appreciated as a customer.

Merchant’s Tire & Auto on Rio has a new Manager who is doing a great job. He’s been there just a few months, and he is really improving the place. I had an oil change/​rotation; in/​out in no time. The service and free advice from Joe was exceptional. The waiting room is first class (clean, no smoking ANYwhere, Kuerig, water, did I say CLEAN?). I will be back. My cars have found a home.

First, it’s great that you’re able to make an appointment online. I noticed a clicking sound yesterday and late last night found out it was a screw in my tire. I made an appointment (at like, midnight) for this morning, which is great because I move away for the summer in two days. I brought it in, and they worked on it right away. The guy pulled it out and adjusted the air pressure and didn’t charge me anything because it didn’t puncture anything more than the tread. The guys were all very friendly and friendly to the other customers too while I waited (which wasn’t many, because I was in and out in less than a half hour!). No unnecessary paperwork and no charge. Good service, and I would definitely recommend. The waiting room is clean and quiet and also has lots of windows so there must be a different «windowless» waiting room elsewhere (as mentioned in someone else’s review).

Started out well with them fixing my slowly leaking tire for free but then they could never completely fix the leak. Repeated visits without success. I bought new tires there to replace the leaking tire but had other problems with those tires. Frustrating experience.

very nice. very thoughtful. didn’t overcharge when they could and had a little good humor along the way. i strongly recommend them.

I knew exactly what was wrong with my car and they wanted me to pay for a complete diagnostic just so they could confirm what I already knew.

I just had to get four new tires on my car, and Merchant’s beat everyone else’s price in town (they gave me $ 50 off, which sealed the deal). My tires had to be special ordered and they could have had them on a Monday (I was ordering on a Saturday), but I scheduled it for that Wednesday since I had another appointment in the area. (I don’t know if they offer free transportation to nearby places because I was meeting my husband for that appointment and didn’t ask.)
They did a free alignment and brakes check, and found everything in excellent condition, so I didn’t need anything other than tires. My car was ready when I asked it to be. No complaints here.

Been coming here for years after being burned by several other local garages. I have always received excellent service here both in terms of quality of workmanship and customer service. After having 3 cars serviced and repaired here regularly over the past 7 years (1 Honda, 1 Toyota, 1 Volvo) I can highly recommend them if you have a car of any of those makes. They have a terrificHonda master mechanic named Stu. All mechanics are ASE certified and they are very ethical as well.

Had slow leak in a tire and they repaired right away. No fuss. Felt like I got good value and good service. We come back here again for my tire needs.

Great tire shop. I brought in my late model Saab conv., for new tires and they stocked a workable set of high-​performance Yokohamas. I really only needed a pair, as the others were borderline. But the pricing was fair (in comparison to my usual Costco tire purchases) and their attitude was so good that I opted to buy a complete set. Good price on the alignment, too. One of the TPM sensors was shot and they didn’t stock it, but they offered install it at a later date at no extra charge. This is clearly a well-​managed, well-​run tire shop and so I’m likely to come back for other basic services in the future.

There’s not really much special about this place, nor bad. It’s your standard tire shop. I got the year alignment package and I go here to rotate and align the tires every time I change my oil.
One crappy thing is that they don’t allow you to bring in your own filter if you asked them to change the oil. I usually change my own oil and I use MANN-​FILTER for my oil filters and I was lazy that day so I brought my own oil and filter for them to do it for me, but they said they couldn’t use my filter because of company policy. Boo.
So that’s a ding, but most people don’t care anyway.
Anyway, its what it is. more like 2 ½ stars, cause its not «A-​OK», just «OK»

In the ongoing saga of my car, I brought the Honda to Merchant’s to get the alignment and tire pressure checked out. The folks here looked at those two items as well as the suspension, and didn’t find anything actionable. Whole process took about an hour and a half and cost around $ 25. I’m not a hypochondriac when it comes to my car, I swear, but I do think there’s something to be said for taking good care of it and for getting peace of mind when things don’t seem quite right. I’m glad Merchant’s was able to help me out in that regard.