VIP Auto Parts / VIP Tires & Service
reviews and complaints

VIP charged me $402.49 to replace the leak detection pump in my 2003 Volvo S80 on 7/9/21. They also installed a mass air flow sensor at this time which initially failed. The mass air flow sensor was corrected by purchasing a genuine Volvo replacement. They said this was likely the case for the failed replacement leak detection pump, so I was told to return in a few weeks for the replacement to the replacement pump. This did not solve the issue; I took the car back many times over the next three months and each time they said they replaced the pump, but the check engine light remained on with a p2400 code. I eventually took the car to Merrimack Street Volvo where they upgraded the computer software to run a diagnostic and found the leak detection pump wasn't showing up in the system. They found the pins on the pump had been broken. The Volvo dealership replaced the pump with a genuine Volvo leak detection pump which corrected the issue. It was $856.76 on 11/02/21 for all the dealership work to correct VIP breaking the pump they installed.

Merrimack Street Volvo information:

Invoice number = V0CS252490.

Software upgrade FP-number = [protected]-9 “Total upgrade C” price = $80.21

Pump FP-Number= [protected]-2 “Pump” price = $216.55

Labor for both the software and pump = $560 Parts total = $296.76

Manchester VIP information:

Invoice number = [protected]

Work order = [protected]

R&R Leak detection pump Item = 3263 price = $125 EXT price = $187.50

Outside Purchase Part Item = OPPART price = $214.99 EXT price = $214.99

Total = $402.49

I had a low tire on the highway back in June of 2020 on my way to Maine - it would not take air so I stopped at the VIP Tires in Portsmouth, NH. They sold me 4 tires which I did need. When I went for service recently (Oct. 2021) at my dealership they told me the tires were worn and should be replaced before winter. They said they were the wrong size for my car, 17-inch instead of 15-inch and that was the reason they were wearing so badly. I only have a 8000k miles on these brand new tires and am going to need to replace them this fall.

I have uploaded the original receipt from VIP Tire as well as the service record at dealership indicating the issue.

I paid $657 for these tires and need to purchase new ones for around the same amount. I am looking for some reimbursement on these tires.

My drivers side window was stuck in the down position on 2/19/17. I scheduled an appointment with VIP auto service in Gorham, Maine to have the window repaired. The staff was very accommodating and friendly. They asked if I be able to leave my vehicle overnight, as the part was not in until 2/20/17. I was able to adjust my scheduling and leave my car at the facility.
The staff noted that they would get to the repair first thing in the morning on 2/20/17.
I called the location around 9am and asked them what the status of my repair was. The person who answered the phone stated that the vehicle was being worked on, and they had no idea when it would be done.
I received a call back at 10:13AM, and was told that as they were backing out the vehicle, another customer hit the rear bumper and damaged the vehicle.
The staff, while very friendly, offered me an apology and the other driver's insurance information. I was not even on the premises when the accident occurred. I had nothing to do with the accident whatsoever, and now have to follow up for an insurance claim, as well as spend time on additional repairs that now need to be made to the vehicle.
I do not believe that a simple apology is sufficient, given the additional time that this will take to resolve. Time equals money, and this is now costing me additional time. I would like to be compensated for this incident, as I had absolutely nothing to do with the accident, and now have to follow up to resolve everything.

I used to work for VIP Auto and by far it was one of the worst jobs I ever had in management. The company only focuses on taking as much money out of your wallet by making their employees sell you these *** gimmick maintenance services that is as much or more than the dealerships charge. The chain of management is horrible and they treat their employees like complete crap. Steer clear of these ***, they are notorious for not standing behind their "lifetime" warranty on labor and use numerous scam ads for tire sales. Don't say you weren't warned...don't give these guys a dime of your money.

Last year I purchased a lifetime alignment package ($199.00) for my 2002 Toyota Camry at VIP. There was no mention at the point of purchase of a requirement to have all future frontend work done at VIP. When I took the Camry in for an alignment at the Winslow, Maine store today I was informed the alignment package was voided because I had some frontend work done by someone other than VIP. We all know that having this work done by another vendor does not cause VIP any additional work or expense relating to the alignment. It is simply a restrictive clause that forces me to do business with VIP.

To be fair there is a boilerplate statement on the back of the invoice which states, "If your vehicle needs an alignment to worn or broken chassis or front end parts VIP will still provide the alignment for free provided the replacement parts and labor are purchased from VIP". I like most consumers do not ever read all this boilerplate on the back of nearly all invoices. My complaint is one that VIP did not make me aware of this prior to my purchase and two they have no right to restrict who I can chose to service my vehicle as long as it does not affect the time and or expense of performing the agreed upon work. It's just like the just like the coal miners who were paid in company script which forced them to buy everything at the company store.

In October of 2008, I bought a set of tires at VIP Auto Parts in Mexico, Maine guaranteed for 50, 000 miles. By November of 2009, the tires were bald, and the steel belts were showing on one of them, even though I'd only put 22, 000 miles on them. I took them back to VIP, and had to argue for over 30 minutes with several people, including the manager, to convince them that the tires did not perform as they were supposed to and I should receive a proportional discount on a future set of tires. They tried to make all sorts of excuses that I had not maintained the tires properly, for example, did not have the wheels aligned frequently enough, causing the tires to wear prematurely. But because the tires were evenly bald, and I did not give up, they were forced to admit that the tires did not perform as they were supposed to and they agreed to give me 60% of their value or $143 off another set of tires. I had brought snow tires with me for them to install on the rims. They did so, I paid the recycling fee, they kept the bald tires, and I drove away thinking that all was fair.

A few weeks ago, I went over to cash in my $143 discount on a new set of tires. The same man who primarily worked with me last fall when the problem with the tires was resolved waited on me. He first told me that the tires I wanted, which they had to get from their warehouse because they were not in the store, did not qualify for this discount. After telling him that this was ridiculous, he went into the back to talk to the manager for about 10 minutes. He returned, and informed me that in order to qualify for this $143 discount, I would have to get a series of other services performed on my car, which would total more than $143. I pointed this out, and said that this was ridiculous, and that I would not do this. In trying to further explain these services, he mentioned something about taking the tires off the car and keeping them to send back to the manufacturer. I reminded him that VIP kept the tires last Fall when I had the snow tires installed and they agreed to the $143 discount. He said, “Well, we don't have your old tires to return to the manufacturer, so you can't have the discount.” I said, ” That's your fault, not mine. You kept the tires last Fall, and you should have held onto them. When you gave me the discount, you knew that you would have to return them to the manufacturer to be reimbursed, but you got rid of them.” He said, “Sorry, you can't have the discount.” I was so angry, so infuriated, that I knew if I opened my mouth, I would say if not do something that I would regret later. I left immediately, without saying another word, confident that this would not be the end of the story.

Every time I have gone into a VIP in the past with one thing to have fixed on my car, I'm told about 15 other things that they have found which must be fixed immediately to avoid certain catastrophe. This has happened at the Mexico VIP, and at other locations as well. But this incident is the straw that has broken this camel's back. If anyone has a similar story where they feel they were scammed at VIP, I strongly encourage you to tell others. It is the only way that they can be forced to change their underhanded, deceitfulbusiness practices . I encourage everyone to avoid VIP Auto in Mexico because of the high probability that you could get scammed as well. Please tell your friends and family members.Business practices such as these do not deserve to be rewarded with more business.

I took my truck in on aug 12, 2009 for a tire and alignment i was charged 69.99 for the alighnment that was never done i have the pieces from another machanic that were suppose to be taken out at the time of service at vip i just dont want other people to take there vechiles to vip auto in derry, nh and get ripped off like i did its pretty sad that this company doesnt care who they rip off they put my life at danger and i will never shop there again and will tell others to do the same.

I called VIP in Londonderry early this morning to see if they had 5W40 synthetic motor oil that was acceptable to use in my 2007 Audi A4 Quatro. The person I talked with supposedly checked and told me that yes they did. I went in later in the morning only to find out that NO, they did not have the oil I needed. Two employees looked thru the oil and one said that I could use 5W40 for Diesel (mind you, my car is not a diesel...) I didn't trust this advise so called the dealer and they said NEVER to use a deisel oil. I wonder what would have happened had I gone there for an oil change? Would I have ended up with oil in my car that was not recommended for my car?

When I told them what Audi had said, the skinny guy with the earring didn't even seem to care.

No wonder there is hardly ever anyone in the store! Even with no one else there, it took a while to get anyone's attention to even help. Needless to say, I'll never return to VIP.

I recently went to VIP Auto with a quote from one of their competitors since VIP has a "Meet it or Beat it" price guarantee. VIP's guarantee is actually that they will beat any estimate by 5%. The only problem is GETTING them to honor this guarantee. They will find ANY excuse (legitimate or not) not to honor it. Initially it took OVER 20 mins to get someone to wait on me (4 people behind the counter) with no customers at the counter.

Finally I am waited on and this is where the story gets good. I question the person on their guarantee and they confirm that guarantee. I get a quote from them on 4 tires. I bring out my estimate from their competitor. Once they realized they couldnt (or didnt want to) meet or beat the competitor's quote they started trying different excuses for not honoring their guarantee. The first one was that GoodYear didnt make that tire (they were looking at a 2007 GoodYear catalog), the next one was that to be compareable it had to be a similar treadpattern and since they didnt know what the tread pattern was they couldn't do the guarantee and finally here is the kicker, according to VIP GoodYear didn't offer a 50, 000 mile treadwear warranty on that tire (yet my quote was 50, 000 mile treadwear warranty). The quote I showed VIP was for $389.58. The quote VIP gave me was for $405.05. NOT only did they NOT beat the price they didnt even meet the price.

Needless to say I WILL NEVER do business with VIP again. I will not do business with a company that promises so much and delivers so little.

I came in for a inspection, oh it’s not for free as the coupon indicated. Then they tell me I can't pass inspection because my oil stick is broken and a muffler hanger is missing and for only 120.00 I can pass inspection. Then come to find out they cut my ABS sensor to turn the ABS indicator light off... as told to me by Taylor. Great Service!

The place is clean, they do carry cheap tires. The problem is these guys work of commissions and you are nothing but money and they'll do what they need to in order to get it from you.