I have done Jiffy Lube shops and not had a problem. I enjoy how quickly they can do the service.
The brake inspection shop was not at Midas, I have only seen oil change shops at Midas. I think they are the ones that will reimburse for full synthetic so I am thinking about trying one next time I am due.
I actually really enjoyed the service I received during my brake inspection, they are the ones who discovered my locked lug nut issue and made note of several other oddities I didn't notice. The brake inspection was at Car-X.
I did one shop at a Firestone Auto Center. I got an oil change and they were awesome. This location was spot on corporate. Their uniforms were all pressed and the shop was so clean, it was like I had walked into a service center from the fifties.
So needing an additional service, I picked up another shop at a different Firestone location. This is where they locked my lug nut and rotated the tires diagonally which reversed my tread patterns. They also rummaged through my whole car leaving stuff on the floor looking for my lug nut key. I would return to the first 50's Firestone location in a heartbeat.
Everyone has different reasons for mystery shopping. I do the auto service shops because I need the service and it is nice to get a significant discount on the service or get it totally reimbursed. I also shop because I enjoy helping out other consumers. Other ladies that take their car to this shop may have a better experience after my report. Perhaps my problem will get reported to corporate. Perhaps my crappy experience will help some other unknown woman have a hassle free experience when she takes her car for service.
Car service locations and technology stores are places that women have been traditionally taken advantage of. Many times (not all) they use a woman's lack of knowledge to take advantage of them and sell them things they don't need.
I was lucky to have my Dad teach me how to work on cars. I am lucky to be an engineer in my full time job and be tech savvy so I can take care of myself in that department as well. But I do have a full time career besides mystery shopping. I also have a family and enjoy my free time immensely. I didn't take my car to a muffler shop to have the tires rotated. I am not a clueless bimbo who has never gotten grease under her nails or changed her own tire in the snow. A problem like this shouldn't have happened, but anyone with any wisdom of the world knows that this sh*t happens, even at a ritzy car dealer where one could get their roadster serviced.
And the MS company did get back with me this morning. They told me to proceed as I would if there was not a shop involved.