Wal-Mart Automotive Consumer Reviews - Page 6

LIMA, OHIO -- In March, I went to Wal-Mart Tire and Lube center in Lima, Ohio to have a flat tire replaced and an oil change. When I got the car back, the work order showed that the mechanic had stripped the threads on my oil pan. Also I watched as he installed the new tire. He used an air wrench in replacing the lug nuts. Besides the cost of the tire and oil change, they also charged a $9 road hazard insurance on the tire. The cost of the tire, road hazard insurance, and oil change was $95.

Ten days later, the tire blew out as I was entering the Wal-Mart in Greenville, Ohio. I drove around to the Tire and Lube center to have the tire replaced. The mechanic refused to replace the tire under warranty unless I bought 2 new tires because it was "company policy" that all tires on a car must have exactly the same size. I refused to buy 2 new tires (all 4 of my tires had been replaced in October 2005). I called AAA and had my car towed to Firestone in Greenville.

Firestone replaced the tire but it took them half an hour to get the lug nuts off. The threads on the lug bolts had been stripped. Firestone had to install new lug nuts and bolts. The cost for the new tire, lug bolts, nuts, and labor was $125. I mentioned to Firestone about the stripped oil pan threads. They said the threads could not be repaired, and the oil pan would have to be replaced. I contacted the dealer and had a new oil pan installed for $430.

I wrote to Wal-Mart in Bentonville, AR. I received a form letter thanking me for my complaint. They said they are striving to provide good service and if I just keep patronizing their Tire and Lube centers, their service is bound to improve. No mention of the $650 I was out for getting nothing. No mention about the road hazard insurance which would have paid for a new tire. No discussion about their company policy that all tires must be exactly the same size.

I won't patronize Wal-Mart's Tire and Lube centers anywhere in the U.S. and encourage everyone else to go anywhere else to get service. I have too much respect for my car and my wallet to continue patronizing them until they get better.

BROOKLYN, OHIO -- The staff at the Tire & Lube Express at the Wal-Mart lost my key bunch, did not let me know about it for a long time, made me wait for more than 3 hours and 15 minutes at the store as opposed to the promised 90 minutes wait, and then offered me a 'solution' that I should go home and forget about the bunch!

I entered the store at 9:35 am. After a short wait, my problem was registered and my key bunch was taken from me. I was told that my car would be ready in about 90 minutes. When 90 minutes passed and I did not hear from them, I went to the reception to inquire about it. I heard them talking among themselves about some car's keys being lost. When I talked to them, they told me that they were unable to locate my car keys.

I experienced the worst kind of customer service in the following 90 minutes. I was kept in the dark about whether the keys have been found or not, or how long I might have to wait. I was not offered any word of apology. I was getting a severe headache from the mental stress and for having an empty stomach for a long time. My knees were hurting because I had to stand there most of the time since not adequate seating has been provided in that area.

I was feeling dizzy from not having any food for a long time. So I asked them to give me a 'pager' so that I can go inside the store and have some food. Within one minute of my leaving the reception area, they paged me back to offer a ridiculous solution. They told me that I should go back home, bring the spare key, get the service done, and just go back. At most they would make a duplicate key for me for the car. They did not offer me any ride home. They would not make duplicates of the other four keys in the bunch. And they offered NOTHING more than that, NOT EVEN A WORD OF APOLOGY!

When they finally found the keys and got the service done, they offered me $10 in compensation!! My ordeal finally ended at 12:52. I had to wait 3 hours and 15 minutes as opposed to the 90 minutes originally promised, got home with a severe headache, and had to either reschedule or cancel my activities for the day. I have never before experienced such cheap and unprofessional customer service.

I went to the tire center at Wal-Mart store # 1006 for a standard oil change. When I walked to the counter the clerk was very busy with a conversation she was in with two coworkers and refused to acknowledge me until she finished. Then, as she was getting my info, she kept interrupting me to speak with them. Finally I handed over my keys and watched to see them pull my car up. After that, I walked around for about 15 minutes when I heard my name over the intercom. I thought, that was fast! No such luck.

The rude cashier proceeded to tell me that my oil couldn't be changed because a light was on or something. She actually said "or something" and attempted to give me back my keys. I told her that statement didn't make sense so she went and got the mechanic. He explained that there was a light on in my car saying "check engine oil." I told him yes there was, that's why I brought it in. He said the light indicated that I didn't have any oil in my car. He said the oil was so low there was none on the dipstick and that I probably had an oil leak. I told him that was very odd since I'd seen no e oden e of an oil leak and asked him why couldn't he help me.

According to mr mechanic there is some sort of liability issue since my car was in such a bad state. A nearby customer suggested the mechanic at least put some oil in for me so I could get to another garage. The mechanic ignored the customer and said I needed to take my vehicle elsewhere. The mechanic suggested a local oil change place so off I went.

Upon arriving at the new place I told the staff what Wal-Mart did and how they said my car was oil bankrupt. The owner didn't think much of this and said all I would've had to do was sign a release for them. Anyway a few minutes later the mechanic at the new place came in and said he just wanted to let me know that my car was full of oil - it just needed to be changed. No one there could figure out why the genius at Wal-Mart decided it was too empty to work on.

I can only suppose that the very terrifying little light in my car caused so much anxiety for the WM mechanic that he freaked out and lost all of his sensibilities. I guess he lied about checking the oil so he wouldn't look so lame - I'm not sure. Moral of the story, there are competent workers at Wal-Mart, but you have to look high and low to find them. The rude one and the liar have sealed the deal for me. No more mechanic work from Wal-Mart!!

DUNNELLON, FLORIDA -- Just had an extremely bad experience at an untimely time. Ordered 2 tires for vehicle as needed to make long road trip. Often, WMT does not carry sufficient stock for my tire size so I felt it would guarantee the tires would be there when promised. I printed out the pickup notice when tires were in. The first two times the tire dept. said they were 'too busy' for the install... come back. The third time I came was on a Sunday A.M. Easter, to be precise at 7:00(dept. opening).

The Minute I handed the printout to the associate, the dept. manager curtly states "YOU HAVE TO GO TO SITE-2-STORE." Instruction no. 2 on The pickup printout, however clearly states "Take this printout along with a photo ID to express lube and tire and we will take of your order"... WRONG says the dept manager. "We don't do it that way. You MUST take this to site to store." Where are the tires I ask? "OH, WE have them back here, but you MUST go there first."

I reluctantly go to site to store where there IS NO ONE THERE. I press buttons on the console to summons an associate... NO one comes. I stop several associates on their way in to work heading towards the stockroom. NO one is interested in accommodating me, but one finally gets on the horn and 10 to 15 min. later a lady from the 'front' shows up... and says "Its going to be a few minutes." Sorry folks, that was the last straw because NOW my status from being delayed, puts me at the back of the line in the tire dept.

Meanwhile, I've attempted to cancel the order and have entered a formal dispute for the charge on the Walmart Discover Card. Yep, they had already charged my account $182 for something I didn't have. Although I formerly have been a long time WMT customer, this experience has caused me to abandon shopping there altogether, and if they don't affect my credit charge with a reversal, the card is gone too. CAVEAT EMPTOR> Don't USE this method of ordering, unless you want problems. It will bring you nothing but grief.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA -- After having our oil changed in the tire and lube department in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Penna. Wal-Mart I discovered one of the so called technicians had placed the oil fill cap on the motor in a way that I would ruin it when I took it off. The cap was literally forced on to the point it was ruined.

I showed one of the chucklehead Managers the situation a few days later. He stated "How you know it was this place." Hmmm. It must have been that ring of national oil cap people, wait! Maybe it was someone from the Ford Motor Co. trying to make us buy a Ford product... Anyway! They never made good on the complaint. I could see this getting tossed into the "€œHeck if were gonna do anything pile".€

The person tending the counter had no knowledge of car care; I wonder if she took the bus to work - she didn't look like someone that would operate a motor vehicle, at least I hope she don'€™t. After complaining about the counter person, we see her quite frequently. Does the tale prove itself? Those whom do less and screw up get ahead in life much more? I have seen many employees placed in situations such as this due to the insecurity of the bone head manager. Yes, that'€™s right; hire an idiot to make yourself look so fine!

I am not even going to get into the rest of the stores staffing. You just have to see this one for yourself. Sure they smile, they stop when you question them about something... but try and get a solid answer from them. It's like dealing with a bunch of tools! Yes tools! Where do they get some of these people?

If you would like to see something interesting check out the 35 year old, Mr. G. Q. in electronics. This clown is too much! We were in this department seeking a camera and the idiot was like a dog on heat! Every young girl that come near the counter he would drop what he'€™s doing and put on this act that would turn your stomach! I seen this act. We were there in this department for a half hour while the wife gone through every stupid music CD. I am assuming his act starts at 2-3 P.M. till 10-11 P.M. Better be hot or I could only hope you get service if there is another associate in the area.

MERCED, CALIFORNIA -- I am writing to inform you of the problem I have had with my vehicle following service at the Merced Walmart on 02/27/2009. I have a 2006 Toyota Tacoma V6 4.0 L automatic. Not long after this oil change, I began to experience a “lag” in my transmission. I took it to a local mechanic for the next oil change and asked him to also check my transmission. He informed me that my transmission was “sealed” and could only be worked on by the dealer. I was trying to save the money to take my truck to the dealer when, last week, the transmission totally stopped working.

When the dealer inspected my transmission, they discovered that it had been over-filled with too much fluid, and what was drained was a “mixture” of the required “WS ATF” and another unidentifiable fluid. They drained and refilled with the correct fluid, however my transmission still is not working. They told me they suspected that the transmission drain plug was opened in error and whoever did this overfilled it with the wrong fluid. The only choice is to replace the transmission. I have invoices from the last 3 oil changes done at this facility. The first 2 (dated 7/19/2008 and 11/21/2008) state that the transmission fluid check was “declined” and then a note stating it is a sealed transmission.

The most recent invoice states that the transmission fluid was “checked”. This is impossible as there is no dipstick, and the only way to get to the transmission is through the drain plug, losing the fluid in the process. In light of the fact that nobody else has worked on my vehicle and the documentation that shows this facility checked my transmission fluid, I can reasonably ascertain that the last mechanic to change my oil, also inadvertently drained my transmission fluid.

In addition, I feel that upon realizing the error, they attempted to “hide” the error by attempting to replace whatever fluid was lost with some other fluid. I need a new transmission, do not have the money to buy it and feel that WalMart owes me a new transmission. UPDATE: Walmart called and agreed to replace my transmission at their cost! I am impressed how quickly they responded after I posted my story everywhere I could find on the internet!

CLINTON, TENNESSEE -- We took our car a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer to Wal-mart for its regular oil change and vehicle checkup. During the checkup it came to our attention that the transmission dipstick had been broken off and they could not check the fluid in the transmission. They said they did not do it and that it most likely happened the oil change before which was also at a Wal-mart. At that time we ask Barry ** if it was okay to drive the vehicle and he said yes. One week later the transmission locked up and had to be towed to a transmission specialist who said the failure was due to lack of fluid in the transmission.

We feel that in fact the dipstick was broke off at the previous oil change by a Wal-mart employee and he simply got rid of that part of the dipstick and signed off on the transmission to relieve himself of blame not telling us the stick had been broken and unable to check the fluid. If he would have informed us of this issue it could have been solved without the $2900 cost for a transmission rebuild. We filed a claim with CMI (Claims Management Inc.) Phone # 888-213-7534.

We dealt with a Barb there who was rude talked down to us and even called the mechanic at the transmission shop a liar and that the transmission had to have a leakage issue and she would have to deny the claim. He explained to her that there were no leaks and it was a Wal-mart topping off issue. When CMI received the statements from the Wal-mart fluid checkers not mechanics (which barb at CMI called them). They had changed the statements made and told her that they never told us it was okay to drive the vehicle and did not recall placing blame on the previous Wal-mart oil change.

We went to our Attorney's office on 2-27-09 and are in the process of suing Wal-mart and CMI. Please take our advice and never let Wal-mart fluid checkers touch your vehicle as the internet shows that they have more complaints than praises. This will be taken to the next level and will make it a lifelong goal to expose Wal-mart Automotive. We would love to start a class action suit against Wal-mart and CMI.

If anyone reading this has had a problem with Wal-mart Automotive would like to join this class action please notify us at ** as we have a attorney that would love to do it. Consequences. Describe the economic or physical damage that resulted. Transmission cost $2900, 3 weeks without the vehicle, treated like a idiot and lied too.

WINDSOR HIEGHT'S, IOWA -- I bought 2 Goodyear Viva 2 tires at Walmart! One of the tires had several Dibits in sidewall, BOTH SIDES, and a year later one dibit BALLOONED outward ready to blow out! Walmart would NOT give me an Adjustment for the Defected tire! Refused! So I took Tire to a Goodyear Franchise Tire Shop and they "YES it's defected/Blem!" Goodyear Shop also said; "We DON'T Warranty Goodyear tires sold at Walmart! They are made special for Walmart and DON'T MEET STANDARDS!" Basically Walmart is selling JUNK TIRES! They just don't GET IT! Cooper Tires gets it NOW! They just got hit here in Iowa a $32 Million Judgment for Defected Tires!

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA -- I have always gotten my oil changed at Walmart when I lived in North Myrtle Beach at the Gator Plaza. However, I now live more south and have gone twice to get my oil changed at the Walmart on 501 and Seabord Street. The first attempt was unsuccessful because those who were working in the auto center acted as if they couldn't care less if they helped me or not. I ended up going to Sears that evening.

I decided today to go for a regular oil change during my lunch break. First, I was ignored AGAIN, and secondly, the girl that finally came to my car was so rude. She was short with me and had no real answer for any of my questions. She once again couldn't care less for my business. I left and my boyfriend came and got my car at work and went back up there a few hours later. I just received a call from him that we will NEVER go back and give them anymore chances. He sat and waited to be acknowledged for 20 minutes and when he finally went inside, they for the LAST time were very rude to him. I suggest to anyone NOT to EVER take your car to be serviced there.

People who have no customer skills should not be getting any business. I think that Walmart might need to keep a closer eye on that department and any employees for that matter. If they knew how people were being treated, they would fire them. Or at least I think that they should be fired. They should be somewhere that they do not have to talk to people. It is obvious that they do not care and that is horrible!!