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LockedRecent Oil Change at Tuttle Crossing Sears, Dublin, Oh

posted on November 08, 2009 at 07:27PM Inappropriate?

Ok, I'm new at this so I may give out too much information, however I beleive that it will be important.

On, 10/31/09 I took my 1999 Olds Alero in for an oil change. I am using the Maxlife oil as my car has over 100k on it. The young man helping me took my car to the back to have the tech start the work on it, when he returned he told me that my coolant tested at  degrees, which is fail. I said that is odd, you guys did my coolant exchange back in April 24, 2009. I was unaware that you needed to do 2 coolant exchanges in one year. He didn't have a response. I think he was new because I have been going to the same automotive center for 5 years and have not seen him before. Keep in mind I am paying for the maxlife.

So I go to the waiting area to, well, wait. I get up to pick up a magazine and looked out the window and noticed the tech using a Mobil One container to fill my crackcase with oil. I went to inform the young man that took my car what was going on and he assured me that it was maxlife and that the tech uses the Mobil One container to get maxlife from a "bulk" container. By this time I didn't beleive him because I was still fuming about my coolant.

At any rate, I will be doing my own oil changes from now on. Which is sad because I trusted them. Had no issues until now.

replies: 8 latest post: December 13, 2009 at 04:12AM by ACManager2009
Displaying all 8 posts
posted on November 08, 2009 at 07:40PM
 

Hi tlee0122-Welcome to MySears!  Sounds like you are such a loyal customer of your local Sears Auto and have been going there for years.  Maybe give them another try, but, ask for the manager when you get there to let he/she know what occurred on your last visit.  I am sure they will be very accomodating and make sure you receive the correct oil in your car. 

posted on November 20, 2009 at 11:50AM
 

Hmmm. Who says you need 2 coolant changes in 1 year? What does the owner's manual say? Sounds like Bravo Sierra to me. See if the shop manager has 2 little beady eyes - he sounds like a genuine weasel.

The Mobil 1 is probably as good if not better than that Maxlife stuff, whatever that is.

posted on November 22, 2009 at 10:20AM
 

Sears Auto Center computers will show your vehicles history of all repairs and/or purchases. Truely sounds like the salesman was new and trying to rip you off. As far as the technician? Two cenarios. One, he was also trying to rip you off. Two, he did test your coolant and found it to be below spec. Which means the prior coolant exchange was never done, or was done improperly!!! As I tell all consumers, you have the right to be shown all bad parts/test results in person. ASK QUESTIONS!!!! Any good repair facility will be more than willing to show you what is wrong with your vehicle. A good technician will explain to you how a particular part functions and what would/could/will happen when that part fails. When a doctor tells you there is something wrong with you, what do you do? You ask questions or seek a second opinion. Your car should be treated in the same manner.

posted on November 22, 2009 at 11:11AM
 

I think the reason he come to sears, and pays a little more is because sears knows what they are doing and shouldn't need the same attention he gave to the local repair shop when he had his first car.

He is a successful business man now and doesn't have time to look over the mechanics shoulders, he just wants his oil change done right w/o a bunch of other hubabaloo.

Maybe hes wrong for expecting that at any car repair facility due to the nature of the business, or maybe sears is wrong for giving him that expectation. What his entire point is, he is very frustrated with the lack of competence and wants to vent and to let "Sears" know why they lost his business.

posted on November 23, 2009 at 08:12AM
 

Thanks for all the input and advice regarding my recent trip to the Sears Automotive center for the oil change. I have decided to to my own work on my vehicles from now on, aside from all the major stuff. I will be taking my vehicles to someone else for the major stuff. Thanks again.

posted on November 24, 2009 at 08:44PM
 

I know from applying at sears a long time ago that they don't want to pay the service tech but minimum wage and then pay only cents commission per job and want to split the job between 2 techs on top of that. I personally feel that they will try to sell unneeded services or products just because of this. Remember when Sears got in trouble for selling products or services that were in fine shape?

posted on December 13, 2009 at 04:07AM
 

Check with some auto dealerships... I do believe there are a few that say "replace your coolant every six months" or "replace your coolant once per year." Do what OEM standard and manufacturer's recommend, I do! If your coolant failed, your coolant failed! Ask to see the result as I know for a fact that before a technician can suggest/require anything there must be a communication between a technician and the Customer Experience Manager (on-duty), by law! Ask questions, it is your vehicle. Also, ask what the MAP (motorist assurance program) says! Sears pays to be a part of that great program! We go by MAP and the CEM process at my store.

posted on December 13, 2009 at 04:12AM
 
In response to tech1976's post from November 24 2009 08:44PM
tech1976 said…

I know from applying at sears a long time ago that they don't want to pay the service tech but minimum wage and then pay only cents commission per job and want to split the job between 2 techs on top of that. I personally feel that they will try to sell unneeded services or products just because of this. Remember when Sears got in trouble for selling products or services that were in fine shape?

I just feel the need to comment on this...Paying the technician minimum wage is a true statement... almost. The technician's base pay goes up as thier skill level (Tech I, Tech II, Tech III and Tech IV) goes up. Their commision rates are not pennies per say... it is a pretty fair percentage for the labor they perform, and I know for a fact that for just one oil change performed the technician is paid $3.50. regardless of what oil they use. My techs get nice paychecks because they work hard, thier speed and expertise is on the ball, and they provide my customers with quality work and honest suggestions that keep the customer on the road and thier families safe!

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