Automotive Discussion Board

Sears Auto Center

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:09:06 GMT

worldweary2 said…

Here again, we have a bit more proof that it isn't necessarily a Sears problem, most times, it's a people problem.

Hiring someone, and knowing someone on a personal level, are two different things...

So true. This is an honest to God, true story!!!

When I was employed by Sears, I was a Tech III service technician. At times I did sales when we were busy or short handed. I had a customer come in who had just purchased a used car from a dealership. He was inquiring about 4 new tires. I walked out to the vehicle to inspect the tires currently on the vehicle. All 4 tires were COMPLETELY BALD!!!!! I had informed the customer that in the state of Illinois, it was illegal for a dealership to sell a vehicle in an "unsafe condition!" I recommended he go back to the dealer and have them install new tires for free.

Customer comes back 3 hours later with a huge lunch for me and offered me a $50 tip for saving him several hundred dollars!!! I had to refuse the tip, but accepted the lunch =) I had earned a wonderful repeat customer that day, and I didn't even sell him anything!!!!

With so much money to be made in this business, its a shame people have to try and rip customers off with dishonest work. In the automotive repair business, word of mouth is the best advertising you could ever ask for!!! I am very grateful and thankful for all the repeat customers I had ever earned.

Sears Driving Schools

SearsPro — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:37:16 GMT

I like to get right behidn the truck liek 1 foot and drift and still their thunder. Then honk a bunch so they know I am there.

Sears Auto Center

broncoscoach — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:29:02 GMT

I was stupid and let the sales manager talk me out of the tires I wanted and I got stuck with Dunlops which are the worst tires I've ever had

Illinois Roads

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:28:03 GMT

gridlock48 said…

Frost heave, hole, patch alittle, hole again a never ending merry go round

Ever notice the state highway dept orange trucks, four of them loaded to the gills with workers to fix a few potholes, look around next time your on state highways and off ramps. , A nice state job if you can get it, but yah got to know somebody, its not what you know in this state, its "who" you know.

Gee , Wisconsin & Michigan neighboring states has same weather we have in IL and they have decent highways to travel on, why? answer above.....

To clarify a few things, Illinois Tollway Authority is a completely separate entity from the Illinois Department of Transportation. As far as the money you pay not going towards road repairs on the tollway........ When was the last time you were in Illinois?????? Almost every major tollway in Illinois is in the process or has been completely reconstructed!

In the winter season, IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) hires what they call "snowbirds". These snowbirds only work from November to March. Most of them have seasonal jobs during the summer and work for IDOT in the winter. This is why you will see several "orange trucks" loaded to the gills with personnel.

As everyone knows, the State of Illinois has a huge budget deficit. Severe cutbacks have been made and one of the worse hit has been Illinois roadways. Blame corruption, blame poor governing, put the blame anywhere you choose. Yes, we have poorly maintained highways. It is not the fault of IDOT workers. If there is no money in the budget to fix things, it will not get fixed. IDOT workers have to drive the same roadways as everyone else.

Wisconsin and Michigan do have the same weather as Illinois. They DO NOT have the same volume of traffic as Illinois. Think about it. Anyone east of the Mississippi River has to drive thru Illinois to get to Wisconsin. Anyone west of the Mississippi River has to drive thru Illinois to get to Michigan!

As far as a state job being a "nice" job. Not exactly. I am a current Illinois Department of Transportation "snowbird"! It's not a fun feeling wondering if I'm going to have a full time temporary job every winter if it's not in the state budget to hire temporary help! As far as "having to know someone to get hired", I didn't know anyone, just applied.

Please remember, we can only plow Illinois roadways as fast and safe as the traffic in front of us will allow!!!!!!

Die Hard Gold Battery

worldweary2 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:33:59 GMT

It probably would have, but, I was "playing in the snow", like a good redneck one night, and just clipped a telephone pole, which was about two feet off the edge of the shoulder, maybe less.

It was actually the edge of the tire that caught it, and there was no body damage whatsoever, BUT, it bent the front rear end, and I decided that a front rear, and a new motor was too much to put into it.

My fault for the tires sticking out past the fenders...

***sniff, sniff****

Sears Driving Schools

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:29:41 GMT

AdamO said…

Yaa...

But, if they cut you off, you can RUN'M OVER!

How cool is THAT!

Wish it were that "cool"!

In actuality, any vehicle which requires a CDL to operate, comes under much scrutiny when involved in an accident.

The driver of such vehicle is drug and alcohol tested. His/her medical history is examined (depending on the state and seriousness of accident) The vehicle he/she is driving is put thru DOT inspection. This is all done even if the accident was not his/her fault.

Please don't cut off trucks or drive in a trucks blind spots!!!! It is very difficult to maneuver and stop a truck to avoid an accident!!!

oil changes at sears

SearsPro — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:16:27 GMT

Sears should have little cameras installed so that we can watch everything the tech is doing from home.

Sears Auto Center

worldweary2 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:13:34 GMT

Here again, we have a bit more proof that it isn't necessarily a Sears problem, most times, it's a people problem.

Hiring someone, and knowing someone on a personal level, are two different things...

Sears Auto Center

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:06:17 GMT

By law, a customer is not required to pay for any repairs that are unauthorized. Glad you didn't back down and that the manager took care of your situation!!!!

oil changes at sears

worldweary2 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:56:05 GMT

Fact remains, you continued to operate the vehicle AFTER you noted that there was an oil pressure issue.

The proper thing to do would have been to shut it down, preventing further damage, and have it towed to either the dealer, or Sears, to have it looked at.

Once you operated the the vehicle for an extended period, with a mechanical defect, YOU became responsible for the compounded damage.

Your negligence led to the permanent damage, not any of the mechanics, or techs who worked on your vehicle.

NO mechanical device should be operated without proper lubrication.

End of line.

Die Hard Gold Battery

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:48:09 GMT

jasntexhoma said…

I have moved 3 times in past 5 years...had heart surgery....two spinal operations.. almost died twice in hospital....am totally disabled via social security.....AND been a loyal customer of Sears for half a decade.....but damn it,they're computer doesn't show my name or that the battery I had setting in front of them really existed... so I guess customer relations doesn't really matter much anymore....so when the tech asked if I wanted a new battery installed, I had to say "no thanks...But I think I'll buy at wal-mart where they stand behind their warranties...............

Ok, some people are going to hate me for saying this!!!!!! Generally when people add a sob story to their complaints, odds are the complaint is false or they embellish their story with personal problems to make the complaint sound more dramatic!! I'm sorry, if my health was that bad, I wouln't even be driving!!!!

Sears Auto Centers computers can bring up your prior service records without a phone number (at least they did when I worked there). If you settled for the salesmans decision without speaking with a manager, I would have to say, shame on you! If you claim to be a loyal customer of 57 years, one would think you would have the common sense to keep a receipt of your purchases that carry limited time frame waranties. I'm sorry for being so cold hearted in this post but, I speak whats on my mind. I find it very hard to believe this guy would give up 57 years of loyalty without speaking with a manager!!!!

sears auto alignment

SearsPro — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:38:42 GMT

SAGE

Recent Oil Change at Tuttle Crossing Sears, Dublin, Oh

SearsPro — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:11:51 GMT

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.

Horrible Customer Service

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:57:46 GMT

cues4pool said…

WOW typical Sears way of doing things. I worked for Sear for 3 years as a Home Improvment Lead and saw this attitude all the time but now to see it by the Senior case Manager? Clearly 3 associates has this persons contact information, just chose not to use it. And now the Senior Case Manager is leaving it up to a customer who gave up on Sears to contact HIM? As I said...WOW

Several things.

First. Sounds to me you were one of these employee's with the "Who Cares" attitude.

Second. If you were a "Lead", sounds as if it was your responsibility to correct employee's attitudes or "Lead" them in the right direction!!!!

Third. The Senior Case Manager doesn't have a crystal ball that can tell him this particular customers name, address, and phone number. There is no mention of the customers personal info in his post. How else is he to get in contact with him??????

Someone was willing to reach out to this disappointed customer. It is now up to the customer to respond if he wants something to be resolved. If it were me, I wouldn't mind at all to contact Brian and see if there was a way to make up for a bad experience!!!

oil changes at sears

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:44:21 GMT

Sounds like a disgruntled employee to me. Reviewed jfsich's post history, one has been deleted. If you took your vehicle to the dealer and they claimed the damage was not related to the repairs done, what more do you want???? Sounds like your just looking to get a free motor out of the deal!!! Many of times I have performed service to customers vehicles and have gotten the comment, "EVER SINCE YOU WORKED ON MY CAR!!!" There are people out there that will do just about anything to get something for free. If you claimed you worked at a few Sears Auto Centers (can't verify that, one of his posts has been deleted), I would tell you to pound sand as well. This guy sounds like a scam artist to me!!!

Air Freshener

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:21:48 GMT

A traditional Chicago stuffed pizza!!!!!!!!

Recent Oil Change at Tuttle Crossing Sears, Dublin, Oh

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:20:18 GMT

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.

sears auto alignment

ExTech — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:47:15 GMT

worldweary2 is correct about worn suspension parts. As a rule of thumb, if your vehicle has worn or defective suspension parts (such as your tie rods, ball joints, pitman arm, idler arm, etc.) an alignment is completely USELESS!!!!!! Bad suspension parts will throw off your alignment, wether the alignment machine says its correct or not!!!! Your bad parts need to be replaced before an alignment is performed!!!

What kind of car do you own?

houdiniphile — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:32:33 GMT

Hi Babygirl TX. I love shopping at Cleveland when I am in town. WE always stop at Popeyes and Burke's outlet. and dhave to pay big luggage charges on the flight home.I used to live in Livingston and Houston, before I came to Charlotte. How is it in your neck of the woods??

What kind of car do you own?

HI-Manager — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:43:01 GMT

I have a 2000 VW Jetta GLS loaded. I have 149,000 miles and love it. I know it's time for a new vehicle but I love the look and the interior of my vehicle. Anybody recommend anything comprable in a newer car?