Complaint Review: Cole Muffler / Mavis Tire

I am looking for Justice! I went to an auto shop close to my home (Cole Muffler/ Mavis Tire in Hazleton PA) about 5 min drive away for an oil change on Feb. 20, 2012.

I waited for a few minutes then they told me my right control arm was bad and needs to change they, will give me a deal at $140 for the oil change and the control arm (labor and parts).

I noticed the staring was hard to turn. Brought it back about 2-3 times maybe more, they said I need a flush, gunk build up maybe?

So, we got on our journey to New York a wk. after. We hit about 60 maybe 65 mph and the car started swerving out of control, left to right my wife started screaming, I had to grab the staring wheel (I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED IN ALL MY LIFE FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY).

I went directly to the shop the following day to tell them that we almost DIED on the highway something is not right with the car they need to correct the control arm. The clerk told me the manger was not there and they are pack for the day, come back Monday.

Monday 5th march I went back one of the managers was there (DM). I explained to him I came in for an oil change and found out that my control arm was bad and told him what had happen on the road. We test drive the car and he said he feels nothing the car is running perfect the only thing is that it pulls the right a little. I explained to him this never happened before.

Anyway, I asked for the flush, while doing it I asked for struts for all four, alignment, balance and rotate. He said $950, I asked why he said 700 for the struts because they need the rear and front mount kits to go with them and the price includes labor and he will do the balance and rotation for free plus the discount $100 for flush and alignment I figure well it's good investment for the safety of the family and the life of the car and it seems like he knows what he is talking about.

The manager told me the job will take 6 hours. On Monday the 5th March, I left the car there about 9, 9:30 called around 1:30 Pedro said the back was done and they are waiting on parts for the front. Around 4.45pm I left the house went over there. Pedro said all the parts are installed and he tested the car and it runs perfect it just needs to get aligned. He said he saved my front mount kits but bad news he had to change sway bar links, bushings, stabilizers front and back plus some other stuff and he did me a favor and kept it under $900. I asked for an invoice the clerk said I have to wait till job
complete to total up everything.

I got the car and left, they car is still in a very bad shape handling is bad it sounds funny I have to force the car to drive. I brought it back, they did an alignment again, this time Mark had me sit next to the machine to watch, I saw the guy turned the wheels and stuff to make the screen green with a check mark then a few minutes 3-5 the machine stop working, I waited and waited for them to get it up, after the mechanic ask George how to get the info back up, Mark said start over and George checked and said the specs are there and are good.

I left and the car still acting funny sounds funny. I sent a letter to HQ about my full experience I had and the following day Pedro called and want to solve the issue. I went in and he flushed the car and showed me air pockets pulping up while he turns the staring and said that was it I told you. I asked can you check the alignment and balance again just to be sure. Pedro balance and said yes it was off, I also realize my tires was fully inflated, I did not realize how low they were before until now. So it dawned on me? I asked Pedro how you could test drive, balance & aligned and is perfect. He said
IDK just trying to help me out just comeback we are here to help. They did another alignment and told me the back was off and had to realign the entire car they did.

We went for a test drive left right testing driving. We hit 50-65 the entire car vibrates, he then said he found a flat dent on the rim and had to move it to the back passenger. The alignment feels better but turning is still an issue, it hooks into turns and doesnt return, the car now hums and makes all kind of sounds. I asked to check the brakes and told me they were good I had bought extra set few wks. Before, now the dash has ABS lights up, screeching coming from tires.

Now he said dealers charge $300 for a rim and junk yard charge about $80 for a set of 4 he could get the back one for $180 but it will not match might as well get all four. Now he I have to look into my staring rack pin because it looks like it is slowly leaking and will that is $250-$600.

I feel like my life was at risk and still is every time we drive the car. I spent $1040 so far, 2 flushings, 2 balances, 3 alignments, 1 oil change and 1 control arm plus all those parts and the car still needs to be fixed and they cannot pin point the exact issue.

I felt like I was discriminated against, robbed, cheated, violated and I felt like my life was at risk. I hope someone anyone would hear and understand my situation. This car was the main source of transportation for my family.

Update:

About Thursday 12th or Friday 13th, April, 2012. I spoke with Mr. Woosley from the Attorney Generals Office to follow up. Mr. Woosley confirmed that it was still just a few weeks and Cole Muffler has not replied as yet, but as soon as they do he will send a mail out. (So far they ignored the Attorney General which told me to basically go another route and sue since we they are not complying.

I spoke with Mr. Joel Altavilla around the 25th of April 2012 and he told me Mr. Pedro will handle everything. I got the chance to speak with Mr. Pedro and he wanted us to drive to Wilkes Barre which is like 30 40 minutes away. I told Mr. Pedro we did not feel safe driving that distance with the car in its current state. Mr. Pedro told me I should give him a chance to correct the mistakes and come in to the shop. I told him I will only come if he Mr. Pedro will be there to make sure everything is right. He tried to send a tow truck out but when I asked for paper work they told me the truck will just
come to pick it up and drop it off on his (Mr. Pedros account), But I did not feel safe.

I noticed the rotators where bad which is weird so I dipped again in our savings and tax return money and purchased new rotors. Looking at the brakes they looked like something from the junk yard all rusted all over so I changed them with the ones I had before now the screeching noise went away. I used an Allen key to open two screws that fit the Allen key to open a plastic cover over the front spark plugs. There are two sensor type plugs one was unplugged and the clip to close it broken. Not sure if the clip was broken that close it before but when I plug that thing back in the car and it ran way much better except for starting up it still hums loud.

I went to the Cole Muffler on my own and saw Pedro who told me Mark was fired and a new Manager will handle everything for me and make things right, I think is name is Rob.

I met with rob around the middle of May, 2012. I told the new Manager what I found and what I did but he told me that I did it and they never touch my engine. I left it alone since that was one less thing to worry about. I told Rob that the struts was not done right they make a lot of noise mostly from the front passenger. I told him the engine makes high noise when I when the car just turned on, ABS Trac sensor off flashes and I cant turn it back on, the handling is messed up as well. He Rob I think (the new manager) told me lets focus on the most noise and work our way down which is the right side. Rumbling noise and all sort of noises come from all four struts but mostly the right side. I was under the impression that Mr. Pedro and Cole Muffler/ Mavis Tire was willing to solve this once and for all and not having me coming back and forth for something that was never an issue before for months now.

Every time we agree on a time and date either Mr. Rob the new manager is not there, its his day off, or they are packed. In June around the middle of the month Rob had a mechanic test the car; this was when I popped up. Rob (I think) the new manager said the front strut mount kits are bad that is why I hear the noise in front. Rob the new manager said they would run me about $59for one totaling $112 and he will waive the labor charge. So went back and saw Pedro who told me found that they fired the new manager but told me the parts was there and George is the new managers now so lets see how he handles things.

This was now July 16th, 2012 George and a Mechanic did the mount kits while Pedro was there, they also aligned the car as well, but again the machine was not doing it right. Mr. Pedro said its the leather seat sometimes that happens trying to keep it straight for alignment. I asked to test the car when they were finish before paying another $112 Mr. Pedro said Ok.

I drove off the lot and the alignment was a big safety issue again. I called Mr. Pedro and told him the problem still remains and I am now taking it to a second shop for a second opinion for alignment. After trying hard for me to tell him (Mr. Pedro) which shop I am going to, he finally said ok go ahead and he will waive the front mount kit fees for getting the alignment done elsewhere. At this point I am frustrated because the car is still in a messed up condition and I was under the impression that they were doing things right.

I went to Lehigh Tire and ask for an oil change and the alignment. Jim at Lehigh tire told me about 1 & to 2 hours for the job.While waiting before the job to get started little small talk led to where I am coming from which is Cole Muffler/ Mavis Tire. We went for a drive after the job was done and the mechanic did the alignment again but this time with the
wheels rotated. He told me I need to take it back to Cole because they did what they was supposed to but the struts are bad and they need to be done right first. I have never had to do an alignment before till now with Cole Muffler and for the first time I got a print out from Lehigh tire. This printout said the Lehigh mechanic showed that the car was never aligned, it show what the spec was, supposed to be and what they are now. They gave me refund for the alignment and told me to take it back to Cole Muffler.

I call Mr. Pedro and told him I got the printout for the alignment something I always asked for from Cole Muffler and never got, it showed that the car was never done and the mechanics said the struts was not done right. Mr. Pedro said he will do them over but kept on insisting which shop I went to. For some reason I felt like they know each other, both shops.

Pedro said to come in for the struts in 2 days. I went back for my refund the following day July 17th and pass by Cole Muffler. I saw George who said they ordered they Struts already and ready for tomorrow. He showed me the struts and to my surprise the struts was in one complete package. I mean the springs, the mounts kits, the struts, and the whole package in one for all four. I asked George how could this be because Mr Pedro told me from the get go that the struts only come in pieces for the car because it is a luxury car. That mean I have to buy all those things separate. He told me
George) this is a quick struts and he had a really hard time getting them for this car.

Then I know for a fact that I was cheated and me and my familys life was purposely and deliberately put a risk and in harms way. Very disappointed I went back on the 18th 8 am like they told me to, but George told me I had to wait till the head mechanic comes in. Around minutes after 9 am the Head mechanic comes in and the works starts. I decide to stick
around and watch this time since everyone else was watching their car getting fixed.

While watching the back I peeped in and noticed how the nuts for the back struts was beaten up, it took the head mechanic a hard time to take it off, if I am not mistaken he was the one who help to put them on. The head mechanic took the car to the alignment machine and I watched from outside the back because I was not allowed inside but others was welcome to even come a chat while my car was getting done. The Head mechanic told me the machine is
giving problem and he had to do things old school/ manual. He looked at the wheels and said oh this is the problem the machine could not see and he got it. By this time I asked for his name because there and then I was taken for a fool
again. The Head mechanic told me his name was Mr. Nobody. I asked for a print out and Mr. Nobody said the machine never works.

Mr Nobody took the car to the front and said to speak with George. I went to speak with George who was more than happy to announce this is my last day here anything else I have to pay. I ask for a printout out and George said they are out of ink, I ask when will they get a new supply, he said the following week. I asked if I can get a copy of the printout then he said yes. He showed me on the computer what they did and what it charge and they waived all charges. George told me I had to sign the invoice to get the car I did and left.

Driving back the car rumbles all four side, the steering wheel is crooked and you can feel how loose the staring is, hard to maintain control especially going 55 and above. I went home and decide to continue to file complaints. Reading the invoice I noticed between the price and parts there are comments which I never made. They lied on the invoice #132763. All comments are lies.

I went back to Cole Muffler that day to speak with George to let him know the struts are not done, its not aligned etc. and ask why did they made such a comment and who said that. George told me Pedro said that and I can throw that invoice in the garbage. I told him its a lie and I want to speak with the manager. George screamed on top of his voice and said he is the manager now showing me his badge. I ask to speak with Pedro and George told me our business here is done, there nothing I can do and told me to get out or he will catch and kick my skinny a*s, under his breath. I told him then I will catch you out side. He asked if I am threatening him and ran to call the police on me.

For my own protection since I know not where any of the mechanics live but they have my full information, I called the police to file a complaint. The officer advises me to not go back when George is there since George filed a complaint as well and I should contact the attorney general.

Current condition:

Struts are not done right all four makes noise over and louder noise over even the littlest bumps.

Starting the car for the day makes loud noise then goes away after car stays on for a long time.

Abs this lights up which never did. I Google Abs Trac sensor off and found that this is for traction in bad weather. Hazleton PA is sometimes known for getting plowed with snow.

I can turn the steering wheel about 3 inches with no play at all.

After all that I have been through and experienced with Cole Muffler/ Mavis tire I can only say that I have been targeted, cheated, I felt, honestly that me and my family life was and is at risk. We have been setup to keep coming back, spending money until we crash the car. Everything that was
done was intentional and deliberate that could have cost us our lives.

Please I am asking for help for the safety of my family.

P.S. I also noticed that dates on the invoices and the actual dates of service are incorrect.