Complaint Review: Sears Auto Center

Normally I am a pretty passive person, but sometimes I just can't sit by and let things go. Neither am I one of those people that use my gender as leverage but in this case, I know for a fact the reason I was taken was because I am a woman.

I took my car in for a routine oil change and tire rotation to Sears Auto Center in Erie where my fiance' always has his oil and tires done.

I went up to the clerk and told him what I needed done. Usually, the mechanics ask for some vehicle specs before writing up the paperwork. In this case, I was asked nothing. They didn't ask what engine was in my Jeep, if it was a 4 litre or 5.7, nothing.

I still gave the guy my keys and said we would be back in about an hour to an hour and a half.

Upon returning, an hour and a half later, my car was parked in the exact same spot that I had left it in. Usually, the cars are parked in front of the garage bays or facing the street, not put back EXACTLY where you originally had it.

I went inside with an uneasy feeling, but giving the benefit of the doubt, I picked up my keys, paid my bill of 40 dollars and went to my car.

As I got behind the wheel, I noticed that the sticker on the windshield was the same one I had when I brought the car in. I immediately went back inside and told the clerk that the sticker was not changed and asked if there was a problem.

The man said that sometimes the mechanics forget to put a new one on and he would get me one now. He proceeded to put the new sticker on my window with the new mileage requirement and then he was on his way.

After voiceing his suspicion, my fiance' suggested I check my oil when I got home. Upon checking my oil, I found it to be as black as night. New oil is supposed to be clear amberish, so you can see the dipstick through the oil. Mine was jet black and syrupy. They didn't change my oil! Nor had they rotated the tires.

They had my car for an hour and a half and I paid for work that was never done. I called the shop and informed them of the situation and the man on the phone said he had never heard of that happening before. He said to bring the car back and the work would be done.

I brought my car back, no one was apologetic and thought it was a little amusing. They didn't offer to refund my money or even give me any kind of coupon or little token of kindness to make up for trying to take my money and run.

In the end, I got my 40 dollar oil change, am still not sure if the tires were rotated because I didn't get a chance to make a mark to be able to double check and a sour taste in my mouth.

In the FIVE years that my fiance' has taken his car to be serviced there, NEVER has he found the job not done. The FIRST time I use their service, look what happened.

I know if I had been male, this would not have happened. Mechanics think think women don't know squat about cars but they had better think twice. You are talking to the daughter of a man who builds cars for a living, from the ground up in our garage at home and I know a thing or two about how they operate and what makes them up. You can be save in knowing that I change my own oil now and will not be frequenting that shop anytime in the near future!

Erin
Erie, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.