Walmart Stores Inc. ripoff Lube oil service, lube not done, engine destroyed stripped drain plug/3 1/2 qt oil loss Lumberton New Jersey
On 20 Nov, 03, I paid for an oil and lube service. Lube was not done,
The oil change resulted in a stripped front oil pan drain plug, causing the loss of 3 1/2 qts of oil, This caused the engine to develope an engine knock.
Myself and a witness traced the 1.7 mile oil trail right back to the Walmart auto bay. They were already closed.
I showed the auto service manager the oil trail. I was able to tighten the oil drain plug to snug, which allowed me to drive it after being told by Walmart Claims agent that damage was already done.
I was able to drive my car approximately 350 more miles, until the walmart auto service manager and an auto employee, did a mandatory pre claims inspection, They completely stripped the drain plug and wrote a false report.
I had e-mailed the walmart district manager the same evening, filed a claim a few days later after given the run around, and calls never returned only to be told my claim was denied due to the fact that I tampered with the evidence, tightened oil plug and added the oil, so I could get home and to work.
The end result is that on 26 Nov, 03, after the claims inspection, my car could not be driven, and became junk due to Walmart.
I was forced to be without a car, which I desperately needed to get back and forth to work. I only wished to have the car repaired. I was without a car for over a month. I was forced to purchase another car on my credit card, forced into debt. My holidays were ruined, I was going to purchase a much needed home heater before this problem, but cannot now.
I purchased the near perfect 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, in april 2002 for $3,500.00 It now has 98,514 miles on it. unregistered and uninsured. I will be forced to send it to the junk yard soon but was hoping Walmart would repair what they caused.
I have written, called and emailed, customer service, news agency's, Better Bussiness Bureau, and the attorney Generals Office, with no response.
I researched many of the auto complaints against Walmart on the internet and it appears that cars are ruined alot by Walmart and no one is ever accountable.
I feel like I have been robbed, feel like I watched them rob me and there is nothing I can do. It cost me over $3,500.00 plus the credit card purchase of another car, for an expensive oil change.
I have found others in the area that have had simular problems, Most people could be paying for the lube and not receive it, Not many people will go under the car to check to see if the lube was done.
I thank you for this opportunity to express my total frustration and only hope that this keeps others from going through this experience.
Thank You
Richard
Browns Mills, New Jersey
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Objective1
Tucso,Arizona,
U.S.A.
why walmart??
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, January 17, 2009
i used to work at the walmart your talking about it is notorious for screwing up cars anything from crashing them into the fence upon entry to the building, to reusing the oil filters. on busy days dump the oil and get the car out nobody ever checked the filters anyway so why bother right.? they charged for synthetic oil changes and used regular oil again unless you get it analyzed you wouldnt know the difference. NOW all the same some of the customers werent to bright either bringing in cars with motor flush thats been circulating for a week. asking or more or less demanding we make repairs we know we are NOT equipped and NOT qualified for and NOT accepting NO for an answer then demanding to the store manger he TERMINATE us immediately for refusing to fix their cars was common too.. u see where im going here??? i lived in your town for 20+ years and having a 350 V8 chevy hanging from a tree and putting a sign out front saying "joe's" engine engineering is not my idea of a major dealership.. i always say want something done do it yourself saves money and if you mess it up you dont have to point the finger.. as for walmart and cars well would YOU take a $500,000 ferrari "enzo" to walmart knowing it is your only vehicle for service ?? NOT ME
Mike
Williamsport,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
How many return? Shop elsewhere!
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, August 07, 2004
I noticed all of hte complaints about Wal-Mart in here. There are 246 of them and I am sure its growing. I used to shop at Wal-mart until they fired a friend of mine with a disability. He tried to get a lawyer but from where we are from the lawyers dont want to go-up against a large company like Wal-Mart.
But if you really think about it, I also noticed that alot of you people say you will no longer shop at Wal-Mart. But how many still do? To get odds and ends, a quick present for the childs friends birthday party, unexpected things?
If all of you that say you will never shop agian at this establishment, then this company will have no chioce but to downsize or make the changes needed to provide a decent, respectipal, proffessional and ethical place of buisness.
I myself no longer shop at Wal-Mart. I shop at thier competitors. You know the the one with the "Blue Light Special". I rather pay a little more than to surport the way Wal-Mart treats people.
Now if we all stick to our "GUNS" like you say you will then you can and only then, can you make a difference. Dont just say you wont to belike everyone else. STICK TO YOUR OPINIONS AND ACT.
Thank you for your time