Complaint Review: NATIONALTIRE & BATTERY - TIRE KINGDOM - PALM GARDEN BEACH Florida

My car has been serviced by our local National Tire & Battery (NTB)store since June 2008. We had put approx $1200 into the car at NTB from June 2008-July 2008 to get everything fixed on it prior to taking it on vacation. On July 22 I noticed my engine light was on so I took it back in. I also mentioned that I had noticed that the level was a little low on the (no noticeable dripping). They decided it was a sensor and they replaced it. On our receipt dated 7/22/08 there was no mention of any other notations nor did the mechanic mention anything else about the car. While on vacation the engine light came back on and so as soon as I got home I took it back to NTB (10/08). They found nothing wrong with the sensor or anything else having to do with the engine and simply told us that it was a fine running car and just not to take it on any long trips due to its high mileage (wriiten on their receipt). Then on 12/3/08 my car started to smoke while driving it. I had a friend who is a backyard mechanic come over to my house to have a look at what was going on. He immediately notice 3 things that indicated a head gasket issue. He also thought that the engine may have been compromised. When we contacted our local NTB it was noticed by the manager that their receipt on file was completely different than ours. There was a mention of a possible leak in the head gasket OR water pump on THEIRS but NOT on OURS. However, keep in mind that they also missed the diagnosis "heads-up" the second chance in October. The manager AGREED to pay half the cost of a head gasket repair due to their negligence 9accepting at least part of the blame)We had it towed at OUR expense (and everytime thereafter) to NTB wherein they told it wasn't the head gasket but the water pump and had us DRIVE it over to Firestone where we had gotten that work done 2/08 and it was still warrantied. Firestone assured us after inspection that it WAS INDEED the head gasket so we had it towed back to NTB where they began the work of fixing it only to find out that our engine was ruined. They now think that by offering us to do the installation work while WE pay $2000 for the engine that they are being fair. There was NOTHING wrong with the internal workings of my engine in July nor in October. They missed the responsibilty for telling us the true issue with the engine in July, October and in December. We've not only talked to the local people til we're blue in the face but SEVERAL top people at Tire Kingdom in Florida. We've filed with the BBB only to get back their rebuttal with 3 direct LIES in it about what went on (and we have proof of that). they do not care because they know we are little and they are big. We are interested in a class action law suit because we're sure others have had this issue. Please also notice that in our naivetee we took another car in that we were borrowing while this work on our car was being "done". We asked for a oil change which they did plus two new tires. One month later our mechanic friend was over and he noticed the oild pan was dripping. NTB had changed the oil but NEGLECTED to mention that the oil pan was rusted and FULL of holes. They don't see a problem with this either.....

John Everard

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio

U.S.A.