Walmart latest Auto repair rip-off servicer?

Commander Quan · 12-09-2010, 05:43 PM

It's not just Walmart it's everywhere. Before I met my wife she would go in for an oil change (which she did every 3000 miles religiously) and leave there spending at least $100 in upsales.

BigFrank · 12-09-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

It's not just Walmart it's everywhere. Before I met my wife she would go in for an oil change (which she did every 3000 miles religiously) and leave there spending at least $100 in upsales.

Totally agreed. Dealerships for me have been the worst. I take my car to a local spot that has a bunch of young guys in my age range who are the mechanics. When I go in they give it to me straight and simple. When my wife goes in ( low cut shirt on of course ) she always gets employee discounts, and freebies. So, needless to say she takes both of our cars in.

captain53 · 12-09-2010, 06:29 PM

Yes Sir you are absolutely correct except you did not mention the biggest oil change scam - "your transmission fluid needs changing............" and then you drive out with a $200+ oil change and a transmission likely to fail pre-maturely. Pisses me off to no end when they do that crap and actually I started using Walmart for oil changes at one time because they do not do transmission fluid so I did not have to cuss them out everytime like the oil change shops. But Walmart got otherwise too difficult to deal with so now found a new place and told them to put in the computer under my account - this guy is an ass and don't mention transmission fluid or other upsells to him- guy said they would note it and have not yet had a problem. All Crooks - and yes the dealers too!

Sled Dog · 12-10-2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain53

Yes Sir you are absolutely correct except you did not mention the biggest oil change scam - "your transmission fluid needs changing............" and then you drive out with a $200+ oil change and a transmission likely to fail pre-maturely. Pisses me off to no end when they do that crap and actually I started using Walmart for oil changes at one time because they do not do transmission fluid so I did not have to cuss them out everytime like the oil change shops. But Walmart got otherwise too difficult to deal with so now found a new place and told them to put in the computer under my account - this guy is an ass and don't mention transmission fluid or other upsells to him- guy said they would note it and have not yet had a problem. All Crooks - and yes the dealers too!

I went in for an oil change once, they tried to hit me up for a tranny fluid change, I said, you do realize my car is a stick right...... He just looked at me and said sorry for the mix up

GolfNut · 12-10-2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sled Dog

I went in for an oil change once, they tried to hit me up for a tranny fluid change, I said, you do realize my car is a stick right...... He just looked at me and said sorry for the mix up

Subvet642 · 12-10-2010, 08:24 AM

I think I've got you all beat:

About a week ago, the wife takes the car (a 2005 Chrysler 300 Touring) in to the Firestone for an inspection sticker and an oil change. Before long, the guy says: I noticed a little wear on your brakes, would like a "complementary" brake inspection? So the wife figures: why not? He then shows her a brake rotor with some grooves on it and got her to agree to have them all replaced instead of having them turned. Cost: $1200.00. I flipped out, the wife felt bad, and now she won't have ANYTHING done to the car without me there.

Blueface · 12-10-2010, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sled Dog

I went in for an oil change once, they tried to hit me up for a tranny fluid change, I said, you do realize my car is a stick right...... He just looked at me and said sorry for the mix up

I think I have one that compares.
I went for two front tires, they told me I needed an alignment, which I knew I didn't.
Asked how much, they told me I needed the more expensive "4 wheel" alignment.
I asked why?
They said it was best to do that way.
I advised them I had a Volvo 740 with rear wheel drive and no adjustment in the rear. I was curious as to how they would be able to pull that off?
They told me it was the only way to do an alignment.
I asked if to do the front, standard, two wheel alignment didn't entail setting up center line off rear axle in order to accomplish hence it in fact included the rear in the process?
I then asked what made him so sure I needed an alignment with no specs to show me how it was off?
I told them I was quite impressed at their ability to try to sell me a job that was impossible to perform.

Needless to say, I walked away, with no purchase at all and gave about 10 folks waiting there an education.

neoflex · 12-10-2010, 08:12 AM

You guys are brave for bringing your vehicles to Walmart for any kind of service. I would trust them with my truck just as much as I would trust the local crackhead with it. I have heard too many horror stories from places like Walmart and Jiffy Lube to ever bring my cars there. Most of those places hire guys at the cheapest wage and their work usually reflects what they are being paid. I have heard of too many people leaving with their car to find out they never put oil back in the car. Just recently happened to my brother in-law. (No BS)
I usually do my own oil changes but luckily with both the wife and I, our trucks came with free oil changes for two years so that's been kind of nice. I also got real friendly with the head service writer at the dealer so I get spared the up sell BS. Every once in a while when the guy I usually deal with is busy and I get another writer and he tries that BS, I usually just reply with "Hey, do me a favor and ask Bobby to come over here to explain why I need this." That usually stops them dead in their tracks or they do get him and he usually just takes over for me as he knows I don't like to tolerate the BS. It's also because of this that I went back and bought a second vehicle from that dealership. I have been turned off by many dealers because their service depts suck.
When I had a Nissan I once brought my truck in for work. Keep in mind I didn't smoke in my truck but when I came to pick my truck up from having warranty work done, there were cigarette ashes all over my passenger seat. Granted they were leather so it cleaned up easy and no burn holes but still. Needless to say I tore the service manager a new @sshole and even asked to speak with the mechanic who worked on my vehicle and even tore him a new @ss. The best part is they had the nerve to call me a few months later saying my truck was due for service. After that phone conversation they never called me again. It's tough to find a good mechanic these days but when you do it's best to stay on his good side as they seem far and few lately.

12-10-2010, 08:22 AM

FWIW...

I worked for GSA Fleet Management for 23 years and it's been my experience that the less than honest shops far outweigh the honest ones. They will try to take advantage, no matter who you are. In many cases, because we were located in Fort Worth, TX, the shops in our area knew we'd send somebody to check any questionable repairs. But the vendors in outlying areas and other states AR, OK, LA, NM and at one time Panama, would consistently attempt to rip us off.

The better shops seemed to know that if they treated us right, we'd be back, just like their regular customers. The others just saw $ when one of our cars rolled in to their work bays. It didn't take long to determine who we wanted to do business with and who we didn't.

12-09-2010, 05:43 PM	#1
Commander Quan Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Derrick Location: Canton, OH Posts: 966 Trading: (4)	Re: Walmart latest Auto repair rip-off servicer? It's not just Walmart it's everywhere. Before I met my wife she would go in for an oil change (which she did every 3000 miles religiously) and leave there spending at least $100 in upsales.

12-09-2010, 06:29 PM	#3
captain53 Have My Own Room Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Lake of the Ozarks & Austin, TX Posts: 1,333 Trading: (3)	Re: Walmart latest Auto repair rip-off servicer? Yes Sir you are absolutely correct except you did not mention the biggest oil change scam - "your transmission fluid needs changing............" and then you drive out with a $200+ oil change and a transmission likely to fail pre-maturely. Pisses me off to no end when they do that crap and actually I started using Walmart for oil changes at one time because they do not do transmission fluid so I did not have to cuss them out everytime like the oil change shops. But Walmart got otherwise too difficult to deal with so now found a new place and told them to put in the computer under my account - this guy is an ass and don't mention transmission fluid or other upsells to him- guy said they would note it and have not yet had a problem. All Crooks - and yes the dealers too!

12-10-2010, 08:24 AM	#6
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: Walmart latest Auto repair rip-off servicer? I think I've got you all beat: About a week ago, the wife takes the car (a 2005 Chrysler 300 Touring) in to the *Firestone* for an inspection sticker and an oil change. Before long, the guy says: I noticed a little wear on your brakes, would like a "complementary" brake inspection? So the wife figures: why not? He then shows her a brake rotor with some grooves on it and got her to agree to have them all replaced instead of having them turned. Cost: $1200.00. I flipped out, the wife felt bad, and now she won't have ANYTHING done to the car without me there. __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

12-10-2010, 08:12 AM	#8
neoflex I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: John Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 2,765 Trading: (32)	Re: Walmart latest Auto repair rip-off servicer? You guys are brave for bringing your vehicles to Walmart for any kind of service. I would trust them with my truck just as much as I would trust the local crackhead with it. I have heard too many horror stories from places like Walmart and Jiffy Lube to ever bring my cars there. Most of those places hire guys at the cheapest wage and their work usually reflects what they are being paid. I have heard of too many people leaving with their car to find out they never put oil back in the car. Just recently happened to my brother in-law. (No BS) I usually do my own oil changes but luckily with both the wife and I, our trucks came with free oil changes for two years so that's been kind of nice. I also got real friendly with the head service writer at the dealer so I get spared the up sell BS. Every once in a while when the guy I usually deal with is busy and I get another writer and he tries that BS, I usually just reply with "Hey, do me a favor and ask Bobby to come over here to explain why I need this." That usually stops them dead in their tracks or they do get him and he usually just takes over for me as he knows I don't like to tolerate the BS. It's also because of this that I went back and bought a second vehicle from that dealership. I have been turned off by many dealers because their service depts suck. When I had a Nissan I once brought my truck in for work. Keep in mind I didn't smoke in my truck but when I came to pick my truck up from having warranty work done, there were cigarette ashes all over my passenger seat. Granted they were leather so it cleaned up easy and no burn holes but still. Needless to say I tore the service manager a new @sshole and even asked to speak with the mechanic who worked on my vehicle and even tore him a new @ss. The best part is they had the nerve to call me a few months later saying my truck was due for service. After that phone conversation they never called me again. It's tough to find a good mechanic these days but when you do it's best to stay on his good side as they seem far and few lately. __________________

12-10-2010, 08:22 AM	#9
nozero Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Walmart latest Auto repair rip-off servicer? FWIW... I worked for GSA Fleet Management for 23 years and it's been my experience that the less than honest shops far outweigh the honest ones. They will try to take advantage, no matter who you are. In many cases, because we were located in Fort Worth, TX, the shops in our area knew we'd send somebody to check any questionable repairs. But the vendors in outlying areas and other states AR, OK, LA, NM and at one time Panama, would consistently attempt to rip us off. The better shops seemed to know that if they treated us right, we'd be back, just like their regular customers. The others just saw $ when one of our cars rolled in to their work bays. It didn't take long to determine who we wanted to do business with and who we didn't.