I have mixed feelings about Firestone Complete Auto Care. I bought 4 new tires there and was quoted a price if my car needed alignment. Actually, two prices; one for a regular alignment with a 1 year warranty, and a more expensive "lifetime" warranty alignment.
If you're like me, it's a guarantee that the thing you get a life time warranty on is something you won't own long enough to use it. I don't know how many unused "extended warranties" I've purchased in my life time, but it's a lot. I finally wised up and stopped buying them.
Because of the snow I ended up pushing my appointment back a day. When I dropped the car off a different service manager, John, was there. John is a very friendly guy who likes to share anecdotes. That's fine except when I'm dropping my car off, I just want to get in and out. I don't really need to hear about your church experiences.
After 3 hours I hadn't heard from John and called him. He said there were 2 cars ahead of ours. A short while later he called and said that our wheels were slightly out of alignment. He said we could conceivably forego the alignment - it was that close. Then he describe the alignment measurements of each wheel.
Mixed feelings issue one: I asked him how much it would cost, and the price he quoted was less than the other guy gave me, but the "discount" he offered because it was Presidents Day week, was less as well. Hmmm, different pricing from different employees? Overall though it was about $30 less than was previously quoted and I told him to go ahead and do the alignment. I felt good that he didn't just tell me I needed an alignment. How would I know if I did or not? I felt he was being honest with me.
Mixed feelings issue two: That being said, when I picked up my car a half hour later he hit me with something else - we needed new rear brakes and brake fluid. How much? $338 after the "discounts."
Why did it feel like I was being set up? Lure me in with "It's up to you about the alignment" and then hit me with a $300 brake job.
In fairness to John, maybe I do need a brake job. It's just between the varying price quotes I received, the array of "discounts," and how this all played out, it just left me feeling uncomfortable.
Oh yeah, before I left I got another 5 minute anecdote about the "big bosses coming into town", even though it was then after the regular closing hours.
Like I said I have mixed feelings about Firestone, but maybe that's just my paranoia.
Update: On 2/19/19 I took our car to Big G. They road tested it and then put it on their rack and checked my brakes. They told me, "You really don't need to replace your brakes yet. You've got 25% in the rear, and 70% in the front."
I decided to wait a few months on the brakes. I will never go back to Firestone, and Big G now has a new customer for life. They could have easily just replaced the brakes and I wouldn't have been the wiser - plus, their quote to do the job was $60 less than Firestone. I found out on "Nextdoor.com" that my case wasn't isolated. Many other folks have had the same positive experience at Big G. Firestone - thumbs down. Big G - thumbs up. read more
