One of the worst, most ridiculous automotive related experiences I've had in a long time!
I have nothing against other Firestone stores in my general area. However, this store is was the most geographically convenient. But, had I known what I was in for, I would have happily driven to another Firestone store.
I stopped in this store mid-morning on Sunday to check into an alignment. My truck is lifted, so I wanted to make sure their equipment would work on my truck. I was told by the counter attendant that they could do an alignment check and that would determine if they could do the alignment. The attendant said that the check and the alignment would take 30 minutes, up to an hour and a half. He said, unfortunately, they only had one technician that day who was still working on cars from Saturday and wouldn't be able to get to me that day. So, I made an appointment for 7am on that Tuesday.
I arrived at the store a couple of minutes before 7am, but there were three people in the store lobby with the lights on. So, one of the unlocked the door and let me in. The attendant asked if I was there to pick up a vehicle. I told him that I had a 7am appointment for an alignment check and alignment. He look it up in his computer and validated my appointment. I told him since I was told the process wouldn't take more than 90 minutes, that I would wait while they did the work. Finally, at 7:25 the technician pulled my truck into a service bay.
At 8am a customer arrives for their scheduled appointment for an oil change and tire rotation. This customer's vehicle was taken into a service bay almost immediately. The next thing I see is the one service technician who is supposed to be working on my truck, is beginning to work on the other customer's vehicle.
At about 8:15am I when to the desk to find out what was taking so long. The person who seemed to be in charge, told me that my alignment assessment was finished and the results were ready to print. The printout showed the alignment costs for 12 month and lifetime warranties at the bottom, after recommending an oil change and the cost, it shows on my windshield sticker that it hasn't even been 3k miles since my last oil change, recommended coolant flush, an engine air filter, diagnostic engine analysis, TPMS diagnostics, and 2 different steering & suspension replacements. And, I still didn't have an alignment after almost an hour and a half of waiting!
During my time waiting in the store lobby, I got to listen to the person who seemed to be a manager coach the other customer attendant on how to manage competing priorities and other procedures. Also while I was waiting, a person came in the store saying that her check engine light as on. The attendant welcomed her and acted as he was going to at least let her know what the check engine code might be when the manager interrupted and said they wouldn't be able to help because they don't have anyone on staff who is certified to resolve the problem causing the check engine situation. After sending the person on their way, the manager informed the attendant that Autozone and O'Reilly auto stores rip people off by diagnosing the check engine codes and then try to sell people parts to fix the problem. The manager said the other auto stores are not ASE certified and don't know what they're talking about and are just trying to sell parts.
I was so irritated and frustrated by the absolute ineptness and lack of customer service of all three employees in this Firestone store, I paid my $23 analysis fee and left.
This store could offer me a free lifetime alignment warranty and I would never accept it, nor will I ever walk through their door again! The people who manage/own this Firestone store are the rip offs. I've already warned family, friends, and neighbors to beware of this store. It's obvious that I'm not alone as every single review for this store on Yelp is a 1 star rating with similar experiences.
The icing on the cake was when I pulled out on to Hwy 114 and the hood of my truck flew up because the Firestone service tech didn't latch it down when he finished trying to assess everything except my alignment. Obviously this created an immediate and serious hazard for me and for drivers around me. Fortunately, I was in the outside lane where I could pull over and close my hood... read more