Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:18:00 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: VLVC - Battery experience with Walmart-Lengthy Walmart
service experience.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
A few years ago my son and I were down in Florida at my Mom's place. We left
her place on a Saturday afternoon planning to mostly drive through the night
until I couldn't and finish the trip home on Sunday. It is 1,200 miles from
mom's place to my place.
We stopped at a Flying J near Jacksonville for fuel and I always get some
snacks. Right after we pulled back onto the highway the van had some real
bad vibrations. I suspected a tire or wheel bearing. I stopped a few times
but could not find the problem. I couldn't continue home this way so I set
out to do something.
Just north of Jacksonville I decided to try using Walmart to find my
problem. I pulled in and requested the $29.95 or whatever rotate and balance
all 4 tires.
Being a Syncro they had a heck of a time lifting it as they only had those
floor lifts. I gave some direction and using the lift and a jack they were
able to get the 4 wheels off the ground. They put a very nice older mechanic
on the case. Anyway, he pulled off the 4 tires, went to balance them and on
the 3rd one we found the problem. The belts were separating and there was a
bulge in the tread. The mechanic was apologetic that I needed a tire. I was
relieved. No problem. Get out the spare. Oh, the jack in the front was in
the way. Let the van down, get out the tire. Hey this tire is flat! Yes I
know! It is deflated so it can fit in the tray. Inflate it to 42 psi please
and balance it also. "OK" he says. Now comes the fun part. He puts the 4
tires on, tightens them gently with the impact wrench, then toques them down
with a torque wrench. Then a supervisor comes out and checks them again and
signs off on some form. Then they take the van and drive it around the
parking lot, do a few figure 8's and checks all the nuts one final time. I
was impressed.
Now all of this took almost 2 hours. I go up to the register fully expecting
to pay dearly for this work. They hand me the bill. I'm in shock! Rotate and
balance 4 tires, $29.95 plus whatever the tax was. So super relieved that
the problem was found and I got off so cheap I went to give the mechanic a
tip. He says "sorry, I am not allowed to take anything".
So I headed home with no further issues. Bring the tire to the Goodyear
dealer. They gave me almost 1/2 credit towards the replacement tire.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Tom Hargrave
Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2013 10:11 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: VLVC - Battery experience with Walmart
I have no issue with someone switching from baking rolls to changing oil.
Changing oil does not take much skill, changing oil takes attention to
detail.
My issue with Walmart doing auto service is their 'apparent' lack of focus
on the business. Buy a stale loaf of bread and you just return it & get your
$2.00 back. Over torque wheel nuts, not draining oil during an oil change
and stripping the oil drain plug & not telling me all have far reaching
consequences!
Thanks, Tom Hargrave
www.kegkits.com
www.stir-plate.com
www.towercooler.com
www.grow-sun.com
www.raspberryproject.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Rob
Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2013 8:55 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: VLVC - Battery experience with Walmart
At 10/12/2013 07:44 AM, Don Hanson wrote:
> Crikey!...finding decent and dependable auto mechanics is not
>something I would expect at Wal Mart, of all places....
One day my daughter was working in the bakery at the Super Walmart, the next
day she was changing oil at the same Super Walmart.
Their batteries w/warranty and price make them a good deal.
Rob
vwrobb@gmail.com
Volkswagen Enthusiast ....
