Flynns Tire Group Ripoff service damage refused to repair poor service practices bad negotiations Dover Ohio

On April 17 2003, I went to Flynns Tire to get an alignment for my 77 Chevy Van. Despite its age I travel all around the country in it. I had replaced the upper control arm bushings and needed an alignment.

The alignment was taking much longer than it should. After an hour I questioned the service writer, Mike, about it. At that time it was admitted that Rich Penrod the technician had stripped the fasteners for the upper control arm. I reported to them that I had just had those fateners apart and had no problem torqueing them down. They worked on it and gave the van back to me.

A few months later I noticed a front tire was wearing badly. When I took it in, I was told the lower ball jints were bad. I questioned why they werent checked previously. After the shrugs, I told them I would be back the next day with new joints installed. The next day an alignment was done and I thought the problems were over. New clunks and squeaks started. I returned on the next Monday. At that time I was told that the shims had not fallen out so it wasnt their problem, but they would look at it for an extra charge. It took three days to do that.

They also left my van unlocked in their parking lot during that time.

A different shop confirmed that my NEW ball joints were bad. (This was done in 5 minutes and at no charge!) The mecahnic explained that has happened to him many times. I replaced them a second time and the new set was OK. The new shop confirmed that all the other parts were "tight" and an alignment was attempted. The mechanic then exclaimed "You mean they let this van out like THIS?? When he found the stripped fasteners. He did the best he could to keep the control arms attached.

I filed a BBB report and the manager John Patterson replied with a story abiut me using used parts! I replied with the complete story and he called to have me come in and talk to him. When I did it was obvious he was not going to do any negotiations. (So why waste my time??) I did take a refund for the botched alignment, but told him I would see him in court for the price of repairs.

In September I was checking my van after hearing a clunk, and found the shims on one side had fallen out. The stripped fastener finally failed for good. The NEW but the second shop installed had stayed tight.

The studs his mechanic stripped are discontinued from Chevrolet. I did locate another crossmember in Atlanta, GA with good hardware. I found out that the replacement of these studs can only be done by dropping the crossmember so Flynns bill will have LOTS of hours for the repair.

I believe this shop to be careless in their service methods. Their concern for customer service is low since I had to wait 4 days before I got any information regarding the problem with the ball joints. Mr Patterson does not appear to have any concern for his customers safety from their poor service practices or care to negotiate in good faith for reparations arising out of service problems.

I do not know if these problems are local or chain wide. Flynns operates 19 locations in PA and OH as listed on their invoice.

Peter
Strasburg, Ohio
U.S.A.