Big O Tires Statement of Ray Lanfear In regard to Big O Tire Service For the past several years I have taken my car for service to the Big O Tire establishment on 4728 E. Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada. I was a g Las Vegas, Nevada

Statement of Ray Lanfear In regard to Big O Tire Service

For the past several years I have taken my car for service to the Big O Tire establishment on 4728 E. Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada. I was a good customer for them.

Normally, have tires, brakes, oil changes, rotation, alignment, work done there.  On 8/8/12, went to to get a free tire rotation and check air pressure. (have had this done in the past normally takes about 20 minutes, today for whatever reason it took
an hour).

It is my belief, based upon the following that Big O Tire Service engages in deceptive, fraud and unethical practices on behalf of their business, for the following reasons.

From the moment I took the car in, I had a sense that the service manager Tylor Gegken, was trying to push unethically for extra sales.  I walked in and told him, all I needed was a tire rotation and to check the air in my tires.  His first response was that did I want a written estimate if they found additional repairs needed on my vehicle.  I said no.  He then asked if I would like an oil change, I said no.  At that point, he had me sign for the free work I had requested and took the keys and told me it would be about 30 minutes.  About 10 minutes later, the mechanic that was going to work on my vehicle, came in and said how do I start your car? thought that was a strange question. 

He said the key does not work?  I went out, turned the steering wheel lightly, turned on the ignition and started it right up. (Thought it was strange he did not know to turn the steering wheel?)

While I was waiting in the customer lounge, an ethnic lady was complaining about having to pay $499.00 for service that they said was needed, felt somewhat sad for her as she had 2 young kids with her and wondered if those services were really necessary?

About an hour later, Tylor, the service manager said my car was done.  I walked up to the desk and he said he wanted to go over the recommended services by the mechanic, i.e., there was a list of about 7 items, handwritten by the mechanic Edward
Schlumpberge.  I listened to him as he read the list, oil change, transmission change, shocks, etc.  When he mentioned that I needed shocks, I almost told him, youre a crook, but restrained myself.

I simply said, well that is very strange, since I had new Front and Rear Struts installed here by Big O about 12 months ago and paid over $655.00 for that.  At that point Tylor had egg on his face and I suggested he should review that with his mechanic.
He walked away for a few minutes and said something to the mechanic came back and offered an apology, saying that the mechanic was mistaken.  As to the recommended oil change, just had it changed a month ago by another dealer,(my vehicle had only been driven 800 miles since my last oil change) so that recommendation was false also? I noticed he attached the written notes of the mechanic to the copy of the invoice, that they save, i.e., put on file.

I was furious, mad knowing that many of their customers are being taken advantage of, totally fraud and unethical automotive
practices.  Naturally, was going to call the manager, but he was not on duty that day and furthermore, knew that he would only apologize and nothing would get done. How many customers have been taken advantage and will be taken advantage of in the future.? I also know there is a fine line between recommended services and what is actually needed.  In my case two of the recommended services was definitely not needed. It was clerly an attempt to get extra sales for a slow day and fraudent and deceptive in their approach.

So I have decided to lodge a complaint against them in all forms possible, consumer complaint, attorney general, face book, television station and will talk to as many people as possible because there is no doubt in my mind that they are operating unethically, and taking advantage of poor, and elderly people who do not know what is a necessary repair.  This is not a case of merely suggesting recommended services, it is a case of outright fraud and deceptive business practices on their part.

Probably cannot resolve the complaint, although since they said my shocks were no good, perhaps they should refund the $655 of work that I had done there.  I will probably never do business with them again, nor in my opinion do they care.

In addition if it were my business, I would terminate the service manager as well as the mechanic for their fraud and unethical business practices immediately.

 
Sincerely,

RayLanfear

Big O Tire Invoice 61157180 order #33481826 dated

08/08/12