Jack Williams Tire Co. Falsely failed state inspection, rip off, rotors and breaks Camp Hill Pennsylvania

As a former Technician at this Jack Williams location, I can tell you from my personal experiences that this happens on a regular basis. Not just this particular scam (which I congratulate you for not letting them get away with) but also numerous others, too many to count. They're all different, yet the same...

The General Manager (Jim) had a well-known Personal Philosophy: "If it's not broke, tell him/her that it is then sell him/her two of them". He must have been very good at this because the company Executives seemed to take good care of him. When a "scam" went wrong, management would join together in convincing a technician to take the blame. Sometimes even substituting an entirely different technician than the one who performed the work. They always found a clever way to put it all on the tech, while themselves claiming innocence/ignorance.

I believe the only reason your situation was reconciled was because you drew so much attention to their antics. Congratulations for your persistence and I hope anyone that finds themselves in a similar situation will use this report as a roadmap.

I know first hand, having been part of this mess, that the explanation given to you was more than likely false.  That technician uses that micrometer day in and day out, not to mention they have all been there at this location when this happened to you for years.  They all have been inspecting cars for a very long time, and use that micrometer probobly on average 5 times a day.  They use scare tactics to get you to purchase service, falsely measuring brakes and rotors.  Luckily you had the knowledge to back off and get a second opinion.  I have seen first hand how many people experience this and don't either understand, or have the backbone you have to speak up.

Luckily you were refunded your money in full.  As far as being charged to put your car back together, is completely insane.  The price you pay for an inspection is pass or fail, and includes tear down and reassembly.  I truly wish you would have had the opportunity to call the quality assurance officer for state inspections.  Hopefully you go elsewhere, or if you still shop here, do your research first.  Especially if you have a discount card!!!

Not every store is like this I am sure.  It all comes from the general manager, or from those who train them.  Thankfully, there are people like you who will express injustices.  Good luck in the future!

The corporate headquarters of Jack William's Tire contacted me after seeing this report and asked for me to explain my problem.  I told them everything I had filed in the original report.  The lady I spoke with was very nice and asked me if I would be willing to bring my car in to any shop (did not have to be the one I had the problem with) for them to measure my rotors and find out why they failed at their stores and not other garages.  I said that would not be a problem and offered to take it to the Camp Hill store so that they could test it with the equipment that had originally been used on my car.

The District Manager, Mr. Tom Murphy called me up and told me that he would personally meet me at the Camp Hill store at a time of my choosing and he would take care of the problem. 

I took my car in and showed him what my measurements were reading elsewhere and he took the car back to inspect the rotors.  He tested it with the electronic micronometer and my car passed.  He let the tech who had did my inspection try it and my car failed.  It was discovered that the electronic micronometer was pressure sensitive and that it's actually possible to register negative widths.  The tech who did my inspection had applied a little too much pressure and that's why I failed, since the more pressure, the lower the micronometer reading. 

I am very happy with the service I received from the district manager and the store manager.  They refunded me not only what I paid there, but the costs I incurred when I took my car elsewhere to have the rotors checked and then inspected.  I have to say, when they think you are unhappy with your service, they really try to remedy it.  I left feeling really happy not only with the service, but that the original failed inspection was an honest mistake.

Thanks.