Firestone Complete Auto Care RIPOFF REPORT, Pekin, Illinois

On 3-26-10, I went to Firestone, to get a yearly vehicle inspection, and based on that inspection, decided what work would need done for this year. I wanted also to have my overflow tank cleaned out, because it was visibly dirty, and a radiator flush. Based on the inspection report, I told them to fix the upper and lower balljoints and the idler arm, besides the work I had already told them that I wanted done.

On 3-26-10 PM, I picked up my car. I stopped at a store on my way home and thought I should look at the only thing I'd be able to inspect (the overflow tank). It was in the same condition as before, filty. Along with this, my digital readout was blank, until I hit a bump, then it came back on. I took it back to Firestone and asked them how much money I wasted having new antifreeze put into a dirty container/radiator, and he told me, in an voice like it didn't matter, about $120. They said they would redo the work and  I had a choice of leaving it there overnight or bringing back on another day. I originally was going to bring it back, but when I turned the car on, my digital readout was gone again. I took the key into the guy and he said they'd redo the tank cleaning and check out the digital readout problem. They would do the work first thing in the morning and call me when it was done.

On 3-27-10 early AM, I called and told them I wanted the inspection redone and for the manager to look over the work, to make sure it was being done this time. I told the guy that since I know the tank hadn't been cleaned, how was I to know that anything else had been done. They agreed to this request. I also asked for all my old parts to be returned to me when I pick up the car. They agreed to this request.

On 3-27-10 approximately 11 AM they called and said my car was ready. When I got there, I checked my overflow tank, and it had been cleaned. I asked for my parts and the manager on duty went to get them. I got everything from them from a tune-up, oil change, ball joints, and idler arm except for the oil filter. I asked the manager if he had looked to see if they had put a new one on when they had redone the work that morning, and he said no, so I then asked him if he could check it, so he did. While I was waiting for this to get done, I went inside to see if they figured out why my digital readout had gone blank and the guy blamed it on me. He told me that I had my dimmer knob turned in a spot where it caused it. Since I give every answer I get some consideration, I went to test if that could be possible. NOPE. No change in the readout WHATSOEVER, and I went back in and told him so.

On 3-31-10 AM, I took my car and the old parts to another Auto Shop for another inspection and to look at the old parts. The inspection revealed an oil leak and a coolant leak (no mention  of this on my Firestone inspection). They also examined my old parts and found "old upper and lower ball joints show no movement", "idler arm showed some movement". Before I left this new shop, an independent parts dealer came in and looked at those parts, he confirmed that they should not have been replaced. Both people signed the inspection report.

On 3-31-10, after the reinspection, I took all my new information back to Firestone and talked to the manager. I accepted a refund of $923.06. I only paid for the parts at cost and no mark-up or labor.