Sears Auto Center Die-Hard Battery Purchase Rip-Off College Station, TX Texas

I have purchased Die-Hard Batteries faithfully since 1977 for all of my vehicles. On October 26, 2013 I went to Sears Auto Center in College Station, TX and told the attendant that I would like to trade up for a new Die Hard Battery. The one in my vehicle was four (4) years old and I wanted to be prepared for the oncoming cold Texas weather. I was a full time student at Texas A&M University. My wife, is unable to drive because of an severe injury; the result of a fall.

The attendent went into the back room and brought out a battery for me. I thought this was very unusual and unprofessional. Ryan, the attendant, explained that the battery that he had brought out was exactly what I needed and matched the battery in my Vehicle. I took his word for it and the battery was installed; the service during the installation was almost unbelieveably good. I had also asked them to check out my charging system to make sure the alternator and voltage reulator were working properly. I paid the additional charge for this service and was told that both the alternator and the voltage reulator were working fine. I had not had any trouble with my old battery; it was just that it was four years old and we were receiving a forecast of upcoming cold weather.

The following morning I went to start my vehicle and even though it started the battery seemed half dead. I checked the connections for tightness, etc and the altimeter for charging and everything seemed normal. Monday mornine Oct 28th, 2013 I had to jump the truck off to get it started. I called Sears that day and was told I would have to wait until Saturday Nov. 2, 2013 and speak with "Dale" the manager about it. I had to jump the vehicle off again during the week and arrived at Sears on Saturday, Nov. 2. "Dale" was not available. To make a long story short, I had to jump the vehicle off 40 times from the time I purchased it until Dec 6, 2013 when I took it to Sears at 3PM and demanded to speak with Dale about my battery. He remained in his office with three other mechanics. At 6PM I asked how my vehicle was coming and discovered no one had even looked at it in the bay. I told them I wanted my vehicle immediately. Instead an attendent went over and removed the battery from the vehicle. It was 8PM before he returned and told me he had put the battery back in my vehicle, that it checked out "all right" and that I might need to get my alternator changed. "Dale" continued to sit in his office with three mechanics that very cold night. The shop was filthy. I told the mechanic to jump start my vehicle immediately. They refused to replace the battery which cost $134.00. While I was waiting another mechanic had stripped the drain plug from a female customers vehicle. I had arrived at 3PM and it was after 8:30PM before I got my jump started vehicle back.

I drove home and Monday, Dec 9, 2013 I went to another garage and purchased and Interstate Battery. It is still in my vehicle along with the same Alternator and Voltage Regulator. I contacted Sears corporate office to file a complaint againt Sears Auto Center in College Station, TX and "Dale" the worse than useless manager. I told them the business there looked like a pig stye. I was rerouted to a toll free number. Whenever I called it, I would be re-directed to "Dale". He actually hung up on me when I was finally able to contact him. He never retunred one call and even though I made several appointments; no one was ever there to accommodate me. I could not believe this unacceptable service. I would like to see the business closed. It is a rip off and just like me, people have been turned out in dangerous vehicles. After I complained about this battery at different places, a mechanic who works at another dealership close by confided that a customer of theirs, a lady who is socially prominent, but whom he did not identify, had brought her vehicle to them with a similar complaint and with a Die Hard Battery from Sears exactly like the one they unloaded on me. He did say that Sears had agreed to refund her money for the battery. I was never given that option even though I demeanded my money back. i will never take another vehicle to Sears Auto Center in College Station, TX and if anyone ever needs a witness as a plaintiff against Sears Auto service please feel free to contact me. If this is the best Sears can do their business needs to be closed immediately.

 I did use a crredit card on this transaction; I regret but I didn't realize at the time that I could have disputed the charge with the Credit Card Company, whose service has been excellent. For anyone doing business with Sears, definitely use a credit card and dispute the transaction as quickly as possible. Otherwise you will loose your money and just get a run a round from Sears.