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My Wal-Mart auto service fails

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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 03:13 AM
  #1  
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Default My Wal-Mart auto service fails

I don't know about your local Wal-Mart, but because of the price of the service, I decided, for the first time to service my vehicle @ Wal-Mart. Because I live in San Francisco, I had to commute to Oakland for it.

What I needed done was simple: a basic oil change and mount/balance new front tires. Well...what can go wrong?

1. Sorry sir, we're out of weights to balance your tires
2. Sorry sir, we don't carry oil filters for your car.

Because my front tires were so damaged to the point where the inner tire cords were beginning to show and disconnect, I had forced to mount on the new tires w/o it being balanced. But I plan on getting it done in the next couple of days.

What else did they forget? One of my wheel caps. Thank goodness I checked.

Their service is utter crap. Not only are they not knowledgeable, but they work at glacial speeds. But maybe it's because I went on a Saturday.

O, wait....TPMS didn't get reset. I fixed it.
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 03:30 AM
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I agree... Brought in my truck ones since I have a nail on one of the tire. Waited an hour for my turn because they had other customer's vehicle on the lift... All that after an hour just for them to tell me their tire remover is too small for my 18" wheel (stock on my titan)... Wasted a whole freaking our for that.....
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 05:40 AM
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Somehow, this surprises you?
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 05:51 AM
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o come on at least take it to a Toyota stealership. Wal-Mart? lol
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 05:55 AM
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Wal Mart works on cars now? Thats new one. Either way, taking a Lexus to a budget place isnt advisable
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 07:14 AM
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Think about WalMart's reputation, and think about what their hiring standards are to get cheap techs that can turn a wrench for minimal pay. Would you really want them working on your car?

I can't believe you commuted anywhere to get to a WalMart. I get nervous even thinking about having someone there working on my car.

Stick to going to a dealer, or at least a good local mechanic. Don't get your car serviced at a big box store!!
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 07:17 AM
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San Francisco doesn't have any wal-marts??
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 9relude8
o come on at least take it to a Toyota stealership. Wal-Mart? lol
+1
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 08:01 AM
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While I understand your frustration, you should have seen enough posts on this forum to know that our oil filters are relatively unique and that not a lot of manufacturers produce it.

In fact, I wonder if anybody takes their car to a quick lube place actually got their oil filter changed, because I seriously doubt they would have had it in stock just in case a Lexus IS rolls in.
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 08:02 AM
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oh my...
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 08:18 AM
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My local quick lube place does have the filters in stock. The first time I went, they did not, but the next closest one did. The places I have used seem to know what they are doing.

I've also used Walmart for other cars (camry, integra, highlander, prism) I have had. I've never had problems with their oil change and had them mount tires that I bought online. Maybe I lucked out with my Walmart experience. That was when I used to live across the street from a Walmart (just leave the car and walk home). Now I just go to costco for tires (that's all they do and they do a good job). Don't know if I would use Walmart for my IS250.
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 09:32 AM
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people dont go to wal mart for their services ... they go there for prices
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 09:41 AM
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it's ignorant to be expecting quality service when going to wal-mart...
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 05:19 PM
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I personally wouldn't trust anyone my age (20) anywhere near any of my cars, and one of them is a '97 Civic beater.

Do yourself and your car a favor and at least bring it in to a Toyota dealership for service.
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 06:05 PM
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I took my beater pick up truck there for an oil change once. They neglected to put the drain plug washer on, so I leaked oil all over the place. I never brought her back there again.
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