Traditionally, Wal-Mart has had a reputation of being the knight in shining armor for small townspeople everywhere.
I grew up in Arkansas so Wal-Mart was a household name. You shopped there for everything you needed, sometimes ate lunch at the McDonalds in there, registered there when you got engaged and often had social reunions in the aisle.
It seemed only natural when we moved out of state to continue to use Wal-Mart. We have experienced food sickness because of bad hamburger over the last year so we no longer buy our meat at the store.
Unfortunately, since Sam Walton died, the quality and service has just disintegrated. So was the case with my recent trip to automotive department for a routine oil change.
As a woman, I still hate venturing to deal with routine automotive procedures. However, my husband was very busy before Christmas so he asked if I could get the oil change. He felt Wal-Mart would be safe because it is a chain and of its reputation.
Boy, was he wrong. I pulled in to a man obviously not happy to see me. There were no cars lined up at the time. He continued his conversation with another employee before eventually coming out. All of our information was in their computer from past repairs so he informed me it would be about 30 minutes.
I unloaded my kids and walked in to shop for teacher presents since it was before Christmas. It wasn't ten minutes and I was called to the back. The guy informed me that my air filter was hideous and not working at all.
He asked if I wanted it replaced and after being told it was $12, I agreed. It wasn't until I was rang up that I realized Wal-Mart charges a lot more for oil changed than the old days. It was $40 just for the oil change. I could get a better oil change for $15 less at the dealership in which I bought the car.
I apologized to my husband, but he felt like it was not as big of a deal as I did. Fast forward to after Christmas.
My car is in the shop. The mechanic has informed us that not only did Wal-mart not change the oil filter that is part of the oil change I was charged for, they also left something unscrewed and my car has been leaking and spraying oil.
After being towed to the mechanic, I am now looking at having to replace the entire engine in my car because of their negligence. Wal-Mart has not even responded to the complaint.
It is frustrating because since that time others have stressed that they would never go to Wal-Mart. It is also frustrating because not only was the oil change more expensive but it is going to cost me thousands before it is all said and done.
My advice when needing any kind of car work including tires is to go right pass that so called "hometown" establishment and move on to the one that really cares.
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