Complaint Review: Firestone Ashland Ave. Swift Car Care Inc. - Chicago Illinois

I have an old model ('86) Oldsmobile Calais Supreme that was running very well because I made sure I kept the maintnenance up on this car like clock work. I had been going to this particular auto shop because it was recommended that they do good work. Well that may have been true up until Feb. 15, 2002. I had reported to the auto personnel there Frank and Al that my auto seemed to have a hard start and hesitant when driving forward. I indicated that I always warm the car up approximately 8 minutes before pulling off. I also indicated that there were no indicator lights lit on the dash and would you please run diagnostics on the car. I said that I wanted the car safe to drive because in April I was going to purchase a new car ... saving up my down payment (downpayment goal $2000). When was told by AL what was wrong I said I just put a new heater core in last year what's up with the radiator? Said it was leaking and a gasket underneath was just about broken. I asked how much and he said $520 dollars. My response was WHAAAT! I didn't have a choice in the matter because I work nights and I didn't want to be on public transportation late at night. So what could I do they had me over a barrel ... I paid them by electronic check which by the way went through and so they fixed the car. I understand the work is supposed to be guaranteed for 30 days. I was told by AL to bring the car back in a week so they could check it out and make sure everything is in order. I said ok. Car drove well all week no problems but when Sat. Feb 22, 2002 at 9:30am I am on my way over to the Firestone SWIFT CARE Auto Shop I didn't quite make it. Drove 1 mile to the ATM machine and when I returned to the vehicle it didn't turn over ... nothing. I knew it couldn't be the battery I could still blow the horn and get power to the radio. IT WAS DEAD!! Immediately I called FIRESTONE SWIFT CAR CARE, INC. and told Juan what happened and asked if I could get a tow to the shop. He said yes and to call FAST TOW. They came right away and dropped my auto and me off at the auto repair shop. Juan looked under the hood and stated that the left side of the motor was turning manually as it should but not the right side. Juan asked me to leave the car over the weekend (it would be secured inside the garage)until a master mechanic could take a look at the situation. Juan saw to it that I got a ride back home. When I spoke with FRANK and AL they told me my engine was locked up ... WHAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!!! I said I just had you guys tune the car up and I just had you do and top off all the oils last month how the DEVIL can the engine lock up???? Well, we don't know how what or why that could happen all your oil levels are okay and your anti-freeze level is okay. I said yeah right I have a thirty day warranty on the work and I want my car fixed or else. And this is the or else. I'm telling everyone I know don't take your car there. I told FRANK and AL that I'm not stupid. The work was done only a week ago and I'm still under warranty and I not spending another red penny on this ... fix it. Today is Feb. 27, 2002 and FRANK said to call him back at about 10:00am. Not only am I calling FRANK, I'm writing to FIRESTONE CORPORATION, Better Business Bureau, Consumer Complaint, an attorney and anyone that will listen. I want a bomb dropped on them. $500 dollars is a lot of money for a "I don't know" response. SO BUYER BE AWARE. Don't go to the FIRESTONE SWIFT CAR CARE, INC. located at 4456 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60609 because they will try to run a game down on you!

Cynthia

Chicago Illinois