On Sunday February 17th, I drove my Audi to the Firestone Tire and Service store located on 66th Street in the Southdale Center in Edina MN. I had a puncture in my tire that wasn't holding air, and after inquiring about the situation over the phone , planned on getting it repaired quickly for the quoted $30.
After the service center looked at my tire, Zach, the customer service advisor told me that the tire would not be repairable, and that I would need to purchase a new set of 4 tires. He did not present the damaged tire to me. When I suggested doing some research on tires, Zach discouraged me from driving more than 30 miles on the spare tire. While pondering my options, I read the Harvey Firestone quote on the wallpaper in the lobby, that stated "Honesty is the greatest business principle," and decided to go ahead and purchase new tires.
Shortly afterwards, and now into hour two of my visit to the service center, Zach has called me back up to his counter (bully pulpit) and told me that I need new brakes. Concerned for my safety, he told me that driving any more on my brake pads would be dangerous because there is very little left on the brake pads. I decline.
While waiting, I walked towards the auto service area, and see my Audi raised up on the automotive lift in the nearest repair bay. With the tires removed, I take a picture(BEFORE). Checking progress again, I see my Audi being lowered and the service technician kicking in the swing arms with his feet, intending to tuck them under the vehicle, so the car can roll off the lift in reverse. I see the swing arm closest to my vantage point is not tucked in completely and gets lodged in the backside of the front spoiler/splash guard. Unknown to the technician in the driver seat, the front end has flexed to the max and become separated from the passenger side of the front end. Zach is present in the area and sees this happening, and quickly commands the driver to stop reversing the car. He drives the car back forward to release the damaged splash guard off the lift arm. I witnessed the front bumper completely pulled and extended off the car and then flexed back and now hanging off in a resting position.
My vehicle was then lifted up in another bay, which was the furthest from the customer lobby to review the damage to the bumper. Assuming they would review and share with me the extent of the damage afterwards, I wait patiently. Zach has started to eat his lunch at the counter. I approach him and ask him if he is going to address the damage done to the car. He is surprised that I know of the damage, and immediately says the bumper had damage before, and would not have gotten caught on the swing arm if not flawed. He said they are 're-attaching' and will be the same as it was before. I am now very concerned that I am not dealing with a customer service oriented professional or company.
After three hours, my car is ready, and I am asked to pay for the new tires by Zach. I ask if I can see the car before I make the payment, and he reluctantly walks out to the car. He shows me the 're-attached' bumper and states that it looks like it did before. I had taken a picture (AFTER) and told him that I was not happy with his unwillingness to be upfront and honest about the situation and not comfortable making the payment for the tires without some plan of resolution for the body damage. He responded by accusing me of being like 'many others, whom take advantage of Firestone's deep pockets', and starts to become visibly agitated with my pursuit of some resolution. He tells me that I can call tomorrow and talk to the manager if I have a problem. With that, I pay for the tires, and when I request that he put a note on my invoice that there was damage to the body of the car, which he denies until asked again with another customer waiting next to me.
The next day, I call store manager Josh, and asked him if he was aware of the situation from yesterday. Josh agrees that the situation was handled poorly. He then states that Zach didn't actually know how the car was damaged - despite witnessing it. With Zach present, I am put in a situation of my word against Zach during my return visit and pursuit of customer service and honesty. Zach has misrepresented the story.
Josh states that he doesn't have his A Team working on Sundays, and that his weekday team may be able to repair the bumper to my satisfaction. After review with Josh we see that the bumper was re-attached to my car with zip ties. Josh has the weekday technician remove the zip ties and after another hour, I am presented with the vehicle again with a slightly improved but still separated. I am not pleased and will get quotes for real repair. He never followed up with me, and when body work was completed, they agreed to only pay for the bumper, and not the grill and lighting parts that come with the bumper. Wasted a lot of time, lost some faith, and doubt my tire puncture wasn't repairable in the first place. read more