I took my new Chevy Silverado to this Williams drive location about a month and a half back. When I came out of the car wash, I realized that the car wash's mechanisms had bent back my ladder rack, forcing the side rails to been downwards and forcing the body out on each of the side panels of my truck. I immediately pointed it out to the manager, who was responsive and professional even for his young age. But shortly thereafter the regional manager showed up and this guy who identified as "Clark", was one of the most unprofessional and ignorant people I've ever seen in management. He was rude, disrespectful, and accused ME of doing damage to THEIR equipment!! This guy had a total disregard for the damage to my vehicle. I even took a video of his blubbering incapability to articulate an explanation of why this happened to my truck, as he tried to mitigate the company's liability. This company had the opportunity at two points prior to entry into the car wash to warn of the propensity of the car wash's mechanisms to do damage to my vehicle. And being that we are in the state of texas, where every other truck has a ladder rack, you would think that there are training guidelines that would equip employees to give vehicle owners a red flag anytime a truck with a ladder rack comes through. While the manager and employees here are nice enough, the entire mid and upper management and corporate structure of this company sucks. Repeated phone calls and emails to the corporate office in Houston, as well as to their CEO and others on the board, went completely unanswered. A subsequent BBB complaint that I made was not even acknowledged before the time frame to do so ran out. They had the opportunity to address the issue, but they didn't even have the decency to acknowledge the incident. Thankfully I took extensive photographs and the video of the so-called regional manager while I was on location. I know that there are hundreds of people across the country who have also sustained damage to their vehicles as a result of this company's inadequate car wash mechanisms, according to the dozens of reviews that I have read about White Water Express car Wash. Additionally, every single one of those complaints experienced the same non-responsiveness from the corporate headquarters. Yes, I'm aware of their so-called disclaimers that are vague and ambiguous about their claim of not being responsible for damage to vehicles with aftermarket products installed. But just because somebody says they're not responsible for something, does not mean that they aren't responsible. If I warned you that I am about to smash you in the face with a 2x4 but I will not be responsible for facial reconstruction, it does not negate the fact that I am responsible for your facial reconstruction. Assigned by somebody that says they're not responsible, has absolutely no standing when they are responsible. Especially when there are other contributing factors. For example, these signs are vague and on the left hand side of when you are about to make the left hand turn into the car wash. But of necessity, a driver has to swing outward to the right in order to make that extremely sharp left hand turn in order to line up with the automated track of the car wash. I believe this is strategically done to avoid people actually seen and reading that sign. Other car washes actually advise against ladder racks. This company makes no effort to do so. I strongly advise you, whether you have a truck or otherwise, to avoid this faulty car wash and socially irresponsible company. I mean, that is unless you enjoy making hundreds of dollars of repairs to your vehicle. I am attaching photos below, as well as the repair estimate, and the BBB response - or rather, they're lack thereof. Horrible company. Don't use this company. There are many better alternatives in our area.
Here is an excerpted copy of the BBB response:
Sent: 8/12/2023 7:35:07 PM
From:
BBB of Metropolitan Houston
To:
Reid Whitesides
Subject:
This complaint has been closed without response from the business
This message originally read on 8/12/2023
Reid Whitesides
7450 E State Highway 29
Georgetown, TX78626
Dear Reid Whitesides:
This message is in regard to your complaint submitted on 7/17/2023 against White Water Express Car Wash. Your complaint was assigned ID 20322307.
The business has failed to respond to your complaint. Therefore, this complaint has automatically closed as "no response." Please understand if the company is not accredited with the BBB; this will be the final phase of our process. However, should the business choose to send a response we will then reopen the complaint and send it to you for a rebuttal. Your next step may be to pursue the company through Small Claims Court. For more information you can visit the Harris County Small Claims Court at http://www.jp.hctx.net/suits/filingsc.html...
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