Complain about a product or service

Sears Tire & Auto

Like everything else at Sears, the tire and auto operation generates a lot of heat. Customers complain of botched repairs, damaged vehicles and high prices.

Clyde of Silver Spring, MD June 17, 2009

This particular Saturday, 2nd Saturday in May, 2009. I went into the Sears Automotive Department to purchase chrome rims for my Ford F-150. The sales person was very polite while I was looking for a set of rims, once I located what I wanted, the sales person informed me that he had to take me to the warehouse and look for the rims. My wife and I walked a good 1/4 mile to the basement warehouse to view these rims. But, there was a couple of these rims available. I informed the saleman that I wanted to order a full set of these particular rims and would pay for them now. Also, I wanted a new set of tires that was buy 3 and get the fourth one free.

Now, this is where it got crazy, the salesman to me he could not sell me the rims or the tires until Monday, because he was not sure the rims would fit and he had to call the headquarters that sold the rims and ensure it was okay. Remember, these are SUV/Light Truck Rims. So, I ask him if that price would be the same Monday as it was today.(Saturday)He told me NO, that was not a going to happen, because the sale was ending today. (Which was a lie)

So, I was becoming very, very frustrated my now, my wife was livid, and expressed this statement" I can not believe we are begging these people to take our money and they are refusing to allow us to buy there product". I asked the salesman again to may sure I understood him, I can not buy these rims and tires today. (cash) And again he to me, If, I wanted the tires and rims I would have to come back Monday.

My wife and I left and when we got home we called the Customer Service Department and expressed out frustration concerning the incident at the Automotive Department. This gentlemen put us on hold like 5 minutes and then hung up. This went on for approximately 30 minutes, each time we called the Customer Service Department, the same thing happen. Finally, after 11 attempts of calling, the Rep informed us that shift change was going on, 4:00PM, okay, what now, well after being on hold this time for about 10 minutes, this women come on line and tell us, if you come in Monday, we'll order the rims and tires and if the manager give us the okay we will give you the sales price. The sale went through Sunday.

Mark of PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL June 11, 2009

Sears sold and installed the incorrect size of tire on my vehicle. At the time I questioned the size, but was told it was the right size. They are the experts, so I thought. Since then I have had three valve stem failures, tried to use my lifetime balance and rotation twice, only to be told it would not take long, 2 hours later my car had not been touched while other cars that came in after mine without appt. were worked on first. I left both times without any explanation. I guess they already had my money, so I was pushed to the bottom of the list.

Today my wife was diving my car and a tire blew out. I went to change the tire with the spare, original correct size, but could not drive car because it immediately made odd sounds. Called a mechanic who said do not drive the car because it is all wheel drive and it would damage the transmision. So I had the car towed by flatbed some 50+ miles to sears to replace the tire because of the road hazzard warranty that I have with Sears. I pointed out to the manager that the had sold me the wrong size tire. He looked it up and look at the sticker in the door jam and said "yes that is the wrong size tire" I asked what am iI supposed to do with future flats when I cannot use my correct size spare. He just said sorry about that, and that was all.

He also preceded to tell me to replace my tire I had to pay a prorated amount for the replacement tire, which had more than likely failed due to the faulty or cheap valve stems put on the rims. As I drve of the car now had a pull to the right which it didn't have before, funny after they had tried to sell me a alignment. Coincidence?

Then I relized they had replaced the tire and rotated them incorrrectly. They had put left side tires on the right side which you cannot do with radials for risk of a blow out. The actions of this Sears sevice center has put me and my family at risk with not a sigle care.

Craig of Koloa, HI June 8, 2009

I purchased a set of tires awhile back for a truck I dont use all of the time. One of the tires had seperated. I went to see if I could get prorated on the same tire. All three others are good with plenty of tread. I was told there was nothing that can be done for me. The salesman(Abs) turned and walked away. I went to Costco and tire wharehouse, Both said They would have replaced it. Unfortunitly they were out of the size I needed.

I am in customer relations myself, and felt I was treated poorly. I do have a lengthly sales history with your store, and probably will not return! I did contact the store manager, but never received a responce. Thought you should know!!

jennie of winthrop, IA May 20, 2009

I was purshing tires at sears I wanted a certain kind. that was remingtion sorry if spelled worng. well any way they said all they have is two I had told them that is all I need. Two of my tires were bad. Well anyway They refused to put them on my car. I could buy them but they refused to put them on. They had told it was becouse of the car being awd.

I have a 1999 subaru well they said it would damage something we said we did not care the car has alot of miles on it but I needed tires. But they refused to put tires on my car. It was not right. So we got the tires and had to get them put on myself. Which all we wanted was the tires put on. They had put just two on other car of ours that was awd not even a year ago so why not now??? makes no sense to me. I guess I thought it was kinda of rude of them to not put them on. They did not even look at the other tires. I don't know or understand why they would not put the tires on.

Alexx of albuquerque, NM May 9, 2009

took a tire in for flat repair, flat was repaired, tire pressure monitoring system, had been damaged, sears replaced the part with the wrong part, contacted store manager joe, joe led me to belive that tire monitor would be removed and i would be refunded, frank the so called service manager refused to do any of this.

Now im stuck with a damaged tire and have to spend 200 0n a new tire as well as another 80 on a new monitor system

Michele of Mission Viejo, CA April 21, 2009

I had purchased a battery for my 1996 Maxima in March, 2006 from Sears Tire and Auto in Laguna Hills, CA. The battery has been a problem ever since. This morning, the car would not start again! I had AAA come out to jump it. The tech told me the battery was bad and leaking acid and that I should take it back to Sears and get a replacement.

I get to Sears and was told by their tech, that nothing was wrong with the battery and that it was just condensation and not acid. I asked if the battery was still under warranty and they told me yes it was, but the replacement part of the warranty ran out 5 weeks ago. They said that they could give me a new battery prorated, but they weren't sure that the battery was bad as it was holding a charge. Then they said that they could change out the battery for 50 but there would be no warranty associated with that new battery. I told them that was not fair and not right.

Wes,the store manager, did not care. I told him to put my battery back in my car and I would have to go elsewhere. I had AAA come out and give me a new battery. (the have a new battery service program) It comes with a 6 year warranty and they come to my house if I have a problem. Also, the AAA tech showed me that Sears had actually sold me the wrong type battery for my car. My car is a 6 cylinder and I had a battery from Sears for a 4 cylinder. And to top it off the AAA tech showed me that the Sears battery only had 9% life left to it.

Colleen of Sag Harbor, NY March 29, 2009

Biggest complaint- Associate opened a credit card and I received it in the mail with my maiden name not given so it was done after the fact. I turned it down and still it was done. As well as adding a warranty that I did not okay, which I caught before he got to ring it through. I went in for 4 new tires after being inspected. I chose sears because of an AD for 1 free tire w/ the purchase of 4. When I asked about the deal in the AD. The associate looked it up in the computer as if he was unsure of the ad. He said that the tire offered in the AD was more than what he was suggesting. I okayed the passenger tires in place of my performance tires because they were also not in stock. He also told me passenger tires are better for the rainy weather. Performance were made to speed and turn at the same time.! ?

I asked what mileage my original Honda tires should have lasted. The answer 70,000. I was at 43,000! He told me after measuring the tread again (because he was not too convincing the first time when he said I COULD use new tires) You are at ##### and will not pass the ny state soon after. So I agreed to have them done @ 570. I aked for any other deals and was told he could not do anything about the Labor. Tires could be 10% off if I wanted to shop area shops. I told him that Mavis offered free alignment because I received an ad from them as well.

My car needed it so I was having that done also. He said that had to be charged. He also said that mavis did his tires and they BROKE OFF that they are HORRIBLE DONT GO THERE He answered questions with answers of questions that were not being asked. I asked for a breakdown he turned the screen to me and I saw that he was charging @50 to have a short limited warranty with roadside assistance, which I already have through HONDA. He questioned if it covered ABC like theirs did when I said I don't want the coverage I have it. I said NO again Thanks. Entering the show room (i came in through garage) I saw HUGE signs about the 1 free w/ 4 tire sale! I asked again, none of those tires will fit my car? I was told not in stock, you'll wait 5 days. I said that is okay. He said well they are all way more expensive.

Okay, maybe he did give good tires. Came back to pay and had to ask about opening an account credit card to save 10% over 50. my mom saved last week. She was with me. First he said you can have 6 months no finance charge or save 10%. I again asked what about 10 %. He said yeah or no finance charge for 6 months. I said I'll take the 10%. He took all of my info and then said, no you can only save 10. I said, Forget it, I' ll pay from my account. After all that I still received a credit card from him. I called up found out he issued it and cancelled it. He checked no on returning the tires, when he never asked. Since they were way under due it should have been asked. My dad had his tire change bill and was not charged for labor. He called and asked if they charged for labor answer NO. He asked why the charge on my bill. answer no way to put alignment on but to label it as labor.

Martin of Alhambra, CA March 27, 2009

I rencently bought four tires from Sears on 03/12/09 and I payed a total of 720.77 . I had to return to Sears on 03/21/09 because the tire from the left side began to make a horrible noise when I would stop or make a left/right turn. After my vehicle was inspected by Sears, they indicated that the ball joints from the front left and front right were extremely damaged. They gave me an estimate of about 650.00. I asked them why they did not indicate that the ball joints were damaged when they first placed and aligned the tires on my vehicle. They apologized for not letting me know ahead of time of the problem, but advised me that the problem with the ball joints was not their fault.

I accepted to have theleft side of my vehicle fixed because I only had enough money to fix one side. I figured that the total price should only be half of the original estimate of 650.00 which would be 325.00. The manager then told me the full price would be 405.00, which was way over the initial estimate. I had to accept and pay 405.00 because during that time I did not have a second alternative. On 03/25/09, I found a place that agreed to fix my right side of the vehicle (it should be noted that the problems and the labor needed to complete the right side of the vehicle were the same as the left ). I payed a total of 150.00 to fix the ball joints on my right side. Im explaining my story because Im hoping to receive some type of help because I feel that I was a victim of abuse from Sears.

SEARS charged me 255.00 more than what my mechanic charged me to do the same type of labor and job.

Matthew of Centerville, MA March 26, 2009

I had a flat tire. One of 4 that I purchased at Sears Automotive in 2006. I changed the tire myself and went to the Sears Automotive where I purchased the tires. I walked in the store, there were no other customers. When asked how long the service would take to fix the flat and put the spare back,John checked out in the garage. He said no one was ahead of me and they would bring the car right in. It would be less than an hour.

It was now 4:30pm. I though fine, I'll shop and come back. I came back at 5:25 only to find they hadn't even started on the repair. After another hour of waiting, and several just 5 more minutes, I went back into the garage myself to see what was going on. Two guys were leaning on my car, and a third was talking to them. I asked what was going on, they all looked at me, said nothing and then 2 of them walked away. The one left said he didn't know how to put the spare back in the car. Frustrated, I told them to throw it in the back and I would put it on when I got home. I never got an apology or explaination from the manager for the delay.

No real consequences. Just frustration on my part, and very poor customer service on theirs. If they had just been honest with me, I would have been much happier. Not a big Sears fan right now.

Harry of Sunnyvale, CA March 26, 2009

My wife is always careful about locking her car doors. She took her car to Sears for new tires, and when she went to pick up her car, the doors were unlocked and the GPS she keeps in the glove compartment was stolen.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Back to the top |