Repair/Service: an "attempted" alignment

Hourly Rate: $00

Total Cost: $00

My, how times have changed. I've gone to Strickland Muffler since 1983, because they were regarded (by mechanics) as doing the best alignments. After moving out of state and recently returning. I drove from Raleigh to Louisburg to have my car done. There were now new people working there. (I assumed they were the owners sons) I arrived at 8AM, and the manager said that his alignment man wasn't there yet. He arrived 45 minutes late. He told me that I needed tie rods and recommended that I get new tires first. He offered to sell me a set. I said that I preferred to get my tires at Sam's Club. He told me to come back afterwards, and he would do my alignment. I returned at 11:00AM and he's on the computer, and said "I can't get you now, we're about to go to lunch". I said "OK, what time should I return?". He said "at 1:30 PM". I thought OK? .... I can find something to do until then. Then, just as I was pulling out of the driveway, he came up to my car and says "look, it's hot today... and I don't like working on hot days like this ..... can you come back in the morning?" I said "fine!?...I'll come back tomorrow". When I arrived early the next morning, the manager (who witnessed everything) saw me and went into the office. After about 10 minutes, I go into the office to see what's taking so long, only to find both of them on their computers. The other mechanic looks up at me and said "can I help you?". I said "I've come back for the alignment". He gets a look on his face and says OK. He THEN orders the parts needed. The parts arrived 20 minutes later, he put my car on the lift, then dropped it back down and backed my car out onto the street. He proceeds to walk past me (never so much as turning his head in my direction) saying "you need to find somewhere else to get your alignment.... I don't have the right parts and we can't do that type of alignment here". WHAT !!! I was beyond ticked! I still remember the original owner, he was a stand up guy. These people couldn't possibly be his sons. Now that I think about it, they did me a favor ..... anyone who so blatantly mistreats a customer couldn't possibly do a good job. Anyone who uses this place is NUTS!

by mike125 on July 14, 2011