This report is intended to alert consumers of poor service I received that could have caused major damage to my auto.
Last year, about this time, I went to Walmart with the wife to pick up a few items. Upon arriving I noticed the service writer in front of the tire and auto center positioned to accept customers in the entrance to the auto center, so I quickly decided to get my oil changed since 3000 miles was coming up since my last one. I parked my car at the entrance and was assured that it would take only 30-45 mins to complete the oil change, lube and filter.
We went through the auto dept into the store and started shopping. After about 50-55 mins we returned to the auto dept to find out car still sitting where I had parked it. I patiently waited another 15 mins before I started to lose my temper. I started making comments to other customers, loud enough for the store personnel to hear, getting louder and more hostile every time another 10 mins passed. Finally I directly complained to the employee that looked to be in authority. He finally went into the shop area and spoke to one of the service people after we were aproaching an hour and 45 mins. The car was finally moved into the changing area and after another 10 mins my service order and keys were brought into the service dept. The manager motioned to me and when I got to the register to pay my bill he proudly gave me the keys and stated "It's on the house" which I thought was the least he could do.
Three months later I went to another company to repeat the process. The service writer came in the waiting area and told me to come into the shop as I had to see something.
When I got to the car up in the air he pointed to the drain plug area and the empty pan stating that I had absolutely no oil in my crankcase. He checked for any type of leak or problem but could find no indication that any oil had leaked anywhere underneath the car. He and I were amazed that no apparrent damage had been done to the engine when I realized that I had used both Dura-lube and another similar additive during previous oil changes. To our amazement the stuff must've worked as well as it had on the TV ads.
I have always wondered if I had sustained damage to my engine, how much of a legal snake pit would I have had to go through to be made whole again.
So the moral to this story is: Never assume that because it was free, it was good and It is always better to be safe and check behind the repairman to be sure the work was done properly.
PULL THAT STICK AND LOOK YOUR NEXT OIL CHANGE!
Thanks for listening!
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