A company called thesmartcircle.com was selling something called "The Smart Circle Card" by going door-to-door through my neighborhood. For $29.99, a person could buy a "maintenance package" for any car or light truck.
This plan was serviceable through Firestone Complete Auto Care Centers in the Western Pennsylvania/Eastern Ohio-area, down through parts of West Virginia and Kentucky.
The package was broken into four visits and the holder was entitled to four *FREE* oil changes, plus various other services during each visit - all but two were clearly marked *FREE* on the leaflet. The ones not marked free were for 15% discount on service performed during that particular visit.
Since my daughter attends college out of town, I thought this would be a good thing for her to keep up with regular maintenance, since she drives a great deal, yet doesn't know the first thing about the mechanical operation of any type of vehicle.
She's home for the summer now and thought she'd have some routine stuff done. She reported to the local Firestone center for the first of what she thought were to be four free oil changes, plus free inspection of bulbs of all exterior lights and a free inspection from bumper-to-bumper (to include a check of all belts, hoses, fluid levels, filters, brakes and tire wear).
Here's what they charged her:
$9 for labor (oil change)
$2.50 for oil disposal
$10 for five quarts of synthetic oil
$3.99 for the filter
$6.40 for a light bulb that illuminates the license plate
$24.04 labor (to install the bulb)
$21.87 for a socket for this same light device
$20 labor to install the socket
Let me pause here to state that I checked with the parts department of the dealership that sold my daughter her car (2000 Ford Focuse SE) and they told me that the license plate light is sold as an assembly - bulb and socket together (lens is separate) for $7.25!
Now, here's what was "recommended" by Firestone, but refused by my daughter since she couldn't afford to cover the cost:
$119.99 Transmission fluid flush (broken down into $30 for fluid, $70 for labor and $19.99 for "Ever-wear transmission flush and treatment.")
$89.99 for Collant Flush with new anti-Freeze (broken down as: $16.99 for coolant flush & stop leak, $24 for two gallons of coolant
$49 for labor)
$59.99 Engine Tuneup for four cylinder (broken down as: $40.03 labor, $19.96 for four new platinum sparkplugs)
$132.50 for Replacement of ignition wires (broken down as: $81.50 for "lifetime" wires, $51 for labor)
$89.99 for fuel system tuneup (broken down as: $39.99 for fuel system cleaner, $50 for labor)
Now, *ANYONE* who'd try to hoodwink someone is low-down and wicked where I come from. To try to swindle a young girl is lower than low, in *MY* book! Here's a warning to all - learn to do your own repairs - as best you can or at least ask around to find someone trust-worthy in your area. Try asking your state police officers for their recommendation. They *KNOW* who is honest and who isn't. They chase after frauds all day long!
You people at Firestone - I hope you freakin' *DIE*, you connivving b*!
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