This is a complaint against Tire Kingdom of Asheville, N.C. Of taking unfair advantage over a couple of female friends, that have very little knowledge about car repairs. On 5-06-09 they took there car to tire kingdom here in asheville to have some work done on it. Brake work and a serpentine belt were replaced on the car. This serpentine belt helps run the alternator, power steering pump, water pump and cooling fan. Mileage on car at that time 128,111. On 9-19-09, after a short vacation to Florida, they were coming back to asheville down I-26, when they experienced car problems. They pulled over onto the shoulder of the highway - got out and raised the cars hood to see what went wrong. A passing motorist as well as a highway patrolman stoped to help them. From the inspection under the hood of the car, they saw that the serpentine belt had come loose as to where the motorist could remove it by his hand. It was not broken and still in one piece. Without the use of this belt, they had no power steering and the car heated up. A tow truck was called and the car was taken back to tire kingdom for what they thought would be warranty work. (sat. Evening 8pm - place closed until mon. Morning.) On monday morning, my friends got with tire kingdom to let them know what happened to the car. They told them that they lost use of the power steering and the heat light came on the dash. The serpentine belt is all that had to be replaced under there warranty. But they saw the opportunity to take quick advantage of them by saying that you will need a new water pump, a power steering pump pulley and a complete radiator flush at an estimated cost of $645.00. Needless to say, they were helpless in not knowing what to do. What was to be warranty work, shall now cost them to get there car back. They gave consent to have the car repaired - as they do need there car. Used parts were returned and i took them to other mechanics in the area to have them check out these used parts to see if they really needed to be replaced, and all 5 places i went to, said no. No breakage and no cracks in these parts. This is deceptive business practice on there part to dupe people and take advantage of them. It is places like this that should be fined or shut down. PLEASE do not go to a tire kingdom unless you really check them out and there quality of work. Real scammers. (mileage when taken back 129,283 -128,111 = 1172 miles)
0 comments