Please let me start at the beginning with all this, as with most ripoffs it is a long story.
I have a 2004 VW Golf R32, this is a performance vehicle and is equipped with a part-time all-wheel drive system. Recently, less than 6 months ago, I came into Dick Hannah Volkswagen Service for an alignment check because I had noticed it was pulling to the right.
They looked at it, I paid about 200 bucks for that correction. As I drive the vehicle back home, I notice the same pull is there. Thinking maybe something else was wrong I call the next day and ask them to look at it and see whats going on.
I have been working exclusively with Phi in Green Team. Ryan is Green Team Service Manager. Ryan call me up later that day and told me a grim situation. My tires, due to bad alignment for a period of time, had improper wear on them and was causing the pull to the right. Multiplying against this problem was the all-wheel drive system, which required if I buy one or two tires, I have to buy all four new tires.
So I buy new tires and they install tham after ordering them in no time. After I get the new tires, I notice still some alignment issues, I simply think maybe it has to do with tire pressure or just a minor overlook, and bring the R32 back in immidiately.
At this point is where I began to get agitated, and I request a FREE alignment check because I just bought four new tires after having my alignment checked the first time, and they really had to do was look at the tires. I had to speak with Ryan himself for Dick Hannah VW to grant my request, this is after being told no and requesting to speak with Ryan.
OK So that is the ground work of the problem.
All of the above happened smoothly, minus having to demand a manager to step in, as in I wasnt offered to speak with Ryan, for the free alignment.
So two months ago, four months or so after new tires, I am noticing my rear right tire is continuously losing air over a 2 week period. I bring it into Dick Hannah VW and I am told that I ran over a screw and they will fix it, and it is a permanent fix. I was told this twice by Phi.
I pay for the service, less than $30, and drive away.
Just yesterday, 2/2, less than 2 months from the time of the repair, a completely separate mechanical problem landed my vehicle in a shop in Eugene Oregon, where I have since moved as of December 11th.
While in the shop, the mechanic / owner sees the condition of my repaired tire and is aghast that I am driving on it. He states it could blow anytime and is extremely unsafe to drive and really really wants it to be looked at by a tire shop.
I oblige because I got a good reference on the mechanic that looked at it, and what could it hurt? I bring my R32 to a tire shop here in Eugene. The technicians look over the tire and explain to me that I will need to buy a new tire. My jaw drops. I just bought these tires, and was told that the one in question was permanently repaired. I get a manager involved when they tell me I can use a loaner tire, because of the all-wheel drive this could enter into the vicous circle with alignments and new tires all over again.
While waiting I contact Dick Hannah VW and explain my situation to Toni who answered for service. She said my manager is Ryan and he is busy, she confirms a call back number and I end the call.
While still waiting and 20 minutes later I call Dick Hannah again and speak with Melissa, she transfers me to Ryan. I explain my situation to Ryan who claimed to remember me. He states that it is not a permanent fix, and never would have been and should not have been told to me that it is. I do not demand any action on Dick Hannah's part and simply as for advice. Ryan states I should buy one tire and pay to have the tread shaved down to match my existing tires.
The manager explains that whoever performed the original repairs on the tire were not according to the Rubber Manufucturer Association (RMA) standards, the manager informs me this is automotive industry-wide association and is standardized with anyone who works on a car. That a plug was used, however you are supposed to use a patch AND plug.
To continue with some advice he recommended demanding that Dick Hannah pay for the tire and tread shaving under threat of legal action.
That was yesterday, today I write this report in hopes that it will gain the attention of the right people at Dick Hannah today when I call and inform them of this posting. On top of that before writing this report I researched the RMA and found this:
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/us/en/generaltire/automobile/themes/generaluniversity/drivers_ed/tire_repair_en. Pdf
A PDF file containing the guidelines per RMA guidelines for tire repair among other things. Most interesting thing of note is the second page that states the following:
"NEVER use only a plug or NEVER use only a patch to repair a puncture. The injury must be completely filled with a suitable vulcanizing material or rubber stem and a patch must be applied to the inner liner to prevent air loss."
This is when I decided to write the report and contact the GM of Dick Hannah VW and direct his attention to my posting and what he will do about it.
Thank you for reading and please, reply with any service follies you have experienced with Dick Hannah VW as well.
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