I trusted Sears auto center with my Jeep. I first went in for general maitenence and tires. Was pleased with friendly service so I went back when I noticed antifreeze leakage. They told me I needed a new radiator so I agreed. Days after they installed a new radiator my Jeep over heated and busted while driving 85 miles an hour on the freeway. This caused my engine to blow. I now need a new engine and they will only reimburse me for the money I spent for service. BEWARE OF ALL SEARS AUTO CENTERS!!! They apparently do not invest in proper training of thier techs!!

I went into the Sears Auto center at Southpark Mall on 9/28/08 and dropped my car off at 10:30AM. I wanted two new tires placed on the front of the car and one stud replaced on the right front rotor. The car was finished 2PM, keep in mind when I walked out in the shop once to check on the car the employee asked me did I know how the brake pads went back into the brake assembly. I paid and went to leave the parking lot and heard a noise from the right front tire like rubbing metal. So I turned around and drove the car back into the service center and explained the issue. The employee that previously worked on my car pulled the left front tire off and while trying to remove the right front tire the lug nut for the new stud he just replaced would not come off. He stated that it could have been the incorrect lug nut. He had to cut the lug nut off and reinstall a whole new stud on the rotor once again which caused him to have to drive to pick up another one which I waited for once again. After the new stud was replaced and the new tires placed back on the front of the car I went to leave and drive home once again. I live several miles from the sears auto center and got about half way there and the car felt like something was holding it back a little. I pulled into my driveway and smelled burning brakes. I noticed the right front tire was smoking and I touched one of the lug nuts with my thumb and it caused a blister immeadiatly from the heat. I placed a jack under the car and tried to spin that wheel and it would not turn. I called Sears and they said to call a tow truck to bring the car back to the shop. I called a tow truck (around 5 PM) and they took the car back to the shop. Sears once again looked at my car. My brakes pad were damaged due to the heat, my CV boot was ripped (which wasnt before) and the heat warped my rotor to the point where it needed replacing because the right front wheel still would not spin. I called a ride to take me home and I arrived home at 7:30PM that evening. I called the next day to speak with the manager and asked for an update. he told me he would have a class 3 tech look at the car but doubted the CV boot could have been ripped just by putting tires on the car. I asked for a update before any parts were put on and I had concern about the axle since that side got so hot while driving home. I called 5 times between 11AM and 12PM on 9/29/08 and no one answered the phone at sears. I am still waiting to see what the resolution is but they seem unwilling to repair all of the damage they caused. I was told on 9/29/08 at 8AM that I would have an update and it is now 12:49PM and I have again for an hour and no one is picking up the phone.

I bought a set of new tires from a mail order company. I needed to have the tires mounted and balanced, so I took the vehicle to Sears Automotive. After I signed the paper work, I left and came back about 1.5 hours later to pick up my car. Before I left the packing lot, I inspected all the four tires and wheels to make sure they were installed properly. I discovered that all four of my alloy wheels are scratched all around the lug holes. Also the wheels were gouged in the inner edge of the rim. The pattern were uniform and about 2-3 inches long. In addition, there were several places where the paint was peeling off. I told one of the technician and took some pictures. The technician told me that he would notified the Manager to call me the next day, so I left. The next day, no phone call, I called the store again and was told that the Manager had just left. He promised me that the Manager will call me tomorrow.

Finally the next day the Manager (Jay) called and told me to bring my car there. He inspected the wheels and told me that their machine didn't cause the damages. He admitted that the scratches around the lug holes were caused by his technician as the marks were obvious that they were freshly done. He kept telling me that the damages could be caused by hitting the curb. I told him that I would have damage the tire wall first before it could damage the inner edge of the rim. In addition the pattern were uniform. How can you get a uniform pattern by hitting the curb? He was very argumentative and kept pointing out that their machine would not do such damages. I asked him, how about a human error? He said yes, human error is possible, but still did not want to admit. No apology whatsoever even though he admitted that the scratches around the lug holes were caused by his technician. He told me that all he could do was offering me a free oil change... ARE YOU KIDDING ME? These wheels are OEM 17 inches Mercedes Benz wheels that I purchased for $2000 a set a few years ago. I didn't ask him for a set of brand new wheels, but I asked him to have the wheels repaired.

To cut the story short, he was only willing to offer to waive half of the installation fee ($47) or sell me a set of new wheels "at cost." He showed me a set of 17" cheap wheels for $380. He said that he could sell them to me for $340. What a joke, Sears offers 10% discount on all items from time to time on many major holidays and on customer appreciation day,no coupon needed...certainly he was not selling at cost! This guy is like a car salesman from hell. I told him that I did not feel valued as a customer. He said that I did not even purchased the tires from them, so it did not matter. Obviously this guy is not a customer oriented person. I'm not sure why he can be a Manager at a major company such as Sears. By the way, this was my first experience with Sears auto center and certainly be the LAST! I told him that I didn't think his offer was fair and asked him what was the next step. He said that even if I filed a complaint to the corporate office, they would go to him and I didn't have a case because they would listen to him. SEARS needs to start listening to their customers rather than to their employees. As a customer, I feel "trapped" and don't have any choice but to take the lousy $47. This is the WORST customer experience ever. I will certainly spread the words around to all people I know so they won't make the same mistake I did. For those who read this post... STAY AWAY from Sears auto center especially the one in Clackamas, OR!