Warning !!!!
If everyone out there doesnt already know this Ill replay.
Ive lived in BCS for over twenty years and in that time I have heard from numerous friends and clients how utterly dishonest the Firestone shop on Texas Avenue is.
Recently my brother came to visit and went over to get his tires rotated before the trip home.
The mechanic working on his car told my brother that one of his front struts was shot and needed to be replaced and that it would be 800.00. He went on to tell my brother that if he didnt have it done the struts could break and come up through the hood of the car.
Luckily my brother was more than suspicious at this diagnosis and told the mechanic that it would be checked when he returned home.
When he arrived back at my house he noticed that the tires had not been rotated, He went back and complained to the shop manager.
The shop manager chewed out the mechanic in a show of bravado and had the tires rotated.
When my brother arrived back home he took his car to his private mechanic and was told that the strut was in like new condition, it did not need changing and his car was in great condition!
I believe its disgraceful behavior of the employees at Firestone that equals to me out and out thievery!
There is no telling how many unsuspecting and trusting people that this rip off shop has blatantly stolen from.
The mechanic at the very least should be fired.
Its this kind of under handed, sloppy, and unethical behavior that eventually ruins a business.
I believe Firestone has been clinging on way past its expiration date of a good business!

Your title suggest that there are honest thieves?

Which Firestone on Texas? There's one in Bryan and one in College Station.

Report this to the BBB.

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Report this to the BBB.

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Sounds bad definitely. I will say that I've dealt with them on 3 different occasions and never had a problem. I'm fairly knowledgeable on normal auto maintenance and they've never pushed anything on me.

The upsell of unnecessary goods & services. Had something similar happen at the CS Firestone 15 years ago. Filed a complaint with the manager and regional office. Never been back, and don't intend to ever go back.

I have not tried FS but two years ago I went to GY to get oil change (paid more for synthetic oil) and tire rotation. Before I left the lot with my car, I checked and noticed that they did not rotate my tires since I marked them prior to going there in case of an honest mistake. I told the man at the front desk about that. He went to talk to the mechanics and came out insisting that they did rotate the tires. With that response, I will never have them touch my car again. I also had to get another oil change and tire rotation elsewhere within a month since I cannot tell if they changed the oil or not. My guess was they just use the regular engine oil.

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Report this to the BBB.

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Why? They have no enforcement authority or for that matter, any authority to do anything.

Because people read BBB reviews.

Personally, I try to stick with the dealer for maintenance and car work. You pay a bit more, but it's usually worth it in my experience.

If the car is over 5 years old, I could see trying to save some money by going to an independent mechanic.

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Why? They have no enforcement authority or for that matter, any authority to do anything.

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Do a little research and you'll see the BBB can mediate complaints, change the business' rating, report complaints to the media. In addition to reporting complaints on their website, the BBB can post your issue on their Facebook page, etc. So actually, they can have considerable influence on a business and those who are searching for a business.

Calling employees of a tire shop "mechanics".

Not all mechanics are good mechanics.

I seem to encounter the most incompetence at dealerships, my worst experience being with a Nissan Dealership (not local). I don't even consider a Nissan when vehicle searching because of it.

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Personally, I try to stick with the dealer for maintenance and car work. You pay a bit more, but it's usually worth it in my experience.

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Except for Garland Shelton, I've had the absolute worse experience with that dealership. To the extent that while our vehicles still had the "free" service we drove to Houston for the work.

Now that we're past the free service Bill at The Bug Clinic services our two watercooled VWs.

Dealers have highly trained mechanics specializing in their models, and are generally concerned about their reputation since a bad rep for the service department may negatively impact new car sales.

In general, I stick with the dealer. But, I also drive newer cars and trade in every three years or so. I can see where someone might want to save a buck or two and go to an independent for maintenance and repairs.

You're best served finding a trustworthy, independent mechanic for car repairs in this town. There are a few around here. Going to a national chain like those mentioned above is begging for bad things to happen to you. Dealerships can be hit and miss; just make sure you have a good warranty.

Good mechanics open their own shops -- and stay in business because of their good name. Bad/crooked mechanics work at chains. Dealerships are somewhere in the middle. I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's been my experience.

[This message has been edited by Look Out Below (edited 7/20/2014 7:10p).]

Sevchecks for 20 years and six vehicles. Can not go wrong.

Been a local Firestone customer for many years -- no complaints. Neither the cheapest nor the most expensive car repair outlet, but I have always felt I was treated fairly. The reason I don't go to dealerships after the warranty expires is the ridiculous mark-up on service.

Had quite a few minor repairs done at the CS Firestone. On several occasions they referred me to other places in town that could do it faster or cheaper. Positive for me. I would suggest you talk with Mike if you have any issues. He is the manager and a straight shooter.

I used them this past fall for brakes and rotors and had no complaints.

I've used both Firestone locations in town at various times, and I've only ever had one issue with a defective seal. It was replaced promptly and at no additional cost to me. They do good work and are honest in my experience...however there are a lot of folks on the Automotive board ready to crucify anyone that mentions a positive experience there...some people have just made up their minds to be negative.

Personally don't trust Firestone in college station never been to Bryan location

Most of the recommended shops in town are far worse about upselling, and fixing problems that don't exist. Or charging for oil changes that are not performed and have been caught twice.



[This message has been edited by aggiepaintrain (edited 7/22/2014 11:21a).]

I quit buying Firestone tires when I had tread separation issues on two separate occasions 30 years ago. And I wouldn't trust any chain mechanic to touch one of my vehicles, much less work on them.

I go to the stealership, at least they have nice couches, free water, a shuttle, and the price is the same ...

Another drive-by complaint. The OP hasn't even come back to state which location it was.

Never trust a salesman. They have a vested interest in selling you something, irrespective of your needs.

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The OP hasn't even come back to state which location it was.

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CS Firestone is packed. Everyday. Must be doing something right.

Maybe the Buick Beggar will go there for a tire rotation and ask them for gas money. It's a win-win.

Go to Sevcik's on the corner of Longmire and 2818.

Family run business that has been treating people right for 30 years.

Mark and Pat are truly the best!

go to the dealership for maintenance if you bought your car at that same dealership. They will take care of you