Sears Auto Center

Understaffed. Don’t answer the phone in automotive; get routed to a central phone bank. They schedule appointments but told me they were fully booked for next two days.

I really need to start looking at Unilocal!reviews before I go places. The employees here, while friendly and nice, are incredibly ssssllllooooowwww. Something akin to molasses on a frigid winter day.
I scheduled an appointment for 1 pm on Tuesday to have a new battery installed in my car. I arrived a few minutes early, got the paperwork out of the way, and I’m told that I’ll receive a text message when my car is ready. I’m also told it should take about an hour, maybe an hour and a half at the most. This is at 1:10 PM. Went for lunch and some shopping with my wife to kill the time, and arrived back at Sears just before 2:30 pm figuring my car should be ready, or at least very nearly so.
Looking through the window at my car, I see it sitting unattended, hood up, with a battery on the floor nearby, but no one doing anything. All told I waited and watched other cars being sporadically worked on for another 90 minutes before someone finally decided to spend the 10 minutes it required to install my new battery. Then, when it’s time to pay, the cashier tried to overcharge me by more than $ 50, claiming that the battery I was supposed to get was out of stock, and that a more expensive battery had been installed in my car without my consent. Upon closer inspection, and with help from another cashier, I’m charged the correct amount, and it’s determined that the correct, lower priced battery had actually been installed.
All told, a job that I was quoted as taking between an hour to an hour and a half to complete, was completed in three hours, even though it really only took ten minutes of work. I don’t know if it was due to incompetence, being understaffed, or some combination of the two, but Sears Auto needs to get their act together. I, for one, will most likely not be returning in the future, and will definitely advise family and friends to avoid coming here as well.

I’m here to pick up my car I left 2 hours ago with a «appointment»…use that term loosely. When I got here to drop off my car there was 4 people in front of me with 1 person helping. Now I’m here at 12 noon to pick up my car, I’m waiting 20 minutes in line and there’s still 10 people in front of me… why? Because there is still only 1 person helping. People are leaving the line because of the wait. Ridiculous.
I received a text notification my car was ready at 1142am, I live down the street. Walked over and waited over an hour for my car that was sitting 20ft away from me. I left at 12:50pm. I can sympathize with the fact that they were training someone but there really is no logical or acceptable excuse for this customer service. I’m not elderly but god forbid I was, or pregnant… an hour of standing! The employees are very nice and helpful when they attend to you. I attribute this issue to management. They appear to be doing the best they can with what they are given. Hire more employees!

Really good service. Timimg wise? well is complicated because they always crazy busy especially weekends. I have issues in the past but the new Manager, Elvis Lazzarini was very understanding, caring and professional he solve my problem in less than a minute. Great costumer service and great Management. I will recomend anytime.

First, I want to note that this location is literally packed every single time I go. It is incredible how much business they get. This is part of the reason I felt they were trustworthy. I live within a quarter mile, so it’s also incredibly convenient for me to leave my car with them.
I brought my 2010 Chevy into Sears because the brakes were grinding. Left the car overnight and they called me the next morning around 9am to tell me what needed to be done. Everything. They said everything, literally everything, that has to do with the brakes needed replaced, not repaired, replaced (front and back brakes and fluids, etc). The car only had 46,400 miles, so I found that a bit hard to believe. However, considering I drive over 50 miles a day and brake more than I hit the gas pedal, I thought I should trust them. So I gave the go ahead to $ 920. An hour later, the manager calls to tell me he gave the wrong cost and it was actually $ 1200! Needless to say, I was getting pretty upset but at this point they had already started work on my car. Oh and they told me my car would be ready in 2 hours, which would be noon. So after not getting a call by 12:30, I took a walk up there and my car was still on the rack with the tires off and no brakes put on yet! So they told me another 2 hours. By 4, I finally got a call to pick the car up. It seemed a bit ridiculous that they should take literally 9 hours to put brakes on but like I said earlier, this place is always packed with cars.
Then I got new tires put on at Sam’s ($ 200 cheaper than having Sears do the tires) and brought it back to Sears for the alignment, which was a somewhat better experience. Since they had previously told me I needed new tires and alignment, they didn’t need to reinspect the car like another shop would have (only reason I brought it back to them). They charged $ 89.99, which is pretty standard.
Overall, I’m being generous giving the shop 3 stars. Because of cost and how freaking hard it is to get your car serviced, this isn’t a great option if you can go elsewhere. I just have to trust that my brakes were really that terrible.

I was weary of bringing my car here but overall it was a pretty good experience. Most of the other reviews here are about long wait times so perhaps that is why my review will be slightly different.
They have a parking lot and are tucked away behind the huge Sears semi next door to the Jewel. The interior is like any other auto shop. Walk in and find help from anyone of the workers standing behind the service desks. After I told them what I was looking for they asked me to bring the car in through the northwest entrance. This is kind of around the back and you simply bring your car in as you are directed by signs and then the mechanic.
I live nearby so I was able to go home and have them call me to discuss the suggested repairs. They were very clear and professional, providing advice and pricing for all repairs. Over the phone I asked them to complete certain repairs and to leave others for a later time. I was fine with leaving the car overnight as it was already late in the evening but they said they would call me if they finished it that night. They did finish it and I came back just before closing. Again, they explained the work they did and I was out and on my way.

Sears had the best price for the mid-​level tires I was looking for my whip. I ordered them over the phone and they shipped directly to the Chicago store from the manufacturer.
I didn’t receive a call from their shop after a week so I called to follow up. Sure enough the tires had arrived at their location but no one had reached out. I setup an installation appointment. After a few reschedules on my behalf my tires were installed and balanced, or so I thought.
After a 500 mile round trip the following weekend I noticed my car was pulling a bit to the left. I didn’t have this problem with my previous set of snow tires so I took my car back to their shop to correct the issue. I came back in a couple weeks later on a Sunday to see what the deal was. I needed a front end alignment, which was noted on the report after the install, but the service writer failed to mention this suggestion or give me a print out of the alignment report.
Alignment was done and I was on my way in about 30 minutes. Slightly inconvenienced but problem solved. They gave me a 25% discount on the alignment and it came to about $ 65. This ensures the new tires will wear properly and includes a 6-​month warranty on the service. This means you can come back in within the next 6-​months and have your vehicle re-​aligned if needed and is encouraged. Not a bad deal for the money.
Overall the team at Sears did a good job. They lacked attention to detail and were more focused on getting out the door at closing time rather than providing the best service. I can’t really blame them but after spending nearly $ 600 I’d expect better service. Free tire balance and mounting when you purchase tires through Sears. So if you have snow tires you need to swap out each year this can save you some money.
Free checks on all services before you have to cough up any cash so I’d recommend a diagnostic report before moving ahead with any services. Just be on the ball and ask questions. Despite all the poor reviews they exceeded my expectations.

WARNING STAY AWAY! i will never do business with Sears again! 1^st time took 3 hours to install, balance and align vehicle 2^nd time 4 hours just for an alignment and they didnt even do it right so i had to come back a 3^rd time and wait 3 more hours. The employees here fuckin stink and need to be slammed on their faces. STAY AWAY I WARNED YOU!

Never again, for life! Last couple of times I went there I waited 3 Hours for an oil change! Complained to the manger and he said he was short handed. That was his excuse last time. I told him i saw 3 mechanics leave at 3pm. He said that was their schedule. Are you kidding me?! Your the manger and your letting 3 mechanics leave when there are 12 people waiting in the waiting area and more coming in… I say get a new manager he doesn’t know what he’s doing. I went somewhere else and paid a little more to a prvt place and I was don in 30 mins!!! Sal took my order at Sears and told me 40 mins which turned into 3 hrs. My car sat there while other cars were taken care of first, The manager said said didn’t leave the invoice on my car so the mechanics ignored my car. This happened 4 times. Never go here again!

This is the worst place I’ve ever been too. I didn’t check reviews before I went here and damn sure I should have. Come in to get a set of 4 new tires for my car I talked to Sal and he worked me in on a Saturday. Waited 3.5 hours to get my tires set and on the way, people here don’t work as a team and are off talking each other more than working. You get 1 guy working for his job but others not.
After my 3.5 hours of getting my tires set I was able to leave and you’d imagine you get what your paying for. I bought Michelin Defender tires and realized the next morning while looking for the logo on my tires that my $ 150/​each tire was the cheapest brand tires Sears had available ($ 89). I had to get customer service on the line to even rectify the situation, Sal and the auto shop will keep you on hold and never pick up the phone. After getting them on the phone Sal tried apologizing and said he noticed the tires later that day, so you didn’t end up trying to right your wrong and not call me? To try and shorten this up I had to go back spend another hour and half out of my day to return to this store and not receive and compensation for their wrongdoings. Please avoid this place If you can, or at least make sure you get what your paying for so you don’t get swindled!

I worked with Jarvis starting yesterday to get quotes on 4 new tires. He was upbeat and very knowledgeable! I got a quote and went today. They were super busy, but I work in customer service situation evryday where it is busy on the weekends, so I understood that Sundays are not the best days to get something like any kind of car repair. Make a long story short, the tire we wanted to keep for a spare was not the one put back on the back of the Jeep… my husband pointed this out to Jarvis, the one mechanic told us it would be a wait, but Jarvis stepped in and made it happen in 10 minutes! Job well done and I wish there were more people like Jarvis in the service industry!

Worse than the dmv! I have a battery in my hand in line with only 3 people in front of me. Should be quick right? It’s been 30 minutes and only one person has been taken care of. They did at least have the battery for my car. I’m writing this from the line on my phone. I’m not going to blame the guys at the desk so much, this has poor management and lack of overall stricture. I haven’t taken a single step during the writing process of this review. I’m getting the feeling that Sears has given up and are just waiting to die like Montgomery Ward or Venture.

This place sucks. Every time I come here it takes forever. TWO HOURS FOR A BATTERY TEST. I am done with sears. Its place is terrible.

The customer service guy was efficient and quick. Car was done when they said it would be done. The price was average.

I’ve only been going here for oil changes for a couple of years. The best time to go is obviously on weekdays at 8:00am when they first open. I’m always in and out of the place in 60 minutes or less for oil changes. Staff is friendly, esp. Jarvis Evans! They used to be pushy; now as a regular they know what I’m there for and they don’t push any extra services on me anymore.
I did try to get my oil change on a Saturday afternoon one time. and that was a big no-​no. I waited about two hours for an oil change, but that’s what I expected anyways.

Terrible service. Thinking of buying something be prepared to wait a very very long time just to check out. Made a couple of purchases from here a few times avg waiting time to check out was more than 30min. Employees seem to be preoccupied talking to one another and theres usually only one person at the registers.

Be prepared to wait. The service is friendly but v e r y slow. My experience here so far left a lot of room for improvement. I bought two tires here on Saturday, they were special order and set to be in on Monday. Noon time Monday rolls around and I hadn’t heard anything so I called them. Turns out that the tires had been there since Sunday. I waited two hours to get the tires put on, no big deal. However, after I left that eve I noticed my new tire wasn’t holding pressure. Back to Sears the next morning to wait another 2.5 hours. Yay!

What a train wreck! I bought my tires on
and wanted Sears to install, balance the tires and give the car an alignment. Before going I wanted to setup an appointment, I had to call the store about 15 times before someone answered the phone. (I should have stopped there!) I got through and set up an appointment for Saturday morning at 8:30am. I got there on time and there were 12 people in line.
It took until 9:20am until it was my turn. When I walked up and told them I had an appointment they said «oh you just needed to pull in and stand back there (she points)» That would have been good to know when I setup the appointment, or maybe make a sign for people who make appoints by phone?
I pull around, get in and stood by my car another 10 min, then told to «take a seat, someone will be with you» in a seating room completely full! I wait 5 more min until I am finally logged into the system, took an hour fifteen to DROP OFF THE CAR!
I asked, «how long do you need»? Sal shows me a stack of job orders about 18 – 20 thick ahead of me and say «awhile» (what’s the point of a «appointment» ??) I offer up, «I can be back at 3PM» Sal said no problem!
I called at 2:45PM, again 7 times to the main line, and 4 times to what I think is Sal’s cell phone # until he answered. I asked for a status on my car and Sal said «haven’t started yet» again I ask, «How long» Sal say’s 3:30PM and follows up with «I’ll call you».
No call, I waited until 4:00pm to call back, again a dozen more calls to the main line, now Sal’s phone goes right to VM. I couldn’t take it anymore, I was done, just wanted to get my car back. I’m left to go there and get my tires and go somewhere else.
I go inside and thinking I was smart, I stood in the «other line» in the back and after 2 people get service I was up and… yup…directed to the «regular line»…UGH COME ON!
Ok, get in that line, 10 min go by and I get to the guy and say I want to get my car. I give him my name only for him to tell me my car… IS DONE! I’m thrilled and pissed… No one called me, in fact, Sal went home!
The service to my car as far as I can tell is great — nothing to complain about!
Just know what you’re walking into.
— 9 hrs for 4 tires, which was 2 hrs later than was told (and honestly 8 hrs to long since I had a «appointment»,)
— Wait in long and mysterious lines
— Don’t expect you call to be picked up and no one to call you
Expect all that, and you won’t be disappointed.

After waiting an hour to talk to someone about my car not starting and needing to be jumped they tell me my alignment is off! Um what about my car not starting? I had a 2 year old battery and asked them to also check the starter connection and other terminals. They went straight for the «you need a new battery». OK that’s fine but they never checked any of the connections. They did tell me I needed a new serpentine belt, so ok fine add that on. Well after 6 hours and a broken nut to hold the battery in my car still won’t start this evening!
So now instead of checking my car out like I asked to figure out the issue they sold me a battery I probably didn’t need and got me for a serpentine belt with a car that won’t start!
This place is inefficient and poor quality! I’m extremely frustrated with Sears and it is apparent why the brand is struggling.

It ended up being a 4 hour project. The last hour was because no one came to get me in the waiting area. I still would of been there if I didn’t ask about my car.