Sears Auto Center

The few times I’ve gone here, I’ve never had a good experience. I’m not bashing Sears, just this location. They are always providing coupons for oil changes, so I go. Being a person with a ton of student loans, i gotta do what i gotta do. This location does work on a first come first serve method. Regardless of an appointment. They don’t care. They always have the workers coming in late, whether it is the mechanics or people working at the desk. The only consistent person is one lady who works at the desk. But, shes not too pleasant… Slightly sarcastic when asked serious questions, always complaining because it’s morning times, and just has an overall negative demeanor. There was one time where I was the first one in the store for my oil change, but was not seen for two hours. Why? Because their only morning mechanics wasn’t there yet. Instead of her telling me or any of the other people waiting, we just sat there until we saw the clock strike 10. The waiting room is usually cold and smells. The bathrooms are right there so you hear people use them all the time. It’s usually dirty with food and crap all over the floor. Today however, there are panels missing from the ceiling. Real classy, Sears. I figured I’d give them a try again since I made an appointment. I believed appointments took precedence over walk ins. I found a better location in the city, will be going there, especially after this time.
Update: an hour later. My car is finally done. I leave, and my car is leaking oil. I call the place, and when I said what the issue was, the women hung up on me. Lasharria or whatever her name is. So i wasnt pissed before for their crappy service, but now I am. Wjat a horrible business

The following comments are directed towards the Sears Auto Center Store in Matteson, IL. My mother and I went to get a battery tested because we suspected it may be failing. It seemed as if the starter was having a difficult time turning the engine over every time we tried to start the vehicle. We had previously bought the battery from the auto center and they told us that all they could do was pro rate the existing battery if it had indeed failed. Additionally, the woman at the front desk informed us that they would have to charge us an additional $ 20 to remove and install the battery into the vehicle. I was a bit distraught by this and asked the woman the reasoning for the charge. She explained that we had only bought the battery, but that they did not install it. She then said that they were busy and that it may take about an hour to get the battery out if we opted to pay the $ 20 service fee. I guess I figured that if a parts store like AutoZone does it for free, then so should the Sears Auto Center. We declined and went to the Home Depot to purchase the tools we needed to get the battery out. When we returned and took the battery out, we gave it to them to test. Originally, we were told that it would take an hour to test, then magically it turned into 4 minutes. The battery passed their test and to be sure, they subjected it to their computerized test again. This time, the battery failed. When I asked what the difference in the test was, the woman gave me vague answer and said that, «the computer did the testing, not me». Throughout the visit, it was apparent that the service rep had an attitude problem and an issue addressing me in a professional manner. I have been in the automotive and the heavy duty vehicle industry for the past 6 years as an ASE certified technician. From my point of view, the customer service reps lacked industry competency and needed to be further trained. This has been one of the most negative experiences I have had at an automotive shop to date.

This is the worst sears auto on the market, and the definition as to why sears auto centers are being phased out. Sears auto already charges prices way above the market competitors, but this location takes the cake in being inefficient. There was a line of people at 730 am, but instead of grouping people by difficulty of service, they institute the first come first serve method, so if you need an oil change you’ll be waiting 2 hours behind someone getting 4 new tires or a new radiator or something else ridiculous.

I can’t believe they close at 7pm but they told me I had to be there before 4:30pm to get service. No wonder Sears is going out of business everywhere. Poor service reps.

I take all my family’s vehicles to this location for all our oil changes, tires, and brakes. They have experienced mechanics. I trust them because when I’ve had issues in the past, they have resolved them

A friend recommended this location because she apparently got great service from them but that wasn’t my experience.
I explained to the gentleman (service manager) that I was moving out of state & I needed my car checked out from top to bottom. Specifically the brakes, struts & belts. I also had them change the oil & wiper blades.
I waited nearly two & a half hours & when I was called to pay no mechanic came out to speak to me. The cashier just told me the total for the wiper blades & oil change. I inquired about the findings on my car & she said there was nothing wrong with it. She said the mechanic would have provided her with a list if there were things wrong with it. The cashiers word wasn’t good enough for me so I asked to speak with the mechanic. He casually strolled out & repeated that nothing was wrong with the car. I asked specifically about the breaks because they were squeaking but was told that they don’t do brakes. The service manager never told me that when I first arrived which I found odd.
At any rate, I get on the road (traveling 700+ miles) & my car starts acting up. I hear squeaking coming from the vents while the AC I running. Turns out the belts are worn and need to be replaced. But that’ not what my Sears paperwork states. The tech marked down that everything was fine with it.
I left Sears and headed to Pepboys to have my breaks replaced.
And 4 days later I was at the repair shop again! This time it was my catalytic converter that broke. I find it strange that Sears supposedly checked the car out and then less a week later I have a $ 1000 repair on my hands.
Years ago I purchased a bad battery from this Sears location that had to be replaced a year later. I should’ve learned my lesson with that experience.