Firestone or should I say FlagitiousShop

While taking my car in for inspection in Dec., they said I needed 4 new tires before they could pass me (they were nice enough not to charge me for two inspections) Even through I knew one of my tires was replaced not long before! Nevertheless, I went ahead and get four new tires and save good one in my trunk. Guess where I went for tires? Yes, Firestone as they offered lower price than the most.

However, later in this month I took car in at Firestone for tire rotation as its part of warranty. I asked them for their opinion if the calipers need replacing (they're device that push brakes) as it seem to be wearing out that cause stopping not to go smoothly. At that time, front brakes were already replaced on the day before at home. When I picked the car up and get the invoice, I couldn't believe my eyes as they recommend new front brakes (remember they were practically new, just placed in the day before). Plus other labors such as brake system flush, clean, adjustment, etc and they did agree that calipers need replacing. The total was $827.41, no worries it was going to be done at home. How could they lied about brakes when its obviously new, eh?

That's not all...When I took the car to home for my dada to do the calipers as they were tough to do. He's far experienced than I am, I was still learning. He had a such hard time to get lugs off the tire to get the tire off to do the calipers inside... As of result two lugs were worn out and no longer able to be screwed back on. I had never saw it happened like this before as I usually was able to get it off myself so if my dada had hard time then they sure overdid their screwing.

So, here I went again back to Firestone to have those lugs replaced, at no charge. When I explained the situation, the guy smirked and seem not believe that it was their fault. He also said lug was not a big factor and it was probably stud that was damaged. If stud have to be replaced, it would cost me. I just stood firm and told them to replace the lugs as I knew its just lugs for the studs were fine (already checked). Finally the guy took it in and at the end, he did replace not just two but all five lugs on one tire. Later, he handed me the invoice and said, its possible that lugs was damaged while unscrewing the tire for caliper replacement "by hand!" as he wrote.

Hmph, suppose I got a flat tire in middle of highway, shouldn't I be able to get the tire off? Yeah, then they were not doing their job right!

I would be sticking to Dunn's Tires or Pep Boys in the future as I didn't have problem with them in the past, just the price was bit more.