Sears Auto Center

DO NOT GO HERE! This Sears Auto Center attempted to rip me off! I brought my car in for an oil change only because I had a coupon that would make it cheaper than my boyfriend, who is a mechanic, doing it. I had never been here before and will never go back. While I was having lunch waiting for the oil change, I got a call stating that «Your serpentine belt is about to break in half. It’ll cost $ 145 to fix it.» I said no, because I knew my bf could fix it for much cheaper. The guy kept pushing the issue with language intended to scare the crap out of me if I drove the car a minute longer. I still said no. When I got home, my bf checked the serpentine belt… good as new. He told me Sears isn’t the first place he ever heard of that will attempt to rip someone off by scaring them. If I hadn’t had my bf to check it, I would have been out $ 145 for nothing. I have told all my friends not to go here and hope this review helps someone else decide not to go here either!

I had a horrible experience with Sears Auto Center a few months ago but I just joined Unilocal so I am leaving the review now. Anyways, I just purchased a pre-​owned car and I knew it needed brakes. Being that Sears is a well known company I figured let me just bring it here and get them done. I spent about $ 500 for front brakes and roters and I left there with squeaking breaks. I figured maybe they just needed some time to adjust so I gave it about a week and at this point the brakes were squeaking and GRINDING louder than before I even had them changed. Now I had to find the time to bring my car there for a second time with my hectic schedule because obviously THEY did something wrong. So I get there and explain the situation and the lady at the desk is basically telling me that if its not a problem on their end that I’ll have to pay. So I said «what do you mean? You guys just replaced my brakes and roters, how could it not be your problem?» so she says «well if another part of the brake system is causing this then you’ll have to pay for that.» Meanwhile; don’t they CHECK these things when I pay $ 500 for new brakes and roters? I would hope so but I guess not. I felt like she thought I was just lying or something. Anyways, I leave my car there and come back when they call me. The guy on the phone told me that I did not have to pay. So I come pick up the car and the kid at the register gives me my keys, so I said «can I ask what the problem with the car was?» And he goes «don’t worry you don’t have to pay so it’s fine» EXCUSE ME? You just majorly inconvenienced me having to bring my car twice for one simple job and you can’t even tell me what was wrong? So I asked to speak to a manager and the kid went in the back and came back out (without a manager) and said «they said the brakes they put in originally were defective». I have been driving for 10+ years and have always had my brakes done at mom and pop shops (for cheaper) and have never had an issue. You would think Sears would have it together but I guess not. I felt as though I should have been offered at least a partial refund or a credit for the fact that I had to go back and forth after dropping $ 500 and then deal with their employees unenthused careless attitudes. This isn’t a shirt that I bought and I’m complaining about the color. These are my brakes. They stop my car when I need them to. And this place put defective brakes in my car and didn’t even try to rectify the situation to make me happy? If so I wouldn’t have left a negative review and I would have given them another shot.

I’ve never had a problem here before until my oil change a couple of days ago. I never would have thought one person can make such a big difference but when Jennifer isn’t here, things go downhill. No one was telling me what was going on with my car and they just stared at me through the window! I always bring my car to Sears for an oil change but now I may have to rethink that. At least when Jennifer is there she smiles, is very friendly, makes small talk, makes waiting for your hour and a half oil change fly by. Next time she’s on vacation post it on the door outside so I can keep driving!
(Giving high rating bc my experience here is usually great.)

Went there for inspection. Guy inside told me to walk over to garage on right side. Went to garage. Two «mechanics» are vaping. One asks if he can help me but doesn’t get up. I tell him what I need. He tells me the machine is down and won’t be fixed until next week. I’m not saying it wasn’t. I’m saying the impression I got from dude was that if I had asked for an oil change, he would’ve told me Sears was out of oil too.

Amazing service and I’m not one to trust a mechanic. I broke down on the island and was towed here. From the start the manager Jennifer calmed me down and made sure I got updates on the car and the mechanic fixed the issue promptly. They explained everything to me and the price was fair. The manager even picked up a blooming onion for me from the outback across the lot as I hadn’t eaten in awhile and was upset.

I work at the mall and my manager came in and told me I had a flat tire. I immediately ran out to see my passenger side tire was indeed flat. Not knowing what time the auto center closed I headed over to sears as soon as I could. They were about close in five mins but still took care of my needs. Most places would have turned me away. I was happily surprised to witness first hand their dedication to customer service. Thanks to the team at the Sears auto center in the Staten Island Mall I was about to get back on the road.

Absolutely terrible as you all can see already. Sent my wife to get 2 tires put on and all the guy would do is make up excuses why we dont need new tires. We told them just put the new tire anyway because we’re going to pay for it he says will have to come back and make an appointment typical lazy New York dirtbag

A comment was left by the district manager concerning the issue I had with the seat auto center. I tried contacting him and had no success. All the messages I left at Sears for this district manager to contact me must never have made it to him. Strange how even the store manager never attempted to return my calls. It is sad how not only the employees at Sears don’t care about their work and their customer service but management cares even less. Stay far away from this company. Not only have I had to do the repairs from the damage Sears did to my van but I had to plug my tires myself because even though I purchased the road hazard warranty I am to scared to let Sears touch my van. Next time I will spend my money somewhere else. Because of the quality of service I have stopped shopping at Sears for every product not only automotive.

I don’t think they could move any slower if they were paid to do so. I walked in, third in line, waited 25 minutes and gave up before it was my turn. Why they turn buying a tire into a 20 – 30 question sales pitch is beyond me. I don’t understand how their corporate offices don’t see these reviews and work to improve the process.

I personally know sears staten island sear auto did a good job. I have great tires at great price. 2 year alignment $ 160. Had my shocks and struts replaced some bent control arm replaced. There good. Ask for Jennifer. Tell her I sent you. I now have 2 new shops I go to but never had a problem with sears. Since I have contract alignment I will stay with them on that.

I came with my wife about two weeks ago to get tires for our minivan. We were greeted kindly by I believe her name was Jennifer. We did have to wait a bit for our car to the work started but being a former sears auto employee in the past years ago (I was a maintenance tech) I do understand how it works. I’ve been reading many reviews of how slow things are but most people don’t understand there are different levels of mechanic working you have the tire guys, maintenance guys (oil changers), and the guys who do the brakes and alignments and all the other big stuff. I could see from the waiting room peeking in that the tire guys were backed up so me and my wife went for lunch lunch at red robin then we went shopping. Total job took about 3 hours and a half for 4 tires and alignment but what’s I expected being there was about 6 cars ahead of me. I was happy with my visit at this local sears auto. I only rated 4 Sears because Nothing’s perfect in life. I do like how I was texted that my car was finished though. I will be returning in two months for my oil change..

I brought my truck back there with noises that were unbelievably annoying clicking knocking it felt like I was dragging something. it was a bit of a wait they had to have parts delivered but they took good care of it, it’s a pleasure to drive without being embarrassed!!! Chris thank u! and Tony DeStefano u are the greatest…

Went in last week was told I need front and rear brakes and rotors and rear calipers. How much $ 971. Take it today to a local mechanic. Need rear rotors and brakes and front are like brand new. That woman who runs the auto shop works on commission what a crook. Take money from people to pad her paycheck. And I found out in another review another sear in another state did the same thing. You need all brakes and rotors changed. What a scam. I will never go to sears for any automotive problems again.

Great service came for four tires and alignment luckily the mechanic had shown me my control arm was damaged. Compared to my last mechanic who missed that huge issue, the guys here look over your whole car, made me feel very safe. Overall time there was about two hours. Very quick service and respectful. Will be back soon to prep my vehicle for a cross country vacation.

My wife asks me why I go? It has gotten worse over time.
Years ago, they (Sears chain) were accused of gauging, always suggesting unneeded repairs. I am not sure the problem has been cured.
It depends on who you get to help you. Most create problems, few solve them. One, when I get him always calls (while waiting) with a problem. I refuse what he suggests, and return days later, only to find no problem when someone else helps me.
If you make it past the front desk, a certain mechanic will always finds problems. So much so, the work he suggests is so off the wall, that even I know it is not true.
So why do I go here? I am not sure. Habit maybe?
Maybe to write this to warn others.

Sooooooooo done with them… now they offer nys inspections… but don’t bother, because they obviously don’t want to be bothered…1^st time went and it was ohhhh… the machines not working and the inspectors not in… next time I called 1^st… yes the machines working and there’s no wait… I rush over… they take my car… no one else waiting… soooo an hour later… can u check if my car is almost done it’s been a long time… oh I’m so sorry, he’ll start it right now… r u kidding me? It’ll only be 15 mins… sorry but I have to leave… they just totally didn’t want to b bothered… and if u go for tires or wheel alignment… they’ll try and talk u into all these different warranties! …wish I could give a half star… get out of the auto service business Sears!

Poor, Poor customer service. These guys are unprofessional and don’t know anything about treating paying customers with some dignity and respect. Definitely brings the Sears name down. These guys will choose what projects to take on and when to do them despite whether you have a warranty or not. Definitely will NOT bring my car here again and I’m seeking any other available recourse for their failure to perform their legal obligations according to the warranty they sold.
Waste of time asking for a manager… they all are buddies and back each other up so they can choose which jobs to work on and get out early.
Poorly run service center.
Update: July 9^th, 2013: I was told someone would contact me. No name, no number, no department, nothing. No call… nothing. Disgusted w/​SEARS AUTOMOTIVE.

Ok first off I never write reviews, but my experience at the Sears Auto Center at the Staten Island Mall deserves a review from me based on my experience, so at least I can warn you fellow Staten Islanders about how terrible this place is.
I went in for just an oil change. First off be warned they may hit you immediately with a diagnostic test on your wheel alignment showing RED calculations of how your wheels aren’t aligned correctly. Ok $ 84.99 to get that fixed even though my wheel alignment seemed just fine being that my car is still under 25K Mi, he now tells me I need new tires very soon. I have enough tread on them pal. This is coming from the old guy with the tattoos on his arms, don’t believe anything he says. Let me just jump to the conclusion… After the oil change and wheel alignment I get a call to confirm for them to go ahead and plug a nail in my tire that was causing air to come out. Ok another $ 20.00 Then when I pick up my car 2 and a half hrs later I proceed to drive off the lot and MY TIRE ISN“T EVEN HALFWAY ON! My car was shaking as I was pulling out of the lot. I pulled over immediately and saw that the tire was a few more rotations from coming off. CARELESS and LAZY PEOPLE! Do Not go here! My rim was ruined because the holes for the lug nuts to go into were no longer round they were oval shaped due to the rubbing from not being securely put on. UnREAL!

Incredibly slow, long lines. First and last time coming here.

I have had nothing but problems at this place. They don’t let you make an appointment, meaning you might end up waiting hours and still not get your problem fixed. They also don’t know how to diagnose issues, I had to go there 4 times for the same problem. I’ve been charged for items I didn’t authorize, and just overall had nothing but issues. My latest issue was getting the wrong part installed (after a 4 hour wait) and being told it would be at least another hour to get the correct part (which I had ordered over a week ago). I didn’t get any type of apology, just a nasty attitude.