Goodyear auto in Lady Lake
 

Went to Goodyear Tire on 441 for an oil change on a 2 year old vehicle. After about 45 minutes, I went to see what was taking so long. I saw they had removed all the wheels from the car and appeared to be doing work on the vehicle's rear suspension. I asked why they removed the tires to do an oil change, and what was the service man doing under the rear of the car. I was told they perform a 'vehicle inspection' on all the car's systems. I said I only wanted an oil change, not a dis-assembly of the car, and an oil change should 10-20 minutes, not over an hour. After an hour and 10 minutes the 'service man' came and out and in a dire voice stated that my front tires were 'almost' worn out and 'maybe' I should have an alignment (the car has 22000 miles). I said I only wanted an oil change.

Oh, and while I was waiting in the customer area, EVERY customer waiting was approached and told they should have work done that they did not come in for, ie. air filters, windshield wipers, etc..

What a scam they are running! Imagine elderly customers who may be scared into spending money for unnecessary work. Beware if you go there. You now know what to expect.

Seems like this goes on everywhere these days.

Typical work they recommend:

New air filter.

New fuel filter.

Transmission flush and service.

Cooling system flush.

Differential needs service.

Seems like every time they will come up with something you need. Pull your service manual out of your glove box and review it before the next oil change. When they recommend a transmission flush at 30,000 miles, ask them why the manual recommends it at 60,000, 75,000, or whatever.

oil change
 

I agree, had same problems at these stations.you have to be very careful.I also caught once auto service repair for $2000,00 that was not covered under warranty, guess what,it was. they tried to double dip me.Stay away,beware of Ocala Ford of Bellview.Took ford dealership in michigan to prove my case.I still had michigan plates on my car when this happened, and I think they look for this. again Ford of Ocala in bellview,beware.

I went to Bill Bryan Dodge in Leesburg for my normal oil change service and asked them to do the radiator flush. They said that they do that at the 30,000 mark. I said okay. At the 30,000 mark they presented me with a $1500 estimated bill for all the services that said I needed. I said I cannot afford that and to tell me which were the five most important. I picked two of them and scheduled the rest of the ones that I thought important at my convenience.

Never let them pressure you into something you do not want. Then check the warranty book for a guide to what you really need.

They'd have a tough time flushing the transmission on our Prius. It's a sealed unit and from what I have been told, never needs servicing.

They must train this in their management classes. The same thing happens at two of their stores in VA. Go there for one thing and they want to do 5 things and make you think they are the good guys for checking your car for everything. It's a calculated rip off. I stopped going there for that reason.

I took my company car to a Jiffy Lube in Rockland County, NY for an oil change. The car had just over 8000 miles on it. The guy came out of the work area and told me I needed a new PCV valve. I asked if he had actually checked the valve. He assured me he had. I then asked him to show me the defective valve. We walked back to the car it was almost comical to watch. He had no idea where the PCV valve was located. This was, of course, the same valve he'd just checked and found to be defective.
Never be afraid to ask questions.

Back in the early 90's I went to a Goodyear service for a Pennsylvania yearly inspection on my Fiero GT. They told me I needed a new emergency brake cable.

I told them, that's funny, because I just had it replaced (true) last week. While he was studdering for an answer, I told them to take the car off the rack, and I would take it elsewhere for service. They lost a customer, and later, I read that they had been busted during an undercover service check.

I believe the best solution to all this is to change the oil in the vehicle yourself. Total cost for good quality oil and filter is about $20. Higher quality synthetic oil and filter maybe $35 depending on the size of the engine. I simply will not allow a bunch of high schoold drop outs to monkey around with my vehicles. The mechanics at the dealer are better trained.

What they give you is called the up sell. It's the same pitch you get at the fast food place. "Would you like fries and a drink with that burger?"

Similar situation
 

I had a similar situation at the local Subaru (highway robbers) dealer. They all just can't give you what you want. Just want to empty your pockets. I get good service at Walmart.

I do want to add that Goodyear Tire in Lady Lake put new tires on my RV. They had to order the tires, then we arranged a time when the RV would cause the least hassle with other customers. I was please with the job the did. No "upselling" on that visit - but did you know that each tire takes $83 of air?:22yikes:

That's some expensive air.

Imported, he didn't say where from, I'd like to think the Swiss Alps.

He's selling me some muffler bearings next week, chrome plated.

Nice to hear GoodYear practices are same on the East Coast as the West. Went to them once for an oil change -- they told me I needed an alignment and a new muffler and had an oil leak starting, so probably needed a new head gasket. Um, no. I refused to pay for the oil change since they had dismantled my car. It took the police department to get my car released to me (I called, not them). So, guess it is a GoodYear policy to try to get people to pay for more services than needed. What a shame because they do make a decent tire.

take your car to sumter tire. in wildwood .see larry very honest man...

Please tell us that you are joking about this part. I sure wouldn't want anybody to believe this.....should I?


When I was a young guy, I had a transmission problem. (I don't remember exactly what it was, but I think is was low fluid) I took it to an AAMCO shop and the guy pulled out the transmission fluid dip stick and smelled it. He said, "you need a complete transmission re-build." Holy ****, I didn't have that kind of money.

A friend of mine on the local police department had a friend who was a "back alley" mechanic. We took it to him. He went under the car on a "creeper" and came out with a gasket between his fingers. He said, "The back-up light switch gasket is leaking." The repair cost me 25 cents and took 3 minutes.

To this day, 45 years later and 1,500 miles away, I will never, ever go to an AAMCO shop.

All this was in Monaca, Pennsylvnania, when I was a young disc jokey at WBVP in Beaver Falls, Pa. Anybody remember that?

JLK

I remember that. How could I forget that?

You must have taken the long way here. It is only 1050 miles.

Double A, M, C, O BEEP BEEP


Catchy Jingle Tho


.

Sounds like Nitrogen fill in your tires. That is done to eliminate the water in the air and adds some life to the tires. Not $83 worth of life tho.

Not needed.


.

Getting robbed
 

Be thankful they didn't tell you they needed to flush and refill your directional signal fluid.

It's sadly a sign of the times we live in. Have you noticed that some brands of toilet tissue no longer are as wide as the spool you place the roll on?

I find it impossible to find a pound of coffee in stores. How about higher prices for really mediocre movies? For a real shocker, look at prices for toothbrushes.

Someone told me once, "It's all about marketing."

Look at what we were sold when we had to bail out GM. A company that is now investing $500 million to expand one of it's Mexican Plants.

Look at the US economy and where does the First Lady go for vacation---Spain.

Yep, I agree, it is all about marketing.

I had a friend that owned a service station. He told me once that a regular customer of his periodically came by and requested that he change the air in his tires.

The new car dealer I recently bought a car from charges $35 for nitrogen tire fill. More than I'd pay, but the new car came with it at no charge. So far, the tires have maintained their pressure in winter and summer with out having to add air, one of the benefits. Still not sure it's worth $35 tho.

For those of you that expressed some concern about the price of the air - I didn't pay for air any more than I paid for chrome muffler bearings. I thought it would be obvious that I was joking but some seemed concerned that I had been taken for a ride.

BTY - Goodyear offers pony rides for $8000. Call me and I will set it up for you.

Bogey I thought it was perfectly obvious that you were kidding around. I did get a kick out of the posts from folks who thought you were serious though.
Anybody know where I can pick up a set of left handed screwdrivers? I could also use a good metric adjustable wrench.

December 2009, we discovered we had a flat tire near the Goodyear in Lady Lake, so drove our van into the shop and asked them to repair the tire if at all possible. The guy showed us some tire damage that was not able to be repaired and then tried to sell us a set of four tires. Of course we said no and even considered purchasing two since they say tires should match. The rest of the tires showed little wear and tear. Ultimately, we only purchased one tire.

We also witnessed the scam of the Goodyear employees approaching EVERY customer in the waiting area advising them they all needed more work done on their vehicles than what they brought them into the shop for.

After that visit, we decided we'd never go to that place again.

Was the air in your tires Hi-test air or regular air as Hi-test air naturally cost more $?

:boxing2:Keep in mind that most businesses other than a family owned, are run by corporate members that do not have to face the customers. The management in many cases is encouraged to bring in the dollars or loose their job. That mentality is passed on to the employees. Have a high sales month and get a bonus without any concern as to how you get it. It is simple greed and that is the American way. When you find a business that treats you FAIR, tell everyone you know. Unfortunately, we tend not to write about the fair company or business.

Where to have oil changed???
 

So other than Wal-Mart....where is a reliable place to have your oil changed. I have a Ford Escape that is due for a change. Thanks!

I use the Express Lube on 441 (although there are others around).

I add Boulevard Tire (441/27...just south of 466) to the list of good guys.
Fair, square and fast...especially if you go in after 2pm.
Check their web site for coupons...and tire rotation is free.

You probably already took care of problem. I had problems with this thread's title company also - won't go back.

I will add my vote for the good guys at the WallMart on 466 towards 301. Good job, didn't push extra work, and they were very quick. Left the car clean too - no oil on the steering wheel. I will definitely go back.

Tires, Oil Change and Service
 

After being ripped off several times when first moving here, I found two very reliable services, both family owned and have been here
a long time. Their prices are more reasonable than the places I had tried here.

Oil change and service: Hilton Automotive on 441, on your immediate left after crossing 42. (347-3565)

For tires, Belleview Tire (26 years in business in Belleview) 245-2723 or 245-7017

Oil changes
 

I have always gone to Key Scales Ford in Leesburg. (For the past 7.5 years) Have never had any problems. They put the right products in, always fill all the fluids at no extra charge. They also do a safety check free, not pressuring for a sale.

I will never go back to Wal Mart again. I had a new car due first service, was on the week-end, got a call and had to go out of state on an emergency.
I stopped at Wal-Mart on 44l north of TV. They put windshield washer fluid in the radiator and anti-freeze in the windshield washer, not only that they even put the wrong weight oil in. They put 10-40 in instead of 5-20 Ford recommends. Took 6 hours to get everthing flushed and refilled properly. They still tried to charge me for the oil change.

I have heard good things about Hilton but have not used them.

My personal experience with Brad at Belleview Tire ( Baseline Road) has earned them an A+. I will definitely return there for tires.

I take my car to Delta Auto Center in Fruitland Park - right across the street from BillBryan. Sam is the owner and he is great. Ask for an oil change - and you get an oil change. He is also VERY caring and does not try to gouge men or WOMEN - and I think that is important! Been doing business with him for several years and have referred a lot of people to him - they all have been very satisfied. Call him at 315-9595 - just tell him Monica referred you. You certainly won't be sorry and no, I don't get anything for the referral. He's just a good, dependable guy.

I have used Tri County Auto on 27/441 and have had GREAT service each time. They are family owned ( I think) and rely on repeat business and word of mouth. They saved me a bundle of money one time by not servicing something on my car that they found was under warranty. In fact the manager actually called the Honda dealership in Leesburg and told them the problem and made them come and pick up my car, service it, and then pick me up at my house to bring me back to the Leesburg dealership the following day to get my vehicle...all at no charge. Tri County showed amazing integrity and honesty when they could have fixed the problem and charged me for it and I would never have known it all was under warranty by the Honda dealership.

tri county auto
 

Tri County Auto doesn't have spend money on advertising after reading the provious post. I'll certainally give them a try!

We had a similar experience with Goodyear in Lady Lake this winter. We went there to fix a flat tire. We were happy that it could be fixed and that we didn't need a new tire. So we let them talk us into a new air filter which seems to be one of their favorite items to push. My family has been using Hutson Auto repair for several years at 3201 US Highway 441/27, in Fruitland Park. We've all been very happy with their service and their charges have been reasonable. Hutson seems to have enough legitimate repair work and have never suggested "stuff" to fix like some other places. I believe an oil change here was about $29. Call them first because they may only do oil changes one or two mornings each week.

I thought I'd update this thread rather than start a new one. My niece while visiting today mentioned that she noticed a nail in her tire. Hutson Auto referred us to Tire Round-Up in Lady Lake (About a half-mile south of CR 466 on 27\441). They took care of us immediately. While we waited in the office, they removed a small sheet metal screw from the tire that hadn't puctured the tire, and refused to take any money. They also checked the tire pressure in all four tires. I'll bet others mentioned in this thread would have gone through the motions, pulled the wheel and charged us to fix the flat, including the cost of reballancing the wheel. Besides tires, they also sell Interstate batteries. I don't want to get in trouble like Juan Williams (formerly of NPR) of advertising but this is the kind of business that you want to make a mental note of and deal with in the future.

George