Walt's Auto Care Centers

10/29/09

Lost a long-time customer due to negligence that damaged car

by VPHe at Citysearch

I've been taking my Honda to Walt's in SODO for about 5 years as my regular mechanic and have always been happy with their prices and quality of service. All that changed, however, on my last visit. After dropping my car off and getting it back promptly (2 days) with new struts (~$1k) I drove home and parked my vehicle for a couple weeks (I use METRO or walk 95% of the time). When I took my vehicle out on SR-520 to go on a roadtrip, the UNLATCHED HOOD flew up and hit my windshield while I was doing about 65mph. Luckily I was able to pull over and wrench it shut. The hood was turned inside out and had impacted and seriously cracked the windshield. The car was still drivable so after returning to Seattle a week later, I brought it back to Walt's and explained what happened and asked for them to repair the damage since they had NOT CHECKED IF MY HOOD WAS CLOSED PROPERLY when I left the shop.

The manager Ray:

1. Kept my car for SIX days with no communication. When I called, he told me to wait another day for the insurance inspector to come.

2. Admitted no fault (though they HAD fixed the sticky spring on my hood latch I later noticed...to escape culpability, I assume).

3. Said that the insurance adjuster had told him the damage caused could not have happened the way I said (why would I make it up and HOW could I fake the damage to my hood, which had obviously blown open)

4. Insinuated I was a liar and told me to take my car and leave.

BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE of Walt's SODO. Unprofessional, poor customer service from the new manager who doesn't mind stiffing long-time customers who have paid thousands of $$$ to the shop over the years or admit fault to letting a vehicle leave their shop without checking it for safety. MECHANIC FAIL.

I sent a letter to the main office outlining this complaint over a month ago. No reply. They lost a customer and I had to shell out several hundred dollars to repair the damage caused by the negligence of their mechanic. CORPORATE FAIL.

• Pros: Used to be great...
• Cons: rude manager, safety negligence, poor communication