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Sears Auto - Batteries

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Ed of Newport MI (1/2/03):
Being a mechanic with 30 years experience at the time I knew the battery was shot, and that although the voltage was correct that the battery plates would not support an amperage load of any sustained duration. Of course I have my own personal voltmeter as well as a battery load tester. When I left home there was no doubt that I was going to purchase a new battery. At Sears a young fellow hooked up a voltmeter and checked voltages with the engine running and off. I was told the battery was fine and no load test was performed, let alone mentioned.

I drove directly to K-mart automotive, asked them to check the battery. They actually performed a load test, whereupon I bought a battery and had it installed. End of story, so much for Sears.

Mike of Mundelein IL (10/8/02):
I went to Sears Auto in Vernon Hills to have my battery tested and recharged. Sales person said he ran the test and that the battery was bad. I asked if he tried to recharge the battery under my existing warranty. The sales person said that the battery is still under a warranty but he can not recharge it because the battery was so bad. The sales person said he can sell me a new battery with a discount since the old battery was still under a prorated warranty.

After purchasing the new battery, I took the old battery to another Sears and had a sales person test the old battery. I was later told that I'm not suppose to take the old battery, but I'm glad I did. The test on the old battery came back good.

Cynthia of Pottsville PA (5/14/03):
My husband and I drove to my daughter's school because her car had a dead battery. We jump-started the car and drove to the Exton Mall Sears Auto to have the battery replaced. Upon returning to the auto shop the service manager told my husband of a small problem, the alternator was bad and a rebuilt one would cost $250. My husband told the man he would have to think about it, the man said if we drive home with the new battery we will have to replace that also. My husband then requested he remove the new battery and reinstall the old battery and have the car running as it was when we brought it in because we are going home.

The service dept. charged him $10 plus tax for an installation of a battery we never purchased. The next day, Easter Sunday, we had our battery replaced and alternator checked at another service center. There is nothing wrong with the alternator.

With my husband's smart thinking we were only out $10 but the aggravation was high considering it was a holiday weekend. We've always trusted Sears and I'm sure most people do and the public must be made aware.

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