I'm curious. Why is it "possibly" pay the $400 paid to have the transmission flushed? I know it's not a deal-breaker, but the OP & Wally World should be clear about who's paying for what, so there's no further confusion.

Frankly, I could see how this type of thing could get annoying pretty quickly. Not that I haven't done things like that in the past myself. But going through a lot of emails, reading ones like this can be

@hollywood2590: a real chore. But was her whole email even written in the boldface or was it just the heading?

@tbax929: The system flush refers to the original system flush where this problem was caused by one of Walmart's repair guys. Basically, Walmart might refund that money.

@hollywood2590: wrong article?

@GMFish:
I understand that part. But why is it "might refund the money" instead of will or won't?

Of course they responded quickly, they probably have an entire team dedicated to checking out what people are saying about them - Being on edge just comes naturally with running a morally questionable company.
Don't be fooled, they're only doing it because the guy spoke up about it and it led to bad pr. They knew they'd have to pay one way or another.

Why am I so bitchy? Because they tried to pull a fast one on me years ago and I haven't gave them the chance to do so again. We had bought a new tire and fell for the extended-warranty deal and it went flat. The mechanic made up some lame excuse as to why he wouldn't replace it, eventually I was able to convince him of otherwise though, I played the "They told me if the tire was ever damaged, regardless, it would be replaced or fixed" card..But honestly, the way some people are they think the money for the warranty replacements comes out of their pocket or something.

Forget them, they'll never ever see another dime when it comes to anything with a big price tag on it or has an available extended warranty bait-and-switch.

@ThatGuyisHere: @GMFish:

No No... this guy didn't pay Wally World $400 for a flush... he paid the dealership.

The story was just up... Wally World allegedly accidentally drained his tranny and then proceeded to over-fill it w/ gear oil or something other then the ATF it should have received.

Jeff immediately noticed a problem w/ the shifting, but did/said nothing... after some period of time, about 6 months apparently, he brought it to the dealer who said "New tranny, or you an try a flush for $400"... he opted for $400 which did squat and the truck has been un-drivable since.

What this all comes do to is a few things:
* Jeff is REALLY lucky
* Someone at the Wally World remembers doing this and was stupid enuff to admit it to the mgmt
* There is some other proof here that we're unaware of
* Wally is desperate for decent PR and sees this as a ~$5K opportunity for lots of goodwill and advertising of the fact that they have these services

I know a guy that worked as an oil jocky at Wal-Mart that got into a customers car and tried to start the car without pushing in the clutch. The car lurched forward striking a post and damaging the car. Can you believe Wal-Mart blamed the car owner for not having a start-kill switch for the clutch pedal?

@riverstyxxx:

We had bought a new tire and fell for the extended-warranty deal and it went flat. The mechanic made up some lame excuse as to why he wouldn't replace it, eventually I was able to convince him of otherwise though, I played the "They told me if the tire was ever damaged, regardless, it would be replaced or fixed" card...

Was a road hazard? Because I do take that and don't consider it a scam or anything... most places add it for about 10% of the cost of your tires, so if you buy (4) $100 tires about $40 to add road hazard. They will repair the tire for free, or replace it for free up to a certain wear point (usually they will pro-rate the value of a new tire too).

It's worth it... I bought $600 worth of tires for my SO's Subie, 2 months later she got a flat... that $60 in RH saved us $180 for a new tire.

But honestly, the way some people are they think the money for the warranty replacements comes out of their pocket or something.

It very well may--up-selling and reducing warranty claims probably directly affects the store's bonus setup for management

@tbax929: Because they don't have a legal obligation to pay for a fix that didn't work...they're probably still thinking about it. I would be happy with the rest.

@Rusty-Shackleford: Yes. It's the same people who blame accidents on other things, like kids not belted in but get thrown from a Dodge minivan because the rear hatch was faulty, or suing Honda because they didn't put laminated glass on the side windows, which caused a little girl to lose vision in an eye because her mom felt that she had to drive into a tornado.

Or the thief who put a knife to a clerk's throat, ran off and got some lead pumped into him on the way out the door, and is suing for pain and suffering caused by the careless actions of the clerks...

@Rusty-Shackleford:
I completely believe that.

@ShruggingGalt: I disagree. The failed attempt to fix the problem only happened because Wal-Mart created the problem in the first place. It doesn't matter that the attempt didn't fix the problem. It only matters that it was a reasonable attempt to fix the problem which Wal-Mart created. Therefore, it should be considered a cost for which they are responsible.

Still, it sounds like Wal-Mart is finally taking responsibility for MOST of the costs they created. While $400 isn't peanuts, the rest of the costs are much higher. Without paying the $400, they can at least avoid getting sued. Paying the $400 would only help to repair their public image and possibly avoid losing a customer.

@Rusty-Shackleford:
I can believe that! so what was the final resolution?

@Rusty-Shackleford: As god-awful as Walmart is, they shouldn't be fully responsible if the customer brought them a vehicle that didn't operate as it should. it would be the same as if it was an automatic transmission that went into drive, even though the lever was in park. I work as a golf course equipment mechanic where the machinery safety switches are constantly bypassed or not fixed. One operator sliced of the tips of his fingers when he got off the mower to loosen a stuck deck from a chain link fence. He grabbed the deck by slipping his fingers under it. the mower's seat switch prevents the blades from turning while the operator is off the unit, but it had been bypassed.

@DovS:
I just wouldn't trust anyone who told me they "may" pay something. I'd like it to be more definitive, either way.

BTW, At the time, I was a mechanic for the company that sold the equipment, not for that particular golf course. Whomever bypassed the switch is responsible for that one, or the mechanic himself if it had been through his shop and wasn't fixed.

@esp13:
I haven't owned a standard transmission for several years, but don't they all lurch forward if you start them without using the clutch? I know all of mine did. If that's the case, then it's not a vehicle operating incorrectly. It's a mechanic not paying attention to what he's doing or not knowing how to start a standard car.

@tbax929: I guess it would depend on the age of the vehicle if it was supposed to have a safety switch, then owner responsiblity. Of it didn't come standard, then Wal-mart responsibility.

@Rusty-Shackleford: Depends on the age of the car. If it were never equiped with such a device, I blame Wal-Mart 100%. If it had one that was malfunctioning, I say 50/50. Wal-Mart had every expectation that it should have functioned properly but still should have trained its employee on how to start a car with a standard tranny.

@tbax929:

Only newer vehicles won't turn over if you don't push in the clutch. Older vehicles will still lurch forward. It isn't a "problem", they were all like that.

@ShruggingGalt:

Agree with all but the last one. No need to shoot the guy once he's on his way out. Restrain him for the police to deal with, A-OK, but try to kill him on his way out? Yes, that's certainly a crime (here, YMWV in the USA).

@ShruggingGalt: If the replace the transmission, the customer would, in a sense, be getting something AT LEAST as equally valuable as a flushed transmission, therefore the customer should be held responsible for the $400. Otherwise they end being ahead in the situation, which isn't how insurance works. You can't profit from a mistake. That's why if UPS or FedEx loses an insured package, you still have to pay for delivery (assuming you checked the "Bill Sender" box and didn't prepay) before you can get compensation. That very thing happened to me, and this whole comment was basically verbated, much to my surprise. It makes perfect sense though... I still had to pay for the item to be shipped, and they sent a check to where it was going. All is well that ends well.

@Easton21: That's utterly bizzare - you have to pay them for a service they didn't accomplish in order for them to give you the money they agreed to at the signing of the contract? I'm not saying you're wrong, just that it makes no sense. No service was rendered, no money should exchange hands (or at least the service was not properly rendered). And how would you come out ahead if the recipient was paying shipping on receipt? Meh.

I got off topic though, the flushed transmission was something they paid for that was an ineffective remedy to repair Walmart's original error. Costs incurred in the pursuit of fixing this problem should be Walmart's burden. Yes, a new transmission is at least as valuable as the flush, but if I remember right, Walmart didn't do the flush, the dealership did. No one would be profiting (well the dealership) because this remedy was ineffective and thus not of value to the consumer.

But they can profit in this scenario because Walmart is making good rather than them seeking a legal avenue - if Walmart wants to throw in a gift card on top of all the rest of this, they can. And even had they sued, I think that cost could be included, as it was one step they took to fix Walmart's error. I mean if I follow this logic, they are getting a value for the tow (the car to the dealership) and thus profiting, so to speak (at least in the same sense as someone getting a free flush) so sh ould that not be covered as well?

Sorry, got a bit long winded.

@temporaryerror: No, Wal-Mart payed. Just fought it a first.

@esp13: Some cars don't have the switch. And its not like putting a car in park and it rolls forward. If you read any autos owners manual it will tell you to press the clutch in when starting the motor. Its common sense.

@HiPwr: Read the owners manual of any auto. Ask any professional driver, you push the clutch in before starting the car.

@riverstyxxx: I used to run a TLE before they eliminated the salaried position. The road hazard isn't a scam. For whatever the price is now(I think $9.50, could be wrong), you get a free flat reapir, free roatations, and free balances for the life of the tire. Moreso, if the tire is damaged beyond repair, its replaced free of charge within the first 20% of the wear of the tire (most tires that's 2/32 of an inch) or 20% of teh mileage though that was RARELY used unless it was wearing way prematurly. I can think of dozens of occasions where people got their tired replaced for free because the tire was damaged in a place that could not be repaired (i.e. sidewall), and have seen even more people who called it a "scam", only to come back the next week for a huge gash in the side of the tire and want a new one free of charge. Sorry buddy, we tried to warn you.

Sidenote, for those that do/did this for a living, what the oddest thing you found that damaged a tire. Mine is a 3/8 piece of copper tubing almost 9 inchs long 100% inside the tire.

@riverstyxxx: Okay, but I gotta ask... why go back there for anything? Why support them in even the smallest way? So many people despise Wal-Mart, but then they hold their noses and go so they can save four cents on paper plates.

Take a stand and never go back!

@Rusty-Shackleford: actually, older volkswagens start without using the clutch (as long as it wasn't in gear). i used to love that about my 70 beetle & my 82 rabbit. i dunno if the new vws are like that or not.

a manual transmission car is not supposed to lurch forward - it should simply not turn over, but inexperienced drivers will frequently start the car correctly & then lift their foot off the clutch while it's still in gear, causing a lurch (especially if the handbrake isn't up).

i'm guessing that's what happened.

AWESOME!

walmart PR team, you certainly earned your squiggly today!

~

@mackjaz: I never shop there...I love PUBLIX! Shopping there IS a pleasure!

I've refused to use Walmart's automotive service ever since an incident my friend had years ago.

She'd taken her truck in for an oil change and upon returning she was informed that the mechanic had accidentally taken her keys with him.

They refused to do anything and simply asked her to wait until he returned later that day.

@tbax929: OP never mentioned flushing in the post. First off it wouldn't cost 400 dollars at walmart. I'm guessing the DEALERSHIP flushed the transmission and charged op.

@Rusty-Shackleford: That's not how a manual car works.

@nstonep: My mistake, I own a modern car.

If I were walmart I'd only pay for a transmission of similar mileage as what walked in the door (+-10k miles). No telling what damage was already there prior. New tranny on an 75k+ vehicle (even with them at fault) is...dumb.

Now let's see if the dealer can actually install a transmission!?!

@riverstyxxx: You're first problem is buying tires at walmart.

Regardless...most tires up to H rated have manufacturer warranties that cover defects and wear (not nails, curbs, etc). Extended warranties are for road hazard (at most tire shops) but here's the deal: if they see road rash on your wheels they probably won't honor it (sign of abuse). If they notice your tires aren't inflated properly they'll probably deny it. There are other situations as well.

The point is this: road hazard is like 10 bucks for a couple of years and when you're spending over a 100 bucks per tire it makes sense if you live in the city/get flats, nails, screws every 6 months and have unrepairable V, W, Y, or Z tires. At least with a reputable place. Discount tire direct is okay but that's a west coast chain (they have online as well) otherwise I'd say go for A CORPORATE location of Goodyear, Firestone, etc. The franchisees will always nickle and dime you.

@esp13: Is it the CPS? Clutch position sensor?

@nstonep: It was mentioned in the first post, he said he took it to the dealership when it started slipping and they offered to replace it or attempt to fix it with a flush, which he did, and it didn't work.

Yes, this is how a maual transmission works. Some have switches, some dont, dont assume it does. Go to you local court house and pick up a book for getting your drivers lic. It should say not to try to start a car while its in gear unless the cluth is pressed. Ask a truck driver, ask any professinal driver. Come on guys, this is things you should have learned while you was 15.@nstonep:

@nstonep:
$400 is high even for a dealership. The most I've ever paid at a dealership for this service is $250. Maybe there was additional "diagnostic" charges and the total was $400.

I see Walmart on two different levels: the store level and the corporate level. The resolution we see here is on the corporate level. We would never see this kind of resolution on the store level where most of the horror stories we hear happen. The suits don't want to deal with this stuff. They've got bigger fish to fry and I'm sure they let the stores themselves know that they are responsible for their own conflict resolution...that is until a big problem hits their desks and then they have to take action.

Honestly, I don't see Walmart being a big evil giant. I think the problems you come across happen as a result of idiots at the store level running things and making sure that things don't escalate further than them.

I was the Support Manager for a Wal-Mart TLE for 2 years, this actually happens a lot and they are usually very good at fixing the issue that occurred. The problem is many people are hired that don't know much about cars and they try to fix screw-ups themselves. In 2 years the claims we had went up to about 25k due to 3 people never getting oil in there car after the change, few passats having transmission fluid drained(have to send to dealer) and a tech warping the chassis of a ford f350 by jacking up one tire 4 feet in the air with a lift.

The tire center doesnt make a ton of money, but is used as a way tp bring ppl to the store

*warning, check the consumer reviews, Walmart and JiffyLube can be dangerous to your car, only good news is they payout a ton.