As I was driving into work on December 4, my vehicle shut down on me. Being familiar with the symptoms (as it has happened before and is a common problem on my vehicle model), I knew that the problem was a camshaft position sensor. I had a spare part with me, but was lacking the 10 mm wrench necessary to make the change. With a call to AAA, a tow truck was on the way. I wanted to have it taken to somewhere that could do the 10 minute job of changing the sensor, and I selected the AAA certified Bob Sumerel Tire and Service.
Upon arriving, I spoke with the service advisor, stating that I needed the cam position sensor changed. He told me that I would need a full diagnostic - that would be $120.
“Is that a diesel?” He asked.
“Yes.” I said.
“Well, it won’t be a full diagnostic because we don’t work on Diesels. But it will still be $120.”
“I don’t need a diagnostic. I just need the cam position sensor replaced.” I said.
“We will need to do the diagnostic.”
“Can I borrow a 10mm wrench?”
“No.” He said.
“Ok, where can I buy a wrench?”
“There are stores several blocks down the road. Auto Zone, Harbor Freight,...”
So, I walk out. My tow truck is leaving at this point. I walk about a half mile to Harbor Freight and purchase an $8 set of metric wrenches, walk back to my vehicle, slide under it and change the sensor. It took 10 minutes, the vehicle runs great now. I drive around to the front of the store and walk in.
“You got it going, huh?”
“Yes I did. And I hope this happens to you someday.”
He looked at me a bit puzzled.
“I hope that one day, you are trying to get to work and your vehicle breaks down. You know exactly what the problem is, but you don’t have the tool with you to fix it. You call AAA, wait 2 hours on the tow truck, have it towed to a place that supposedly can help. I hope that when you get there, they want to charge you $120 for a diagnostic you don’t need, and is the equivalent of what you can get for free at Auto Zone. Then I hope you ask to borrow a wrench, they tell you no, and you need to walk a mile in the cold without a coat (because you forgot that too), then lay under your vehicle in your good clothes to change the part with your new $8 wrench set.”
“Have a nice day!” I said and walked out.
What ever happened to helping a guy out? What was the harm in just doing the work I asked for? I would have gladly paid the labor to change the sensor. I’ll not be visiting Bob Sumerel ever again, they were no help whatsoever.