Sears Auto Center

Update: I called to check on the tires that were ordered and Same Salesman #1 answered the phone.
When he found out it was me, he began ‘Yesterday, I looked to see if I could order them…’ This was 7 days after my first encounter with them. 7 DAYS AFTER he told me he would order them and he is just now looking to see if he CAN order them. If I could give Sears Auto negative stars, I would.
Word of advice: Never buy in store from Sears. The salesman have no clue. Buy online.
And If anyone is wondering what I did, I bought the original tire I wanted online. Right tire, right size, no problem.

The new manager Jim «Kirby» really turned things around at the store. I had a horrible experience the last time I came to the store with a different manager and he made up for it at my recent visit. The store is a lot cleaner, the employees are better trained, and operations seem more organized under his management. Sears definitely listens to their customers!

So for years Sears has been on a bit of a decline — shocker, I know! — but it seems like their auto center is always a good bet. Well I’m sad to say that the Billings Sears Auto Center just doesn’t quite make the grade. I went in on a Sunday to get a tire fixed. I stood in the front of the store for about 5 minutes while the counter attendant did something on the computer and did not acknowledge me. After he finally stopped playing WOW and realized he had a customer, I explained what I needed done and told him which car was mine. He responded «Gimme your keys.» Hmm. So I handed him my keys and he went out to check my car. He let me know that they could fix my car and that it would be about 30 minutes and without saying anything else turned around and walked away. Why yes, I would love a bottle of water and a magazine while I wait! Sheesh. So i strolled around the neighboring stores for about 45 minutes and returned expecting my car to be done. Not the case. I again stood in the front, this time for over 10 minutes, even opened the door a few times so the bell would ding. Finally the attendant came back out and let me know my car wasn’t done. Took another 30 minutes and 2 shop attendants gawking at me before I finally got out of there! Yikes. So all in all Sears, here are the lessons to be learned. 1. Customers in person always trump computer work. 2. Be polite and offer your customers to sit or have a beverage while waiting. 3. Have work done when you say you will and if that’s not possible, politely apologize. Very easy.