Firestone Complete Auto Care

In the past I’ve had very good experiences at the Firestone location in Harbison. My last visit on Oct. 8, 2015 seemed to take a long time. Maybe it was because Columbia SC had just experienced their 1000 year flood. But this didn’t seem evident at the time. I drove in the day before hoping to get an oil change and fluid check but their parking lot was packed. I decided to call and make an appointment. I showed up on time for my 11am appointment and asked for a oil change, fluid and brake inspection and to find out what belt was squealing on start up and why. The representative was friendly and patient. He quoted a price of $ 25. Which included a coupon discount that I did not have or even mention. I thought that was good business practice and classy! That is reason enough to return. Bottom line is that it took an hour for them to move my vehicle into a bay. Another hour later a different rep told me that everything was fine and finished. I asked about the belt squeal which is what had originally prompted the appointment. The rep looked confused and said she’d go ask the mechanic. She returned and said all the belts are fine, no problems. I said that there is a loud squeal on startup which is getting worse. She said «he didn’t hear a squeal but they’re only $ 100 each to install.» «We can replace them both if you want.» I told her I wasn’t going to replace something that wasn’t broken. Especially bother belts! But I would like to how I could stop it. She ran back to talk to the mechanic. Thirty minutes later the mechanic came and told me that he thought that rust was causing the squeal, so he lubricated the area and it had stopped. I thanked him and paid the agreed amount of $ 25. I got in my vehicle and held my breath as i turned the key. Silence! I smiled and was suddenly okay with the 3 hours I spent waiting. The next morning however, I turnwd the key and was once again greeted with the very loud high pitch screech of the belt. Sorry neighbors! All in all I think they just had an off-​day. In the past I’ve had great service and never felt like they are trying to inflate my bill.