Les Schwab Problems

[tdigger10]

Sometimes you get a crappy LS I just changed store locations and found one that doesn't seem like complete idiotes and stuck with them

[runningboard]

when I bought my Charger the dealer had already installed wheel/tires from LS but I didn't like 'em, they agrred to take them off & I could to LS & get what I liked since they sold the  stock wheel/tire combo already. the wheels I had to choose because of the air valve are okay but not what I wanted, the air sensor sticks straight out instead of laying flush & I aways tell people changing my tires this before they start, LS employees have broken 3 of them @ $180 each, they always pay it after an argument but they were always warned.
when they installed my winter tires they didn't get a good seal on one & within a mile it was going flat so I whipped around & took it back, too late, tire separating, nope, took it to 6 diferent LS locations & no one would admit tire was bad & finally in Spokane a kid who got pissed at me because I told him if you guys can't tell that tire is no good at least put it on the back so it doesn't shake the steering wheel, little *censored* cranked up his air wrench and it took a breaker bar with a long pipe to get 'em off. overtightened lugs warped the rotors and ruined brakes. but the local LS is 1 of the best, honest good guys who will tell you about something wearing & maybe take another look in 6-8 months, no "replace it now or die" kind of salesmanship.

[KopperBuck]

I did have a good experience here in WW, out by Walmart. I have some serious skids on a Tacoma that I just use to haul hay around at here, never leaves the place. Hit an old shoe nail and popped it. I told the guys I know the tire has seen it's better days but because I was asking if they'd try since I just use it as a hay hauler. Sure enough they fixed it. I've had tires in WAY better condition and have a shop refuse to work on it.

I also had real good experiences with the Spokane Valley shop on Broadway. They're rarely busy b/c they're kind of tucked out of the way. Worked with them for 3 years.

[ANDERWAGON]

I’ve been watching this thread for a while now. I’d like to share my experience with Les Schwab. I worked for Les Schwab’s Largest Member Dealer for roughly six years. Over that time they taught me a lot. Some of the things I learned there were discipline, custom service, manners and most important how to listen to and treat people.

This would be my advice to you. If you have had a bad experience with a store voice your concern once at the store. If the problem is not being addressed appropriately take your business and issue to another Les Schwab store. You need to find a Manager that believes in the philosophies that have made the business. There are many ways another store can make things right by you. They can also back bill the other store for the parts and labor it took to correct your issue.

One good experience might be mentioned to a couple people, one bad experience will reach a hundred.

Last thing I would say is that one person doesn’t make a company.

[Bean Counter]

...
One good experience might be mentioned to a couple people, one bad experience will reach a hundred.

...

Conventional wisdom in the business world is that satisified customers tell three of their friends or family about the experience, dissatisfied customers tell nine 

[ANDERWAGON]

...
One good experience might be mentioned to a couple people, one bad experience will reach a hundred.

...

Conventional wisdom in the business world is that satisified customers tell three of their friends or family about the experience, dissatisfied customers tell nine 

I believe this to be true when it comes to word of mouth but now days with the internet once something negative is posted it reaches many more eyes and ears and never goes away. 

Think about how good someone's experience would have to be for them to post something?

[whacker1]

...
One good experience might be mentioned to a couple people, one bad experience will reach a hundred.

...

Conventional wisdom in the business world is that satisified customers tell three of their friends or family about the experience, dissatisfied customers tell nine 

I believe this to be true when it comes to word of mouth but now days with the internet once something negative is posted it reaches many more eyes and ears and never goes away. 

Think about how good someone's experience would have to be for them to post something?

I can't agree more.  Between forums of all kinds and facebook type posts.  I read several a week about some restaurant that had sub par service, Les Schwabs type establishments, electronics or appliance failures (brand), etc.  I will say that I do read a fair amount of good feedback as well.  So I would say the old rule of thumb 3 postive and 9 negative is up significantly to 6-12 positive and 20-100 negative.  I think it is generational, but this post has been read 494 times.  How many of those are repetitive like me, or others that have posted multiple times, I don't know, but if you dived by 5 you have roughly 100 unique views.  I am sure that is not accurate, but illustrates the point.

[Gobble Doc]

I agree that in general people tend to post more complaints rather than positive experiences.  But, when I think about this Les Schwab series of events it was pretty pathetic.  There was actually more that I didn't post the first time.  When my brakes ended up making the grinding noise it was because the brake pads had worn through to the metal and it was grinding on the rotors.  This means that I had my brakes looked at by at least 3 different guys at 2 different locations and not once did they mention that the brake pads were getting thin or might need replacement soon.  Plus every time I went up to the counter I was lookin at a huge banner up on the wall that stated "BRAKE EXPERTS".  Plus, when I finally had the new set installed I ended up leaving with now a new problem.  An electronic clicking sound everytime I touched the brake pedal.  It was explained to me that the new sound was probably coincidental with the cold weather, not that the brakes had just been "repaired"    Just saying that I don't often call out a business for poor performance but this was extra bad.

[ANDERWAGON]

 Gobble Doc, I never said that you were wrong for making this post and agree that you got poor service.  I gave you some advice and simple stated some facts about service feedback. I can see your frustration and never meant to add to it. At this point if I were you I would print this entire thread out then take it and your vehicle to a different LS store. I'm sure the response from the store will be this should never have to go this far.

Is the clicking constant when you apply the brakes? Is it just once each time you apply the brakes?

[trippledigitss]

I had nearly the same exact problem with LS about 15-20 yrs ago. Took my car in for brakes and they screwed them up. Had a pad pop loose from the front - dont ask me how. Took it back and heard loud clicking after that ever since they "fixed" it. Went back several times only to be told a new excuse every time. I had charged the work on an account that I had used to buy wheels & tires on. I stopped paying and took them to court. Basically judge said "Les, fix the brakes" "Tripple - pay the bill". Long story short, they never did fix the brakes after about 10-12 attempts - later car was stolen & totaled, paid off all of the account off except brake charges - fought it on my credit and with LS for a year or two before they finally settled for about $75. Was not worth the headache and still brings back painful memories today. In fact I cringed when I saw the title of this thread. Havent set foot in a Les Schwab since - and never will.

[Gobble Doc]

Thanks Anderwagon.  I appreciate your thoughts on this. 

I've got a 4WD Tacoma and the clicking sound now comes from the gear shifter area when then the brake pedal is applied.  Like some kind of selenoid.  I know that there is an interlock mechanism so that you can't shift out of park until you push the brake.  It just didn't used to make any loud clicking noise. 

[Special T]

I think its kinda ironic that many of you have had brake problems.  Correct me if i'm wrong, but the reason why brake jobs are more $$$ at LS is because they replace calipers and pads for a brake change. This is supposed to reduce error and make warranty issues less of one, and if there is a warrenty issue the manufacturer is supposed to take care of it....

[JJB11B]

Every time Les Schwabs touches my rig they say I need a brake job... I have a 40x40 shop at home with a hydraulic lift and all the tools I guy could ever need, I had just done my brakes not 2 weeks before I took my truck in for an alignment. when they were done they said "you need new brakes" and handed me a quote for nearly 500 bucks. I had them walk me to my truck then lift it up and show me the brakes. Then I pulled out my wallet and handed them the reciept for the Wagner Pads and the 20 bucks to have my buddies shop turn my rotors. They apologized and said it must have been a mistake. I think I will stop doing business with them all together. Costco has WAY better prices on tires. I dont need the Schwabs Warranty. If my tires are defective I will take them back to costco. I can rotate my own tires and pay the someone I know to do the alignments. To heck with this selling me crud I dont need.

[trippledigitss]

Every time Les Schwabs touches my rig they say I need a brake job... I have a 40x40 shop at home with a hydraulic lift and all the tools I guy could ever need, I had just done my brakes not 2 weeks before I took my truck in for an alignment. when they were done they said "you need new brakes" and handed me a quote for nearly 500 bucks. I had them walk me to my truck then lift it up and show me the brakes. Then I pulled out my wallet and handed them the reciept for the Wagner Pads and the 20 bucks to have my buddies shop turn my rotors. They apologized and said it must have been a mistake. I think I will stop doing business with them all together. Costco has WAY better prices on tires. I dont need the Schwabs Warranty. If my tires are defective I will take them back to costco. I can rotate my own tires and pay the someone I know to do the alignments. To heck with this selling me crud I dont need.

Wow - serious? That is too much! They actually told you that you needed new brakes and they were just done? That is just too much. Worries me about what they tell other people who wouldnt know any better, starting with my wife, mom & M.I.L. At least I check stuff like that on my wife's car myself. We found a guy that lives nearby and works at a local auto shop who has his own legal business on the side so I have him do work on our cars that I wont or dont want to do. He has a shop at his house and anything he doesnt have there he can take the cars to his work and use their equip on lunch or after work. He charges me $70/hr for labor so it aint real cheap but it does save me money and most of all I trust him. He'll even come down to my house & help me out if I stuck on something I am doing myself, he's done that a couple times with no charge. Also, he's let me make payments to him when I didnt have all the dough - thats a HUGE help right there....

[MikeWalking]

Les schwab isn't really any different than any other franchise business. Mechanical stuff sucks in general.. The best thing to do is find a good place that treats you right and go back... and tel. a friend about it. There are good and bad LS locations you found a bad one AND a fair one... Some of the best places i have had mechanical work done are small mom and pop shops. 

I've been to LS in: Ballard, Kenmore, North Bend, Ritzville, Okanagan and Silver Lake.  Been treated like gold and happy with them all.  Zero problems...almost.   Silver Lake in on the Stink Sheet from now on.  Left with the same f'ed up RF Caliper that had me come in to begin with.  Knew I was due for new rotors and took Jackalope's advise for upgrades.  Next day same chirping "oh it's normal for a bit"   No.  Manager went for a ride with me, put it up on the rack...um  bad axle seal? bearing maybe?  He recommended someone else.

Had my much smarter than me buddy help out.  A good dose of brake cleaner and put it back together. BINGO. 

Should have left before the Brake job, there was an older guy ripping the manager a new one over something and someone looking ready too.