First, I was contacted by the independent investigator. He requested all information about service that had occurred since the oil change. I also asked him about the video documentation by Walmart. I told him that they had refused to show me the video but had reviewed. Interestingly enough he told me that Walmart only keeps the video for 30 days and then it is erased.

Hmmm… do you think that the Walmart manager lied when she said they had reviewed the video given the that the video had already been erased some 50 days previous.

The second bit of information that I discovered came when I found my bill and actually read it. I must say to everyone reading this, please read them before paying and keep them in case you misread it. It turns out that I had been charged for a full oil change and when I read the section which states how much oil was used to replace what had been drained…. IT SAID 1 LITRE!!! This confirms the findings of my mechanic who said that there was only 1 litre of oil in the engine when it was inspected.

This seems to be a open a closed case of incompetence, but…will that be the outcome? Now I guess I will see how the spin masters work and whether this impartial inspector is really impartial. I will keep everyone posted.

I have been informed that it will now go to their legal department, where an impartial investigator will inspect my car. When I asked why I could not choose the this investigator, they said with a smirk “that won’t work.” I find it hard to believe that a group hired by Walmart would be impartial.

I am thinking at this point I may have to buy a motor myself and then take Walmart to small claims court. Their strategy is simple.. take a person pay for their work and hope that they cannot afford court. Their hope is that the claimant will not go to court because they might be intimidated by the process. My advice to anyone that finds themselves at the stage when an”impartial” investigator comes to observe their vehicle, they should do the following:

1. Talk with your mechanic, make sure that you know all the things that must be inspected on your vehicle to look for tampering, leaks, or engine oil burning.

2. video tape the event so that you “observe” how detailed their examination is. See if they miss things that should be checked.

3. Bring this video to court, rest assured that they will come with their video of the technician putting oil into your car. Your video will show that you have done due diligence to support your case. Small claim courts like the little guy if they are prepared.

Interestingly there are no signs of leakage, no signs of oil burning in the engine ( spark plugs are usually covered in oil when the vehicle is burning oil). So I then called Walmart back.

The shop manager at Walmart said she had reviewed the video and that all had been done according to policy. When I asked if I could see the video I was told that I could only see it if I went to court.

Hmmmm….Sounds like a cover up to me. My fight continues as they are send their mechanics to my mechanic to inspect the vehicle. I am now waiting for a call from the district manager to see what he has to say.

Just a request to all others that are having the same problem. I ask that you use this site to give more detail in the process of your disputes with Walmart. The more information that is shared, the effective we can be in dealing with the company and their actions. At least that is my view. I will be updating my situation as it unfolds. I can see that there is already a pattern in what I have read here in this blog.

Perhaps it is time for us to have a a document to be signed by the service providers in regards to the terms that we will accept their service. Perhaps the only way that they can recieve payment for service is to show us the work prior to it being taken off the hoist is one of those criteria so that we can see that the filter has indeed been replaced properly and that the oil pan “o” ring has been replaced, same with tires, they must demonstrate that they have in fact tightened the bolts on you car’s new tires properly prior to payment.

Yes I think the consumer should have a terms of service agreement that protects their interests, not just one that protects the interests of the big companies like Walmart.

Something to think about…..

OR… do what a friend of my husband’ did…

Go back to that location and just start talking to people. Not emotional, not raising a big stink, just sharing the facts. Because of her experience, and the somewhere near $3000 damage caused to her vehicle because of their incompetence on a TIRE CHANGE, we will never have any service done at a Walmart. (Canadian Tire, either, but that’s a whole different thread. LOL) Anyway, they were brushing her off right up until she started telling everyone in the waiting area about what happened and they all started leaving and taking their business with them. At that point, realizing she was going to cost them thousands, they settled up and paid her bill real fast.

(FYI - Some of those quick oil change places have been known to forget to put oil caps back on so be careful if you use one of those, too.)