American Tire Depot – Bakersfield II

Setup an appointment online. They were having a buy 3 get the fourth free sale, so the price was a great draw. I went to checkout online and confirm the appointment, however the price of the free tire wasn’t being reflected in the subtotal. I tried to call in, but their phone system was having issues and they weren’t able to hear me well (ok, not their fault). I added a note to my order, explaining the situation and requested that they call me to confirm I’d be getting the discount.
After 2 hours, I hadn’t heard anything back yet, so I called again. This time he could hear me, but he couldn’t check my order because their internet was down (a little irritating, but again, not their fault). I gave the clerk my information over the phone, told him about my problem with the subtotal. He confirmed that they’d deduct the amount in-​store and that that is how they’ve always done it. (Why not have you system setup to reflect your sales and promotions? That’s ok, the guys in the shot didn’t setup the website and their friendly enough…) So I confirmed my appointment for 8:30 the following day.
I get a call back an hour later saying that they had just sold my tires to another customer and that those were the last four in stock… Ok, now i’m a little unimpressed. He said he could call the warehouse in Fresno and have my tires by 9. Sure, why not. It’s only a half hour and i don’t need my truck until the afternoon.
Next day at 9, I bring my truck into their shop on Rosedale. They are just barely starting to open the shop. I brought a printout of my order and appointment. The guy told me that they’d start on my truck as soon as they cleared one of their bays (apparently when they close, bring in all of the «display» tires into the bays to be stored overnight). No problem, that means they’ll be working on the truck around 9:30. An hour after my original scheduled appointment. But hey, I don’t need the truck until afternoon.
I get a call an hour later, saying that they did a brake inspection. I was told the front brakes needed to be replaced, which i was already aware of. Then I was told that the rotors were badly damaged and needed to be replaced. No, they weren’t, I checked them myself and they were fine. He said he’d give me a «screaming deal» to do the work. He tried to get me to pay almost $ 500 on top the tires. He gave me the total price with and without the brakes and rotors. I told him the price sounded to high, the math didn’t work out. Then I realized that he was trying to charge me for all 4 tires (not the buy 3 get one promotion price).
He argued that the promotion only covers tires that they have in stock. I told him that they were in stock until they put the tires I ordered onto another vehicle. That’s why my appointment got bumped and they had to order the tires from the warehouse. He claimed it wasn’t HIS fault that happened. (Sure, that’s true, but it wasn’t mine either. It WAS the fault of someone at their company and I’m not going to be punished for their mistake). He decided that I was right and honored the original price. Then he informed me that my tires weren’t going to be in stock until about 1pm…
At 2:45pm I call to see when my truck would be ready. Spent 15 minutes on hold and was told that they were balancing the last tire now. 30 more minutes. Upon arrival, I was told that the truck was ready and that I had been given an amazing price on the tires. The sales associate said he has no idea how I was able to talk anyone that low. The price he was referring to was the 4 for the price of 3 promotion that he’d been selling tires for all week…
Overall, I am extremely unimpressed with this business. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. The only reason that I came here was because of the price and the appointment time. Both of which they tried to change several times.
I’ve always done business with America’s Tires just down the road. Never had any major issues. They did everything in their power to help on the minor issues. I’ve always been happy with their service.
Go to America’s Tires. Avoid American Tire Depot.
**
UPDATE 1:
So about a week after posting this I received a message though Unilocal from Nicole, a customer service rep from American Tire Depot. She said that she read my negative review, was sorry that I had a bad experience. She then asked me to call or email her so that they «compensate me for my troubles».
Over the next week, I call twice and got her voicemail. I left a message both times. A week after that, I sent an email stating that I’d called twice and had yet to receive a response.
Three days later, she emailed me and said that she passed my complaint along and I should hear from someone today.
So, 2−½ weeks in 2 promises and no follow through.
**
UPDATE 2
Week 3, Received a message from Bobby, the general manager. He said he saw my review and I should contact him so he can earn my business back.
I responded.
That was two weeks ago. So far… nothing.

Short version:
1. Misdiagnosed problem, went chasing bigger, more expensive problems unnecessarily
2. Hardly gave me call, I always had to check on them
3. Held my car for 10 days, did not get it fixed
4. Let me drive off in unsafe vehicle.
5. Used my car for lunch runs
Long version:
Don’t ever take your car here, unless you hate yourself, or your car. My last review would have been great compared to the experience I had when I was asked to come back so that the new manager could «make it right». I took my car back in summer of 2015 to «make it right», and it end up costing me a lot of money and headache. I tried reaching out to corporate but never received a response, so here goes the review. It’s a good one.
I hit a pothole while driving home from work and my brakes suddenly became spongy. I took my car to this place because i had just received an email from the manager to come in for a free service, so I thought I’d give it a shot.
Brought the car in on a Wednesday morning. They tell me it would be a quick check… I call back that afternoon. Manager tells me I need new front rotors, front brake bads, and to fix the spongy issue I need to replace the master cylinder. Total: $ 698. I have them do it. (no free service btw, but besides the point).
I hear back at 6:20 pm that night telling me car is ready. On the way there, get a call from manager saying «my mechanic just got back from a test drive, the brakes are good but the check engine light came on, can we keep the car another day». Normally I would have reluctantly agreed but I needed the car for a trip the next day. So he tells to me to keep coming and «we’ll figure it out».
As I arrive, manager is putting away code reader and says «we figured it out». I pay the bill, get the keys and head to the car. Before I was even in my car the manger and mechanic had closed up shop and booked it out of there. I start driving my car away and immediately notice that the brakes WERE WORSE than before. The car was completely unsafe to drive, and had I not done a quick brake check at the start I may have easily gotten into an accident on the busy Rosedale Hwy. Also, a new problem arose, the back brakes were grinding/​rattling around! I had to stop on my way home, pull the car over and tried calling the manager, but of course they were long gone. I continued to drive home, slowly, and when I arrived there was a huge cloud of smoke coming from the tires.
I tried calling again, this time with the hope of just leaving a message, but to my surprise the manager answers. I tell him whats going on and he says something to the effect of «I had a problem with my mechanic and that’s why I’m back in the store right now» and vaguely skirts the issues when I press for more info. Problem with the mechanic? Did my car just get sabotaged?!
We agree to have me drop the car off early in the morning, so they can try and fix it, again.
So I drop the car off early Thursday morning on my way out of town. I hear nothing from them all day, so I give them a call at the end of the day. Manager tells me he thinks the brake booster is bad, and says he will get it taken care of, free of charge. I hear nothing from them the rest of the weekend, and assume it was taken care of.
The following Monday, I give them a call when they open asking about the car. This time, a new person answers who I hadn’t met. I ask new person about the car and he is more confused than anyone… doesn’t even know what car I’m talking about. I tell him the type of car and he tells me he will get back. I hear nothing from him for awhile so I call back again. I ask where the manager is, and he tells me that the manager doesn’t work there anymore. WHAT?!
Turns out the new person is the new manager, which explains why he didn’t know anything about it, I guess. He goes on to ask me if I had received a quote yet to put the booster in my car. At this point I couldn’t help but laugh. Not only have they not done anything to fix it, they are now saying I’m going to have to pay for their mistake?
Well, I explain the situation, he tells me he’ll get the work done. So I don’t hear anything back from him the entire day.
Now it’s Tuesday. Once again I don’t hear anything, so I call at the end of the day asking about it. They tell me they are still working on getting the part.
Finally, on Wednedsay, they call me! New manager informs me that they replaced the booster and that the brakes «feel a little better but still not quite there». He informs me now that they think it is a bad ABS module. He asks If I would like to proceed in getting it replaced. I tell him to get a quote but do not do any work on it. I get a call the next day telling me that the part is $ 1500, but that they would take care of the labor «for my trouble».
Long story short, I took my car to another place, told them of the issues I had. They looked at it, and told me the new booster they put in was bad so they replaced it. (How did ATD not test it!?)

Service is alway amazing here. I have gone to them for all my oil changes and most recently I had a tire alignment done. I am never disappointed here! They offer great prices and actually do an amazing job. I highly recommend taking your cars here, they are very reliable.

They saved me on a Sunday trying to make my way home to the bay area! When my tire de-​laminated on I-​5 on a Saturday night in Buttonwillow and all I had was a donut to get me the 250 miles home wasn’t going to happen, no place was open by the time AAA had changed my tire to get a replacement, got a motel room for the night and was able to find this place on-​line that was open Sunday, other wise I would have had to wait til Monday. Got there at 10 am and was back on the road with a new tire by 11:15 am. They only had one style of tire in stock that fit my car but at that point i was not choosy. And was able to make it home in time for dinner.

Went in for a flat repair, rotation and balance. We purchased the tires from them about 2 years ago. I was told rotations and balances would be a free service if I purchased tires through them. We also purchased the additional road hazard coverage for any flat repairs or other issues we had.
They were unable to find that we paid for the road hazard coverage coverage and we were required to show our original reciept. Left the car for 2 hours and recieved no calls from the shop, we had to call to see if our vehicle was ready. When I picked up the vehicle I recived no paperwork and upon looking at the vehicle, no rotation or balance had been completed. I was then told I would have to pay for a balance but my rotation would be free but I once again would have to wait.
Each time I come back to this shop I get a different story and multiple hours wait. I will no longer be purchasing from them.

Update 11÷6÷15: I rated them 2 stars earlier this year for dropping the ball on repairs for shocks, and another repair on coils and plugs.
I vowed never to return for anything but tires, but then I had a warranty issue on a repair job for engine mounts. So I returned and was treated like a king. The shop has a new manager, brought in from Corporate to turn the store around. Some employees were let go, so it’s like a new shop. The manager was very honest and forthright. I respect that a lot and will give them another chance.
Original review 4÷10÷15:
They have good prices on tires but don’t trust them for anything else! I gave them two chances and they blew them both.
They told me I needed engine mounts and new front shocks. They quoted me the price and were «anxious» to get the job started. I said «show me.» They proved the engine mounts but the shocks were not leaking… it was the car next to mine! If I hadn’t asked, I would’ve paid for an unnecessary job! Honest mistake? Hard to say, but either way, sloppy!!!
So i gave them another chance on my other vehicle. The engine was misfiring and I knew that a coil had gone bad cuz I went through this 2 years ago. They said I needed to replace all 4 coils and all cables. I asked why cuz they’re all just 2 years old. They said they couldn’t be certain it was the coil and not the cable, so I told them to swap 2 coils and see if the error code moves to another cylinder. Sure enough, it did, proving that it was the coil! Even still, why replace all 4 when it was only one cylinder? So I’m a better troubleshooter than they are? Or did they just wanna sell me unnecessary parts? The guy was offended/​embarrassed as we were discussing this in front of other customers, and he got a little rude with me. I took my business elsewhere and will never return.

Love this place– Go see Rick! He is the best! I have been coming here for 3 years and I have them take care of everything and my car runs great! Thank you! Highly recommend! Wonderful customer service! Julie forever customer :)

Staffs were accommodating and answered my questions pretty well. Always a wait at least half and hour or more here.

The front desk guy is super friendly and assured me it was no problem getting me in even though I was late! Can’t be good customer service and a friendly attitude these days!

The service here is always awesome! Super friendly and accommodating staff, and they have ALWAYS done a wonderful job.

This place is terrible. They tried to charge my girlfriend for two new tires and only installed one. I wouldn’t trust them and will never go back.

Never going here again. Horrible communication skills, did not follow through finishing the job, and extremely unprofessional. I brought my car in to get new tires, found out I needed new shocks as well. We ended up leaving it there over night and they told me to come back at 10am the next morning and it would be done. Went back at 10am the next morning and they told me they did not get the shocks in, so to bring back to car the next day at 10am and they would would get me in and out in an hour. Called at 9:50 the next and they did not have the shocks in yet, they told me to come in at 11am. Went in at 11am and they told me it would take all day! When I went back at 6pm to pick up my car, they told me they only did 3 shocks and I would have to bring in my car AGAIN!!! So TODAY at 10:30am I went and dropped off my car for them to do the one remaining shock. If the guy originally told me 4 shocks would take an hour, you would think one shock would take a little less, right? It is now almost 2:00pm and I called to find out the progress and they said it would take all day again! I am never going back there again. I’m extremely disappointed in the service and almost anticipating being told I have to come back for some reason for a 4^th time when I pick up my car. I will definitely take my business somewhere else!
UPDATE: I not only had to go back a 4^th time, but a 7^th time and the could not figure it out! HORRIBLE!!! They sent me to the Stine location which is AMAZING! IF YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO THIS TIRE DEPOT GO TO THE STINE LOCATION!!! The Rosedale location is a joke!

Such a great business and group of employees! Went in for an oil change and was in and out in a flash!

Slow and unprofessional service. I was promised an hour and a half service it turned into 3 hours. They seem to take on more than they can handle. I will not be using them again.

I went here to check if my tires and wheel alignment were okay after getting hit on the freeway!
The person I called was very kind and he happened to be the guy who helped me with my service and find an outlet for iPhone charger. The service was very fast and I liked that the service was free for inspection. After the inspection he told me there was a slight alignment issue but didn’t pressure me to fix it.
Well thank you for the great service, if I am every in the area again I would definitely come back.

Took good care of me. They fixed my breaks and gave me a tune up. Less espensive then places I have been before. They were cool about me leaving me vehicle there for a few days do to my busy schedule. I will be returning.

Absolutely love this place. After going to the dealer for service for the last 7 years and dealing with their failures, I came here for the professionalism I got on the phone. The brake service I got last time was perfectly done (unlike the dealer did 12k mi before). Right now I’m waiting on a transmission flag the dealer failed to do during a transmission warranty replacement (the dealer emptied the transmission fluid into a reservoir, replaced the transmission and put the old fluid into the new transmission). They caught that here during the brake replacement last week, I had forgotten.

I haven’t bought tires, but it’s a great place to get an oil change.

These guys are awesome! They got me right in and were very friendly and had a great sense of humor that made the wait go by quickly. Overall service is affordable and prompt. I am definitely going to be back! :)

I cannot even begin to explain how great this location is. First of all, they have an incredible oil change deal for Unilocalers. When you check in, you get another $ 10 off coupon. When I needed all new brakes, my rotors cleaned up (polished? re-​surfaced? something), and an oil change, they actually talked about how Unilocalers are awesome and they worked with my on the price! Louis (or do you spell it Lewis?) was AWESOME. Super friendly. I made my appointment online and everything went well.
Make an appointment (you can do it online, holllaaaa) because they’re always pretty busy. Do you know why? Because they’re GREAT.
I love that they put customers first. It’s even cooler that they’re totally on top of how powerful Unilocal is.
If you need your car checked out, I urge you to consider taking it here. I never felt like they were taking advantage of me. I’ve found a lot of places, as soon as they see you’re a woman, try to pull fast ones on you. I never felt like that with them, and I’m grateful.
I’m so grateful I decided to trust Unilocal and go check them out. :)