A couple weeks ago, I went to my local car-geek shop to get my suspension installed. I dropped it off at 11am, they told me it should be done around 3 or 4. So I walk back to my house (only 4 blocks away, thankfully) and wait patiently for a call. At 2 I got bored and walked to the shop to find out that they had just started on the rear, and hadn't touched the front. No problem, just as long as I get it back by the end of the day. 6pm...nothing...7pm...nothing...8pm...I'm ****ed, so I get my buddy to drive me over there (wind chill below 0). Thankfully, they had just finished up and were boxing up the old parts. As soon as I walk in, the owner says "Who was the last to remove these wheels?" I thought about it for a sec and remembered that I had gotten an alignment and balancing a couple months earlier at a major chain shop who will remain nameless. "Why do you ask? And what took so long?" I say. He tosses me my wheel lock key. The keyed part of the key was snapped off entirely and I look at my left front wheel and the peice of the key that is missing is stuck in the damn lock nut. Apparently, the nuts were torqued down soo hard that the key snapped. WTF???? Luckily, these guys did the back first before the key broke on the front wheel, but I felt bad cause these guys had to do the front without removing the wheels. I give them props for doing it that way and proving to me that they aren't retarded. Anyway, I went to the major chain the next day and they said they would cut them off and replace the lock nuts, but should I ask for a free alignment and balancing???? I think it's fair that I ask for it, but I'm concerned that this might happen again. Anyway, just felt like *****ing...aka bored at work.

 

damn that sucks. mad props to the guys for not taking the tires off and still doing the suspension. pretty impresive i think. anyways, good luck with the "major chain"

 

yeah man, these guys are no joke...they had 2 nice show cars...lost them both in a flood. Now they are working on a STi and 350Z as their new toys.