Wal-Mart Complaint - Wal-Mart Gave My Car Away to A Complete Stranger - Automotive

Posted by Sparticus on 2006-11-07:

We need a bit more information on this one. For instance, why did Walmart have your car keys to begin with? I have a feeling this story is going to get more bizarre the more we know.... but that is just my hunch.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

What are you talking about?? Why did Walmart have your vehicle in the first place? If it doesn't make sense, it may not be true, and this complaint makes no sense. JMO!

Posted by wary-consumer on 2006-11-07:

This sounds a little fishy,IS this realy true??....Please give more info. Did you file a report with the police? Did you get your car back yet? And yes Wal-Mart IS liable-they are bonded and have insurance for this sort of thing due to thier negligence. Even if you may have signed a waiver releaseing them from responsiblity for losses incurred, you have a resonable expectation they will not be negilgent-which the were in this case. GET A LAYWER-It sounds like you may have a good case here from what you have said so far.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

And you moved because you had mail in the car?? Wouldn't it have made more sense to "change" your house locks?? Now I really don't believe this complaint. Glad my lunch break is over.

Posted by wary-consumer on 2006-11-07:

Sparticus and Skye, I assume Wal-Mart had the vehicle to repair and service in Wal-Marts Auto Department and that would require the poster to give them the keys to their car- Makes sense to me....

Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-11-07:

I don't know about this one, I'll have to think about it.

Posted by Sparticus on 2006-11-07:

Ahh... thanks wary-consumer. That would/might make sense. I'm curious to hear back from the poster with more details. The part about actually moving from their home is a bit unbelievable.

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-07:

I took my car in for a tire repair and entrusted my vehicle to Wal-Mart and they released it to a stranger. My story has been on TV ( abc13.com) and on Telemundo. the Houston Chronicle did a piece( www.houstonchronicle.com) titled "Wal-Mart is Unlike Oprah" My story is on www.walmartwatch.com and www.sprawlbuster.com . How do I add the specifics I'm new to this website???

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

I am not assuming anything. I never assume anything, and I mean it. Come on, they had to move because they had mail in the car? I think it's a joke, or this person is confused.

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-07:

I did change my locks that same day, but single and living by myself knowing that someone out there had my house keys and personal info made me feel unsafe. I took my car in for a tire replacement. I had warrenty on the tires which I had just bought months prior.

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-07:

I have hired an attorney and I protested this store this past weekend. I don't want this to happen to anyone else!!!!

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

Did you ever get your car back?? What did the police do? I looked at the sprawlbuster site, but couldn't find the story.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

Time to close my laptop. I feel sorry for this situation, and I have so many questions, but have to get back to some crazy barking dogs, and mean cats.

Posted by wary-consumer on 2006-11-07:

Martita, Did you file a police report on you stolen car?

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-07:

sprawlbusters.com you go under newsflash and scroll down to horror story in Houston Texas Wal-mart my whole story is on there. and yes I filed a police report

Posted by rhondam718732 on 2006-11-07:

She CLEARLY gave her keys to Walmart for the tire repair/replacement. She tells us this in the first few sentences...what is confusing about that?? I think it's a disaster what happened and scarry. I say keep fighting Martita...access to your home, etc. Walmart should be held accountable. I'm curious...how long did someone else have your car and when did you get it back and how?

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-07:

sprawlbusters.com you go under newsflash and scroll down to horror story in Houston Texas Wal-mart my whole story is on there. and yes I filed a police report

Posted by wary-consumer on 2006-11-07:

Wow this really is true!! Check out the news link http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=local&id=4582317

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-07:

I will be replying to any other comments left. I must return to work now, but will be coming back on to respond later on today

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-07:

thank you wary-consumer for researching my story. I am telling the truth and I will continue to make the public aware... I will be back on a little later

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

Wow, holy guacamole. Marita, I truly apologize for any doubts. Some people due post bogus stuff here, so I had some doubts. What kind of car did you have?? The article doesn't mention that?? Did you get a lawyer?? Can you sue the person?? I have to get back to work again, but I am very intrigued at this story. Terrible, absolutely terrible :(

Posted by wary-consumer on 2006-11-07:

Here is the like to the houston chronicle story---http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/4301628.html.......One more thing even if the man was handed the keys by an employe, or if the man found the keys and drove off they were still negligent becasue you have a resonable expectation they will secure your keys while they are are entrusted with your cars casre. Wal-mart has no legal grounds for fighting you here and are only trying to save a buck at your expense. I'm surprised your insurance caompany is not pursuing a claim against Wal-Mart- If I were you I would push your insurance company to do this, because they have deep pockets.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

If she doesn't have comprehensive, they won't do anything, meaning the insurance. Does anyone know what kind of car she had?

Posted by wary-consumer on 2006-11-07:

The Houston chronicle says its a 1999 (Pontiac) Grand Am worth about $6000-$7000. And since here insurance company totalled it when it was found(as stated in the Houston Cronicle's story), her insurance policy evidenty covers it and could go after Wal-Mart then.

Posted by Slimjim on 2006-11-07:

It's bizarre to say the least. I'm curious that the thief must have known enough that a woman brought it in, she wasn't on site, AND no money was due to reclaim it. You would have to be armed with some info to just walk up and say that's my wife's car and I'm here to pick it up. Possible inside job?? Regardless, your attorney should have no problem showing Wal-Mart is libel here. I doubt it would even make it to court before Wal-Mart settled with you (or your insurance carrier).

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

So she did get something. That's good. I still cannot believe those idiots at wally world did that to her. Maybe it was an inside job???? And I thought the fricked up stuff only happened to me. I hope she was able to get another vehicle.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

slim we must of been posting at the same time!! My thoughts exactly about an inside job.

Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-11-07:

Ordinarily, I don't get my vehicles, collectibles or no - serviced at Walmart. However, that being said, I've never heard of anyone paying "up front" before service, and therefore something is due before the keys are released to a customer. I doubt it's an "inside job," as certainly even a jr. gumshoe would certainly check there first. A clueless clerk would be to blame, if this really occured.

Posted by lobo65 on 2006-11-07:

Yeesh. Just one more reason I won't let Wal-Mart near my car.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

Could it be no money was exchanged because it was done under a warranty?? The whole thing is fishy, and the employee who released the car, needs to be looked into more then what they have done.

Posted by Slimjim on 2006-11-07:

Pirate, Martita supplied us with links to news reports, confirming Wal-Mart is working with the local police on this. What exactly do you need to figure out this actually happened?

Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-11-07:

Gee slim, guess you believe everything that's on TV and in print. Here's a hint, the easter bunny isn't real. I couched my statement with an "if." What part of my post of the English language is so difficult for you to understand? LOL

Posted by wary-consumer on 2006-11-07:

Skye and Slim...I have my doubts about it being an inside job. if you read the uncontested facts in the articles, it can be infrred that:- A man (Crackhead) was hanging arround and bothering the Auto Dept all day so he saw customers commming and going- therefore knowing a lady owned this car. Furthermore, in the police report the employee says "the man jumped in the car and drove off." Wal-mart should not have allowed the "crackhead" access to that area and was negligent. Also if this guy was "bothering them all day" he should have been escorted out, just as the reporters investigating this story were. Slim, Wal-mart is fighting tooth and nail to not admit any liabilty as evidenced by their Denial her Claim by Wal-marts so-called "Claim Dept". They refuse to give any info or surveillance tape until forced toby subeona because they know they are liable and just hope she will go way so they can keep their profits highest. Their claim dept is sham and anything but....It more appropriately should be called the Wal-Mart Liablity Cover-Up Dept.

Posted by Slimjim on 2006-11-07:

Wary, I just read the more detailed "Oprah" news version. It does appear to shed more light on how this could have happened. It still sounds like Wal-Mart's problem to me. Of course these uncontested facts are in print, which I understand should be disregarded for some reason.

Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-11-07:

I'll take that as your pathetic attempt at admitting you're wrong - AGAIN!

Posted by missmeganbunny on 2006-11-07:

The first few people that commented on this story asked "why did Walmart have your keys/vehicle to begin with?". I guess these people-- sort of like Paris Hilton-- don't KNOW that yes, Walmart is actually a cheap place to get your car serviced. And no, they don't sell walls.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-11-07:

Any time you leave your car for repair, you should only leave the car keys...NEVER leave your house keys with them...

Posted by *Brenda* on 2006-11-07:

Something about this doesn't make sense to me. Why would you MOVE and not just change your locks? I'd like for the OP to answer that...

Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-11-07:

Siffer, even warranty work needs an owner's signature, and likely an ID. Once again you prove that you know nothing about the real world, and that you're a troll and a slimjim fake ID. Grow up, Dork.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

Hey, don't ever compare me to that uselese twit, Pee Hilton. I don't shop Walmart, and only take my 2006 vehicle to the dealer. The cheap always comes out expensive, and this story proves it.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

And they don't sell Walls. Is that supposed to be funny??

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-07:

Brenda, she said she moved somewhere in here because she wsa a single woman, who had changed the locks, but still didnt'feel safe. I only read one article, not all the other Oprah detailed reports, so I didnt' know anything about some crackhead hanging around. It really is a crappy thing to have your car stolen, as I also have had a car stolen, and still feel violated.

Posted by *Brenda* on 2006-11-07:

Oh I didn't see that Skye. I can understand feeling violated. A few months ago my car got broken into and a bunch of things stolen. I also had things in there with my address, name, phone number, etc. on it. I still think moving is a HUGE overreaction. I mean, hell, a thief can break into your home no matter where you live. They don't have to know your address to do it. There are bad people all around you that may or may not do something to harm you. That doesn't mean you live in fear and MOVE because of it!

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-08:

I agree Brenda, that moving was a little over the top. You are so right, there are bad people everywhere. When my car was stolen, we were in the process of moving anyway, and I didn't have anything in the car, other then my work badge. It still is such a lousey feeling though ya know.

Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-11-08:

Compelling.

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-08:

Yes isn't it. Better than TIVO :}

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-08:

Hey missmeganbunny, you are Pee Hilton aren't you. I just read your review about that stupid garage that kept screwing you regarding your car. You went back 3 times!!!ha ha ha. And you have the nerve to insult some of us over here. Goodbye

Posted by *Brenda* on 2006-11-08:

It really is a lousy feeling. They got my cd/radio, CD's and I guess change that was in the drink holder. Oh and they spilled a soda. It really does stink. I think without the "making me move" thing this complaint is totally valid. It's just that part that throws it off.

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-08:

I have added to my post for all of you who just can't understand why I moved. I had no idea that coming on this site to make people aware would like this..

Posted by Skye on 2006-11-08:

It's a rough crowd.

Posted by *Brenda* on 2006-11-08:

Well.... not to scare you or anything but if he wants to find you he will. He already has info from your mail...

Posted by Martita on 2006-11-09:

I just protested this Wal-Mart this past weekend. You can all go to www.the1960sun.com I made front page.....

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-11-10:

One thing that I still don't understand...who hangs around a Wal-Mart auto repair and walks up to the counter to pick up a car knowing they would have to PAY for the repair or in this case tires in order to get the keys in the first place? If this really did happen, I would say it was an inside job...did you ask how the person got your car if he didn't pay for it? Even for tires, I never heard of them being paid before the work was done...or does Wal-Mart have their own way of doing business?

Posted by wary-consumer on 2006-11-10:

Debtbasher- Didn't you read the articles??...The work was covered under warranty- that is why they didnt have to pay. I have no doubt after reseaching all the info the OP gave and links to articles that shee is telling th truth and Wal-mart is covering up thier negligence to save a buck at the OP's expense.

Posted by scrub_of_joy on 2009-09-17:

Read what you sign before you sign it. When you sign the handheld for services there you are signing a waiver of their responsibility for lost, or stolen items. including the vehicle. If it is NOT in their garage, they are NOT liable.

Posted by wofawarrior on 2009-11-19:

I hope you got an attorney. and walmart should be held accountable.
as for the rest of the responces
what a bunch of idiots

Posted by goduke on 2009-11-19:

I just have to ask, wofawarrior, why are you finding something 3 years old to comment upon?

Posted by wofawarrior on 2009-11-19:

no problem, saw it and responded. I thought what happened was bad enough, the responses to this really bothered me.
Her safety was an issue. would like to know how it turned out.