TB
Tural Binnat
Apr 9, 2026
I am sharing this experience to inform others and to highlight the importance of professionalism and accountability in automotive service.
I brought my vehicle to Adirondack Tire & Service, located at 1610 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203, to install two tires and to have the front tires inspected, as they had gone flat after the installation. The first time I noticed the tires were flat was on March 1, 2026, and I initially assumed it was due to the weather and the cold temperatures outside.
I took the vehicle back to the shop on March 18, 2026, regarding the flat tire issue. The flat tire problem was resolved; however, another issue was created during the process. The mechanic pulled the handbrake in such a way that it caused both rear caliper pistons to get stuck, preventing the rear wheels from revolving.
When I informed the mechanic, he refused to accept that he caused the issue. I do not know his name, but the lady working at the front desk, who claimed to be the assistant manager, witnessed everything. However, she chose to remain silent when I referred to her as a witness. Her behavior reflected poor communication skills and a lack of professionalism. She was also inconsistent in her statements. Additionally, she initially provided me with the corporate phone number but later denied doing so when questioned by the store manager.
To give credit where it is due, the store manager was understanding and cooperative. After I filed a complaint with corporate, he contacted me, listened to my concerns, and worked with his regional manager to find a resolution. We agreed that I would purchase the parts, and the shop installed them on April 6, 2026, including the calipers. Since the brake pads were damaged due to friction from the seized calipers, they replaced those as well. While the work itself is relatively straightforward, I appreciated that the manager was trying to resolve the issue. I also asked if they could install two shocks while the vehicle was already being worked on, and the manager agreed.
Later, I received a call that my vehicle was ready for pickup. However, when I arrived, I immediately noticed that the brakes were not working—the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. The mechanic, Brandon, who performed the work, had claimed he test drove the vehicle and confirmed it was safe. He then took another test drive and acknowledged that the brakes were not functioning properly. This raises concern as to whether the vehicle was properly tested in the first place.
Brandon drove the vehicle back to the shop, and we agreed that I would return the next day. When I called the following day, the assistant manager again refused to provide any useful information, stating that the matter was between me and the manager, who was unavailable. Her approach made a simple request unnecessarily difficult. Over the next couple of days, I continued to experience difficulty obtaining updates until I was finally told the vehicle was ready.
Shortly after, the regional manager, Tyler, contacted me and questioned why the vehicle was still at the shop. During the call, he stated that I would be charged for labor, offering only a small deduction, even though the issue originated at their shop and no such payment agreement had been made. When I arrived at the shop, I was told I could not take my vehicle without making a payment. I contacted Tyler again and explained the situation, but he insisted on charging me. During the call, it was clear that another person was listening and directing him, which I found unprofessional and lacking transparency.
Following these events, I reported the incident to the Guilderland Police Department and filed a complaint regarding the situation.
Overall, this experience raises serious concerns about workmanship, accountability, and communication. Although the store manager made a genuine effort to resolve the issue, the denial of responsibility, poor communication from staff, and the attempt to impose unexpected charges made the situation unnecessarily stressful.