I am SFC Scott Staggs. I had my oil changed by Walmart 12 August while en-route to the Senior Leaders Course in FT Jackson SC. I was to be at PT 0600 AM. I stopped at the East town Walmart in Knoxville 3051 Kinzel Way (865) 544-7710.They were closing but agreed to do my oil change. I Paid at 1730 (aprox) and drove less than 3 miles when my car began to knock violently. I pulled in to the very next exit (strawberry Plains Knoxville 8 miles from store)) I called back only 10 minutes after leaving the store the Department manager explained that he would quickly file a claim with the department that handles this and call me back he called back in 10 minutes with a claim Number 6676655 and a number 1-800-527-0566. He told me "everything would be handled" I expected that because of my warranty that protects me from workmanship and material failure I was in good hands. My wife came 60 miles from my home picked me up and took me to Fort Jackson for school she returned quickly as she is a School teacher with the Knoxville Christan School. I continued with training. On Thursday 17 August I was concerned by no return calls from CMI. I called the Walmart they stated they cannot work with with me as the claim was filed. I called Wiegles the location of the breakdown. I was dismayed to discover the car was in the parking lot! I demanded that CMI put a person on the phone I was forced to call the Operator of the phone system and she physically made a adjuster get on the phone. I told the adjuster David Hornton I couldn't believe my car was sitting for almost a week. He said I should have it towed to a local lot and have the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of failure. I called Leaks towing and they picked my car up Friday 18 August. After I confirmed the car was in the hands of Leaks I asked him to do a detailed inspection and report that to CMI. Tuesday 21 August I call Mr Leak he states he cannot get a person to return his call or answer the phone at CMI He didn't feel comfortable touching the car until it was confirmed that he was supposed to inspect the vehicle. I called CMI and again used the only technique to get to a person. (just a point I never even to this day spoke to my original adjuster). I spoke to David Hornton again he changed the process stating they would send out a inspector. I thought this would be done quickly however the inspector didn't show up until Friday 24 August a full 12 days after the vehicle was destroyed. During the inspection the inspector hired by Walmart and paid to inspect my vehicle couldn't even identify a the special and specific oil filter made available only to Walmart at a lower cost (FRAM). He states there is no sign of leaking or spray. He states this appears to be staged and is not consistent with oil filter leak due to lack of oil around the filter adapter. I called Monday 27 August again using the operator (as this date I have been called back 3 times and returned emails once with my 20-25 emails send and to many phone messages to even count) Mr Hornton was very careful reading the report leaving out a majority of detail as I discovered reading the report later. I hit on the filter point and the lack of excessive oil. I pointed out the Fram filter COR4667 is only distributed to Walmart. This is key in the "Staged" statement and the car was sitting in Wiegles 5 miles from the oil change facility for 6 days then at Leaks for another 6 days. This car is Mid Engine and has Louvers that allow air and rain to run over the engine. It was incompetent to allow this time to pass and i stated I cleaned up the oil mess at Weigles with kitty litter provided by the store manager. I offered him her contact information. Leaks also stated to me the parking spot (I pushed the car to a less busy spot in the parking lot the night of failure) had oil from the engine compartment from run off. I later discovered one sticking point to the report was the filter not having oil pooled. The filter on the Toyota MR2 is set a 45 degree vertical position. The filter would have drained back into the engine within hours of the failure. David Thornton said he would do me a (favor) and send out another inspector. He stated I would have to have the engine tore down to-point of failure. Leaks stated they didn't want to deal with the aggravation so I paid them for there services and had the vehicle towed to Rick Mcgillls Toyota the same day. Joe Hansard from the Toyota dealership called me to let me know the vehicle was ready for inspection he also states his Tech sees obvious oil deprivation scars on the crank. I called left messages with Jason Weeks (new adjuster) and David Hornton that the vehicle was ready 3 days later Joe Hansard called to let me know that the car was holding up a bay and he hasn't heard anything from CMI. Again I called using the Operator. I spoke to Jason Weeks and had it out with him. I then wanted to speak to the department supervisor. Jennifer Pikens to whom I was told was told was the department head never responded for at least a week after the final inspection was always in a meeting or away for training I spoke to her secretary and request daily a return call. I was informed the next day 30 August the inspector did show and the Toyota tech discussed the issues with the car. I was told by the Toyota Tech he thought the inspector was hired by me as he was clearly stating the engine failed due to oil deprivation pointing out how well the engine looked for its age. I felt it was finally over. Jason Weeks for the first time in a month calls me. He had a proud arrogant tone referring to the report. He read the report over the phone again leaving out key detail I would later read in the physical report. He stated that Walmart will not cover this due to my failure to maintain my vehicle and the engine lost the oil that caused the oil deprivation due to the hole in the block. I quickly noticed the fallacy. How can you blame the failures on the effect of the failure. There wasn't a hole in the block before the engine failed. He stated that non the less walmart will not cover my "alleged" loss. I was dumbfounded that both reports were poor, incomplete, and absurd.
I called Jennifer Pikens and of course no response for two days. Finally I speak to her only to find out she is a loss prevention manager. I still to this day do not know the chain of concern for CMI. She stated she wasn't technical but she would look into my claim. I forwarded her the rebuttal letter from me, Toyota's Tech, Service records for my car showing Walmart performed all service on this car for the last 2 years from 208, 000 mile to current on time and within the 3000 miles recommended. I was told she would contact me. I waited a week with no response. I contacted CMI and on target I was forced to use the Operator. David Hornton told me that CMI is still holding fast to the report. I contacted the Johnson City Walmart Marketing Manager and his office called to confirm this was the status. I recieved a email from Jennifer Pikens today saying she was backing the report stating the oil loss was from the hole in the block that was caused by the failiuer. I contend CMI cannot use the clean hand defense as the reports are so Bias and they include lies that I have proven technicaly (engine dont fail from oil deprevation after they lock up) I never touched the oil filter I was in Ft Jackson! (Mcgills Toyota confimed this in a letter to Jennifer) this proves dishonesty. Automotive Adjusters are located in Florida yet they were hired to travel to Tennessee? I called then they stated "We 1000's of these and they dont have to give me an explaination" (however he just did)
CMI is backing the Technical reports that are not only misspelled they are laughable. They commit libel stating I brought tyhe Oil filter in at a later date. I need assistance in this and I can provide detailed pictures to include a technical report from Mcgills Toyota and complete maintence records of my car. I contacted several attorneys from the Walmart project and they request 5, 000 retainer fee. I cannot pay this amount as I am PCS (Perment Change of Station) next month.
Since my car was destroyed I have been pushed around and wasted over 20-30 hours of time on the phone filing complaints with Walmart Corporate twice. I have produced solid proof that the Automotive Adjusters are not Bias and are in the pockets of Walmart. Walmart self insures CMI and I am against a giant! If CMI is a (insurance) how can they operate in this fashion? I want my car paid for, My rental car that I finally had to return paid for and I truly feel "pain and suffering" Please if you can help me in any way It would be greatly appreciated.
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