Fleet Farm — Attraction in Lakeville

This review is in regard to the Auto Center only.

Never again.

Ever.

I find Mills Fleet Farm to be a schizophrenic experience. Some staff are wonderfully helpful, some are seriously annoyed by your presence. The whole store is dreadfully disorganized, but in its own way charming. I shop there monthly or more.

So, when I was handed a checkout coupon for a $18 oil change at their auto center, I was thrilled. What a deal! Sure, I'd have to make an appointment and it wouldn't be as quick as any rapid lube place, but at this price, I can deal with a little inconvenience.

Right. You know what they say about things that seem too good to be true? Have you heard of a bait-and-switch?

I set up my appointment for 6pm the following day. When I arrived, there was one other person in the waiting area, and I heard one other overhead page for someone's service completion. Needless to say, they weren't all that busy.

After THIRTY MINUTES, the guy behind the counter called me up and said that the coupon wasn't going to work, as it was only good for their bulk oil. My car requires 0W-20, which they don't have in bulk. Taking a deep breath, I consented for them to continue, already having given them a full half-hour. Bad choice. I could have LEFT, GONE TO A VALVOLINE RAPID OIL CHANGE, AND HAD MY OIL CHANGED QUICKER THAN THESE CLOWNS! I'm serious! I was there for AN HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTES!! FOR AN OIL CHANGE!! WHEN THE PLACE WAS LARGELY EMPTY!!!

From a certain vantage point you can see into part of the shop and I had a very clear view of my car. It sat dormant with no one working on it for HUGE stretches of time. Even after it was backed out of the shop, I waited another 15-20 MINUTES just to pay! What in the world were they doing? I saw people sweeping. I saw people standing around. I saw people doing a whole lot of not caring enough to get me back to my family.

To add insult to injury, they ended up charging me an extra $5 for something called their "Signature Oil Change", which I specifically told them when I set up the appointment I did not want. I was too aggravated to argue, as I knew if I opened this Pandora's box, it might turn into an all out rage-fest right there at the counter. This all ended up costing me nearly the same as going to Valvoline. (Sitting here, shaking my head.) Like I said before, it's worth repeating: Never. Ever. Again.

Summary: Unethical practices compounded by slow and...

Being in the Trades, I am a frequent customer on Fleet Farm. I purchased outdoor work wear at a cost of more than $225 the previous week. I did not notice that a anti theft device had been left on one of the sweatshirts I purchase. So today I brought back this sweatshirt to have this device removed at the Lakeville location. When I enters the building I quickly identified an employee and asked for their help. This employee, a male in his 20’s responded to my question by saying, how do I know you did not steal this item? While I was unable to immediately produce my receipt, I stated that I just walked in and he could see I brought the sweatshirt with me. He said he did not believe me and walked away. Soon a Manager, named Brady R. approached me. I explained the situation to him and this time produced the receipt. Brady R still questioned if I purchased or stole the item. I told him that the item, along with several other items were purchased and all I wanted was for the anti theft device to be removed as it was with two other sweatshirts. Brady R than stated to me that if I wanted his help, I had to ask him directly for it. I told him that was what I came to the store for and I had already asked another employee for help but that employee walked away. Brady R then again stated that if I wanted his help, I had to ask him for it. Now, a number of other customers were aware of my situation. It told Brady R what I needed, agin showed him the receipt again. He said for a third time…..If you want my help you have to ask for it. I am a 42 year old professional who now felt like I had to beg the Manager to help me, I felt insulted and degraded. Brady R said that he could call the Police and I told him , fine, call the Police if you want…..I just want the device off the sweatshirt. Brady R then walked away from me and left me standing there. I then proceeded to go to customer service line who was aware of my situation as were many other customers. The lady at customer service asked if I wanted the device removed and I said, No, after the way I was treated, I now want to return this item and get my credit. She obliged.

None of this had to happen. A. bad scene with two employees who instead of providing good customer service instead decided try to make matters worse.. very, very...

It's been dubbed "The Man's Mall" for as long as I can remember, however as to not offend anyone and their beliefs I'll simply refer to it as awesome sauce! Yes that may be cheesy but you still reading this... Am I right? Anyway, what better place could there be. You can get anything(and I mean anything) at this lovely mecca of modern commerce for a reasonable price and best of all no waiting and checking the stupid tracking number every twenty minutes to see if your package has moved anywhere... You can simply put it in your cart, head to the checkout and in a few more minutes you're tearing into the packaging in your car in the parking lot cuz why on earth would you wait the ten whole minutes it will take you to get home... Wasn't that half the reason you went to the good ole farm of the fleet? Seriously though, though there stores haven't had a facelift since I can remember (or ever even) there is something satisfying about the familiarity these extremely unfrilly, bare bones big box stores offer that is for me somewhat nasthalgic. I mean if it ain't broke, don't fix it. They even all have this certain smell that just takes me back to my childhood, pushing the cart for mom or dad. They actually keep pricing low because they don't spend anything on remodeling their stores or advertising much, if at all which is very few and far between these days. Truly a Midwestern gem to behold, though I may be a bit biased as a born and raised Minnesota boy. Take it or leave it, one trip to fleet farm and you'll LOVE it! Aisles are wide and lighting is adequate. Help is always nearby and not some person who doesn't care, you'll get honest to goodness customer service. Low prices, and better than buy it now speed all at a fair price... What's not to love. Take the family and spend a half a day there. I bet it becomes a...