Blain's Farm & Fleet - Montgomery, Illinois — Attraction in Oswego Township

I gave this location 4 or 5 stars that last time I reviewed them I believe. They really helped me out when I owned my Toyota Camry. But with my recent experience, I am very disappointed in the customer service I was given. I got a new car. A 2018 Acura ILX. I needed an oil change and I just so happened to be in the Oswego area and since they did such a good job on my last car, I figured I would bring my Acura to them for the oil change. They changed the oil for me in July of this year. Keep in mind, this is my car's very first oil change ever. I bought it brand new. After I got my car back the shield cover fell off because it was not screwed back in properly.

I took it back to Blain's the next day and told them what happened, they didn't admit fault and one of the techs made a remark saying, "You technically don't need that anyway." In my mind, yes, I do need it. I bought the car brand new and the manufacturers created the shield for a purpose and I want everything back the way I gave it to them so I expect to get my car back in one piece. After further discussion, Blain's finally agreed to order a new part for me and install it free of charge. They had me SIGN a document stating that the charge would be $0.00 and that they would order the new shield and they would call me to let me know when it's in. This document was signed around the 1st week of July I'd say. Fast forward to July 20th, I had not received a call yet so I conducted a follow up call. So I called them. I spoke to a young lady at the front desk inquiring about the part they promised me. She acted as though she did not know what I was talking about and placed me on hold to get the manager.

I was on hold for approximately 5 to 8 minutes. The manager gets on the phone and gives me the "Don't call us, we'll call you speech." So I trusted in her words and waited. Fast forward to August 20th. I still had not received a follow up call, so I call again, this time I speak to a male associate. I inquired about the part they were supposed to be ordering for me and I informed the gentleman that the manager ensured me that someone would follow up with me but yet I still had not received any follow up call. The associate this time too acted as though he had no idea what I was talking about but looked up my information and saw who was handling my situation and told me she would be in the next day to follow up with me. I informed him that the follow up has been lacking and asked him if he could promise me that he will set a reminder and actually have a planned follow up. He reassured someone would call me the next day.

Fast forward to Sept. 20th and I had still not received a single follow up call. I understand some parts may take longer to order, but at the very least, I expect a genuine follow up call to let me know "hey sir, the part we ordered has not come in, but we just wanted to check in with you to let you know we haven't forgotten about you." That type of phone call literally takes 20 seconds to complete and that's all I'm asking for. I signed a document already promising the work but I feel that I have to hunt them down in order to get any information and I'm starting to feel as though they never ordered the part I need to begin with. Granted, I honestly should have just gone to Acura in the first place and maybe this wouldn't have been an issue, but the customer service associates at Blain's at this location do not seem to care when it comes to follow up and do not seem to care to correct their mistakes. Nor do they seem to pay attention to detail and do the job correctly. This was supposed to be a simple oil change and now has turned into a drawn out problem.

I understand that the company makes enough money to where this review and my money does not matter to them, but all I am asking for is to know what is going on with the solution that was promised me back in July and why is it that nobody has cared enough to...

I have owned a single stage snow blower for years and was seriously considering a 2 stage snow blower, however I had no idea how to care for it, wasn't sure if I could manage a bigger machine, did not know how it operates.

I went to Blains Farm and Fleet in Montgomery IL in September and needed and wanted to inquire in detail about the machines. I wanted to know what I possibly was going to buy. Associate manager Dave called tech Curtis to come out on the floor to field my questions.

I was able to maneuver it and learned about the controls of the Cub Cadet. I asked about how to change the oil and what type of oil it takes. I asked what shear pins do on the auger and how to change them. I asked how to drain the gas at the end of the season. I asked about the transmission and changing the fluid.

Curtis answered and showed me where to change the oil and to use 5w30. More importantly, Curtis explained that after the machine has run 5 hours then the oil needs to be changed because possibly tiny fragments of metal may be in the oil during the break in period. I was very pleased that he told me the details of the break in period and NEED for an oil change (I would have waited untill the end of the season.)

I ended up buying some back up shear pins so I am not stuck with a non turning auger in a big storm. Most importantly, I know how to change the shear pins.

I learned where to drain the gas and am quite confident how to do it now.

Curtis said the transmission is sealed so not to do anything with it.

Additionally, Curtis stressed to register the product with Cub Cadet. There may be updates, recalls, etc... Before delivery of the machine Curtis added a little gas to the machine to run and test it. In doing so he made a repair. Curtis registered the machine with Cub Cadet. He also drained the gas to ensure that when it finally will snow I would put fresh gas in it. Curtis said it is procedure to run and test the machine before delivery.

Note: I did read reviews about the different machines I was looking at and paid attention to the stores that carried the machines. I then became aware that some stores that sell a machine charge an assembly fee. I also read about a customer who did the assembly at home and the machine was not working properly.

One thing I noted as I read the literature with the machine is that the warranty starts upon delivery of the machine. That was a recent addendum to the warranty of the machine. The 2 fellows who delivered the machine delivered it with care and for free. Yes, I live within the 15 mile radius of Blains Farm and Fleet. Another big plus was the free delivery.

Curtis went above and beyond to teach and orientate me with the new machine. He was patient, approachable, and easily addressed my multiple questions and concerns.

Yes, I did buy the machine with confidence. I know how to operate the machine safely. I know how to do some basic servicing of the machine and care for it. Having hands on the machine and maneuvering it relieved one of my biggest concerns. I am retired and 5 feet tall. I will handle that machine!

If one wants to buy a machine at Farm and Fleet in Montgomery, IL I would highly recommend that one ask to speak to Curtis.

Note: I believe in asking questions about a product and then one can decide with knowledge and...

NEVER BRING YOUR CAR HERE FOR SERVICE!

My wife and I had been coming here for a few years for basic vehicle maintenance. Other than a couple issues with brake parts, the overall experience was good. Oil changes and tires mostly.

In May, I took in my car for service and was told it needed brakes, shocks and struts. The vehicle mileage was at a point where all these were warranted. The service was supposed to take one day. That day happened to be when the "peaceful protesters" were rioting in downtown Aurora. The manage of this store decided to abruptly close the store down hours early with no warning. They did not call any of the customers who had vehicles in the service center. I found out by going to the store because I couldn't get anyone on the phone. Corporate customer service couldn't reach anyone either.

The next day they apologized and complete the work at a discount. A few days later the car started making a rattling noise from the front right. It sounded like loose parts. My wife took the back in to have it looked at, they said it was a bad strut and would take 4 hours to get the part and fix it. At this point I had to leave work early so that I could pick up my wife and kid so they didn't have to sit in the store. When I arrived, I was then told it would only have been an hour. So now I left work early for no reason losing even more money. This would be the third time between two vehicles we had been told they received "bad parts". I don't think so. Raised hell and the service manager refunded even more of the bill.

A week later the car was making noise again. Both from the front brakes groaning and what sounded like a squeaky spring in the rear. Took the car in again. Front brakes were replaced and we were told that the car had a bad bushing in the left rear. They offered to replace the part from free but it had to be ordered from the OEM. During the wait I took the vehicle to the dealership for an end of warranty inspection. There they found that when the rear brakes were installed the technician didn't use any grease and it was causing even more noise and rubbing.

Finally they finished the repairs after 2 months. Now my car will never drive the same. It feels horrible on the highway which I have to drive everyday. Car gets blown around by the wind and won't drive straight in the lane. Pretty sure they didn't perform an alignment after replacing the bushing either. No matter what, this car was near ruined as far as drive abilty by them. I think at this point the only thing I can do is present all the info to a lawyer because they are not going to touch my car again.

If anyone from Farm and Fleet is paying attention to their reviews. All this info has been documented on your...