Whistleblower 9

9 Investigates: Auto parts store installs car battery backward

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A consumer alert Friday after a new car battery was installed backwards at a Charlotte auto parts store causing $1,500 in damage.

Eyewitness News investigative reporter Paul Boyd went searching for answers after Advance Auto Parts in Carolina Pavilion Shopping Center initially refused to pay the whole repair bill.

It all started three weeks ago when the car battery died on Anchia Kinard's 2013 Volkswagen Jetta.

Kinard got a jump start and drove to Advance Auto Parts in south Charlotte.

A technician from the store installed the new battery.

"The second that he put it in, my car started going crazy," Kinard said.

Advance Auto Parts admits the first battery was installed backwards.

The battery cable was stripped. The fuse was blown, and the car's amplifier was blown.

Advance Auto Parts reinstalled a new battery correctly. It paid for a new fuse and new battery cable.

It did not initially agree to replace the blown amplifier.

  • Boyd: They still owe you $945 for blowing your amplifier?
  • Kinard: Yes.
  • Boyd: But they refuse to give it to you?
  • Kinard: Yes.

Kinard said she became frustrated with the lack of accountability.

"This is a customer experience that has prolonged into a very negative place," she said.

Boyd confronted the store's manager about the $945 repair bill that had not been reimbursed, and he declined to comment.

However, the manager did point 9 Investigates toward a senior representative at Advanced Auto Parts, and 9 Investigates left several messages.

Less than one day after 9 Investigates started asking questions, Advance Auto Parts agreed to pay the full repair bill.

"They are writing me a check, and I am a satisfied customer," Kinard said.

Advance Auto Parts told Channel 9 it was simply waiting to get accurate information so it could take care of its customer.

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