I took my newly acquired 97 300D to Costco for a new set of Bridgestone Potenza 950's last sunday. Nice tires all around. Had the car two weeks, so I then took it back to the inspector/wrench who I had inspect it prior to purchase to do the noted repairs.

My wrench asked me when I picked up the car "who installed your tires"? I told him Costco, and he said they destroyed your rocker panels. Sure enough, however they managed to put it on the rack, broke the plastic panels mounted in the wheel wells.

I have digital photos of before and after, enlarged 8 x 10's to show the before and after.

Anyone have experience similar of dealing with Costco. I don't expect much of an argument. But I want to be prepared.

Thanks in advance.

Bob
97 300D 115K Miles

Yes, lots of people have similar experiences with all the tire places. A frequent complaint is wrung-off lug bolts, forcing a complete hub replacement.

That's why I only take loose tires to the tire shop.



Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

This kind of thing is EXACTLY why I found and bought a wheel balancer and a tire machine.

These tire places hire the best people they can find that will work for $5.35 an hour. Most of these people care about two things; quitting time and pay day. They have no regard for what comes in between, most especially they have no regard for YOUR car.

I realize that there are many hard working, honorable people out there who work hard to make a living mounting tires, but it only takes a few of the ones I describe to make all of them look like that.

I buy tires by clicking on Tire Rack at the top of this page and the Brown truck drops them in my driveway. Since I have taken this approach regarding tires, every vehicle on this place will run as fast as it will go with NO TIRE VIBRATION.

Don't take no for an answer from these people. They damaged your car and they owe you the repair of it.

Good luck,

I once made the mistake of letting Sam's club install a set of tires I bought and when they put my car on there weird lift the kid left some kind of metal perches down and distroyed my exhaust system. $1800 later at there expence all was well.

Pay for your damages. They are very good at making good on vehicle damages. If you are brave enough to return(because of the free bal/rotation/road hazard), insist that they use the twin post lift, never the "pad rack" lift.

THANKS for all your replies. Heading up there this a.m. and will post the outcome.

Bob