My Personal Discount Tire Rant

[gmercoleza]

I know, I know. Just having the word "discount" in their name is a recipe for disaster, since as we all know, you get what you pay for. Pandering to the low-budget crowd doesn't usually result in stellar service. But anyway...

I have about 22K on a set of Kumho 795 tires which have been really great. No complaints as far as the tires go. I have gone back to Discount Tire in Lewisville, TX (near my work) every 5K to 7K for the free rotate/balance (included with purchase of the tires). The last 2 times I have gone in, they have of course tried to push new tires on me. That's understandable, to a degree; after all they are in the business of selling tires.

Well today they went too far in my opinion. The manager of course went out with his little clipboard to check the tires, then came in and started looking stuff up in the computer. He asked me how long I plan to keep the tires, I said not long - I do actually plan on replacing them sometime soon, though I didn't tell him that. He started quoting me different prices for various tires and I got a little irritated and told him I am not here for new tires, only a rotate/balance. He then proceeded to tell me he couldn't balance my tires because they only have 4/32 to 5/32 of tread left. Maybe he was trying to base his argument on the legality and liabilities involved with rotating someone's bald tires, but TX state inspection allows 2/32 or wear down to the wear indicator before failing a tire.

Puzzled, I asked him what does tread depth have to do with anything, I just want the wheels rotated & balanced. He explained that if there isn't enough tread on a tire, the balance will not hold and the tire can't be balanced. I curtly explained to him that a tire can have zero tread and still be balanced, sure it might go out of balance maybe 1,000 miles down the road, especially if it's unevenly worn, but it can be balanced at this point in time nonetheless. He continued arguing, at which point I asked "Are you telling me you won't rotate & balance my tires?" At this point I had all the customers in the waiting room drop everything and stare. The manager finally conceded, and said in a pseudo-polite voice that he would have everything taken care of for me.

Believe me, I watched like a hawk to make sure they did actually balance & rotate like they said they would.

Is anyone else as highly irritated as me by people who just want to take you for a ride? I mean, come on. Once they start lying to you, it's just insulting to your intelligence.

They probably figure that 90 percent of the people they pressure will give in, either because they believe them and don't know any better, or because they're too ashamed to "look cheap." Believe me, that thought crossed my mind, especially with a shiny Benz sitting in the service bay, but I really don't care what others think.

There - I have vented. I feel slightly better now.

[el presidente]

NTB tried pulling that crap on my wife when she had a nail in her tire.....said it couldn't be patched.

I arrive on-scene and casually suggest taking her car across the street to the tire competitor that was still open (nearing 5pm at this point). Promptly, the weasel/rat look-alike has the tire patched quickly and at zero charge.

I still took my business elsewhere 6 months later when the car needed new tires.

[MS Fowler]

The marketplace eventually takes care of stores like this. There are several chain-type tire stores in my area that I will not patronize becasue of similar treatment.
I buy tires from a non chain store that has suceeded in business by satisfying local customers. Satisfaction and word of mouth is a good combunation.

Before I found the non chain store, i bought a set of tires from Pep Boys, at a very good sale price ( They are always "on sale"). Later I had a pro rata adjustment to a covered defect--but the adjustment is always pro rated against the mythical "list" price, causing a warrantee adjustment to cost more than a new tire on sale. Last time I bought tires from the Pep Boys; never again.

[Kuan]

Racing slicks can't be balanced?

It annoys me too. Unfortunately, enough people exist to keep these places in business.

I had a server tell me that they don't serve pickled ginger with sashimi because it destroys the taste of the fish.

[dkveuro]

Originally Posted by Kuan

............
I had a server tell me that they don't serve pickled ginger with sashimi because it destroys the taste of the fish.

Is THAT why ? Hmmm.]

Anyweather.....you gotta look at the pressure that guy is under...'prolly got a minimum daily to make and a store owner screaming if'n he don't.

Loooooong time ago, I worked for LUCAS service in the UK.
I took over a store that was 38 % effiecient...according to 'Maisy', the district manager............what a jerk....but, after 4 months I had increased the percentage to 65%....was he pleased ?.....heck no !...told me my antifreeze sales where only 12% of a store quota of 15% !!!!. Pillock !

.....So, if he's a company 'Yes' man....that's most of your problem.



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[Azimyth]

They think we are stupid.

[Hatterasguy]

I wouldn't trust my MB to any of those clowns. They couldn't get the balance on my Toyota right so why would I trust them with a complex high end car?

I have my summer wheels balanced at a small yet very good shop every spring before they go on. $60 but you get what you pay for, they ride perfectly smooth to well over 100, and I am sure they would till the cars top speed. Then after they balance them I torque them down to spec, myself. I just don't trust tire shops I have seen to many broken lug bolts and screwed up wheels.

[danwatt]

I have America's Tire Co. do my tires, they do a great job. It's all in the managment. At the one next door to my work, they are very very compatent. They've patched my tires three times for free. The first time they did it, I hadn't even bought the tires from them. One of the guys that works there noticed a nail in my tire as he was going out back to drop used tires out in the shed, and they fixed it for free. But as with most chain stores, 99% of the managers got there because they cater to their superiors, not their customers.

[G-Benz]

Like el presidente, I got the same runaround from NTB (especially since I bought the tires from them a year earlier, along with two other sets for the other vehicles).

No matter, I was shopping for new wheels and tires anyway.

I don't hate the big tires stores...depends on which location you visit.

I've been to both North Richland Hills TX locations and they treated me well. In fact, the rep at the newer store cut me a better price on a set of rims I planned to get online. They have since balanced the rims on the other cars, even though I haven't purchased wheels/tires from them for those models.

Looking to put "dubs" on the ML next summer, and I will see if they can continue their great service then...

Crappy photo (cell phone camera), but this is what Discount Tire outfitted my W124 with this summer (wife's CLK in the background):

[el presidente]

Lorinser?

[G-Benz]

Originally Posted by el presidente

Lorinser?

I wish!

Lorinser copies. ICE88. Waaayyyy cheaper. Chrome is easy to scratch though so it takes kid gloves when cleaning. Look like a million balloons when the sun hits them!

[el presidente]

Originally Posted by G-Benz

I wish!

Lorinser copies. ICE88. Waaayyyy cheaper. Chrome is easy to scratch though so it takes kid gloves when cleaning. Look like a million balloons when the sun hits them!

I apologize for the hijack...

I've been toying with the idea of finding some 17" AMG Aero Is for the CE. Is the ride okay with the larger wheels and tires. Are they difficult to get balanced correctly?

[G-Benz]

The rep thought I would be happier with the 50-series tires to reduce ride harshness but even the small change in wheel-tire height over OEM made the car look like it was riding on oversized dubs!

The real issue was that tire rubbing was ridiculous, especially when braking! I promptly went back a few days later and had him put the 45-series on instead...with 17-8 rims, that tire works out to close to stock specs, and I didn't really perceive a change in ride quality.

No issues with balancing, but any worn suspension items will show their weaknesses when you get aggressive as a result of the lower profile wheel/tire setup.

My indie frowns on any wheel/tire combo that deviates from stock, but what the hey!

[raymr]

I wouldn't be surprised if they give your tie rods a turn or 2 so you have to go back for an alignment.

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by Kuan

Racing slicks can't be balanced?

It annoys me too. Unfortunately, enough people exist to keep these places in business.

I had a server tell me that they don't serve pickled ginger with sashimi because it destroys the taste of the fish.

Kuan. I have bought tires from Discount Tires for years now. Never, ever had a problem. In my book they are one of the best run tire companies. given the fact that they are a chain, however, you are bound to run across the occasional rogue store manager.