Bonehead tire "mechanics"

[92saturnsl2]

Took my Frontier into the shop today to have three new tires mounted and balanced.

I made it all very clear to the sales guy.. "...Brought in three tires, please mount and balance them, the fourth (identical) is already mounted and balanced as the spare, it should go with the other three." Told them to please use the "best of the old" for the spare.

First thing that occured to me was they attempted to charge for mounting and balancing the spare, that was already mounted and balanced. They agreed and took that off.

Things only got worse when I arrived home. One of my center caps was missing. I called them up and while they were friendly, they simply maintained the attitude that they put four on, and it's not their fault.

I calmly explained to them that I have done all service including tire rotations myself, and have never had a center cap fall off on me in the 120k I've been driving the truck. It's clearly not coincidence that it disappears right after having the tire serviced. Some knucklehead tried to smack the cheap plastic cap on too hard, broke a plastic tab or lost the retaining ring, and left it on the wheel for it to fall off.

After half-demanding reimbursement, I got a sob story from the guy who mounted the wheels about how it will come out of his paycheck, blah blah blah. I told them if it's more than a few dollars (very likely), I will bring a receipt to be reimbursed. I'm hoping I can find a steal on Ebay.

I later noticed the wheels were filthy, they smeared grease and grime all over them and never bothered to clean them up. Most tire shops will rub the blue off the white letters, this wasn't done either.

Also I was surprised to see them use conventional wheel weights on 17" alloys. Not very aesthetically pleasing, plus they are crimped onto the finish, which damages it. All other tire shops I've used place adhesive weights inside the wheel. Is this common practice?

The shop was Plaza Tire Service, they're located all around the St. Louis area.

 

[crazyoildude]

Bozo's at work you gotta love em
they seem to be everywhere and doing everything

 

[aaxb970]

Comes out of his paycheck...LOL not your problem..they should buy you a new cap considering they never put it on right. they should have buffed the tires and put dressing on then also....shady tire shop!!

 

[daves87rs]

That is not cool....

 

[mrsilv04]

I take the center caps off myself, and then put them back on myself. Problem solved there.

I also have my tires static balanced, which they will only have weights on the inside lip of the rim (no weights on the outside lip at all).

Also, I have them use high pressure steel stems with the rubber base, instead of the cheap, flimsy all rubber stems (which there's been a large recall on).

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I take the center caps off myself, and then put them back on myself. Problem solved there.

I also have my tires static balanced, which they will only have weights on the inside lip of the rim (no weights on the outside lip at all).


While your solution is valid, if I'm paying the shop $25 a tire to get them mounted and balanced correctly, it should be done right. I could live with wiping the blue off myself, even cleaning up the wheel after they're done..

But not correctly installing a center cap such that it falls off is a new one for me. What exactly are they getting paid for? Pressing forward reverse on their impact, lugging things around, and start/stop on the balancer?

I doubt the average motorist pays attention to which kind of wheel weights are used, but this is an issue they should address as well.

 

[CharlieJ]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2

Also I was surprised to see them use conventional wheel weights on 17" alloys. Not very aesthetically pleasing, plus they are crimped onto the finish, which damages it. All other tire shops I've used place adhesive weights inside the wheel.


I am surprised at how calmly you are taking this. I would be enraged it they crimped weights on my mazda3 wheels.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

I have had around a 50% rate of tire shops damaging a rim, doing a shoddy job, or charging me way too much for services rendered. Seems to be common in that line of work for some reason.

I cannot remember the last time I have had a balance and rotate done correctly the first time. The last couple of times I drive off to head out on the highway and the tires are more out of balance than when I brought them in. When I mention I am not happy about that, I get attitude over it.

What the heck is wrong with tire shops these days?

 

[Audi Junkie]

WalMart does mine right.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

A few months back I had new tires put on at a Tire Plus close to my school. The guy who worked on my car did okay. They had to bring the tires I wanted from another store so it took a while, and by the time it was finished I was the last customer.

While mounting the tires the guy brought me out to show me the curb rash that was already on the wheel. I think he did that because I was watching the whole time since my car was right next to the window and entrance to the bay area.

 

[benjamming]

92,

You really have to take charge of things that are important to you. Did you specify "stick-on" weights? Did you not inspect everything before you left? That is the time to take care of everything - not after you have arrived home. I stay in the garage with them & usually take the tires off myself, etc. while they are dismounting the tires, etc. It's a relationship that you will build if it is important to you.

How do you know that it was a knucklehead that smashed the center cap on breaking a tab? I thought it was lost so I don't see how you were able to inspect it. Cheap shots from the bleachers are easy.

Have you used these folks before? Did you go over with them your expectations? That should be the 1st thing to determine if you want them to work on your vehicle - not afterwards when everything was left to chance beforehand. I'm not trying to be harsh (I don't know the whole story) but I've seen this happen quite a bit & even been in your shoes before I understood that I am responsible for the work done to my vehicle.

 

[bepperb]

Well, I think they did a worse job than average and so that's worth some criticism.

I'm under the impression that tire shops hate sticky weights, and that they tend to come off, and so they usually go to the crimp on rim weights. I agree, you have to specify sticky weights and make sure they even have/use them.

The lost center cap sucks. Find one on Ebay. Don't go back to that shop. 25 bucks isn't a great deal for average service. Any WM will do them for 15 and to the same quality job, probably better. For 25 I would expect an immaculate job... which probably only adds one minute per wheel and one dirty rag for all four.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
92,

You really have to take charge of things that are important to you...........I understood that I am responsible for the work done to my vehicle.


Excellent life lesson advice worth repeating. What sucks is when you attempt to "take charge" and things still go awry. Getting quality contractor work from professional trades people always seems to be a challenge.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
You really have to take charge of things that are important to you. Did you specify "stick-on" weights? Did you not inspect everything before you left? That is the time to take care of everything - not after you have arrived home. I stay in the garage with them & usually take the tires off myself, etc. while they are dismounting the tires, etc. It's a relationship that you will build if it is important to you.


I understand where you're coming from, but it's no excuse. If I'm paying money to receive a service, I expect that service. Damage to my vehicle is inexcusable. Certain things like cheap wheel weights or dirty wheels after I can live with. That would just persuade me to choose a different shop, not raise a stink.

Quote:
How do you know that it was a knucklehead that smashed the center cap on breaking a tab? I thought it was lost so I don't see how you were able to inspect it. Cheap shots from the bleachers are easy.


Under the circumstances, I don't consider this at all a "cheap shot from the bleachers." It doesn't require a brain surgeon to come to the reasonable conclusion that they were installed incorrectly. I know how cheap the plastic caps are made, and if you're not paying attention it's very easy to break a tab or somehow install the retaining ring incorrectly (or not at all). Anyone who's ever installed a hubcap can tell you this. The fact that they have survived 120k of my own service, and that of two other tire dealers tells me they CAN be put on correctly.

Quote:
Have you used these folks before? Did you go over with them your expectations? That should be the 1st thing to determine if you want them to work on your vehicle - not afterwards when everything was left to chance beforehand.


Yes, I've used them before. And despite what happened, I *want* to like them. The guy at the counter is always helpful and friendly, and he always seems to be there when I show up. I've had my state inspections done there, and had my spare tire mounted on a rim before. Plus it's literally a half mile down the road. I've had people recommend them as well.

I absolutely will not go over my expectations with them beforehand. It is very self-explanatory. Pay for a service and receive such. Nothing broken or missing afterward, quality service done right, or I'm off to the next guy. Sorry, but I just don't agree with your philosophy.

 

[StormRider]

They are supposed to use wheel weights that are made for aluminum wheels with thicker wheel rims than steel. You can make a steel wheel weight fit an aluminum rim, but they don't stay on for long. If they used steel wheel weights then don't be surprised if you throw a weight in the future. You're also supposed to use coated wheel weights on the front side of the rim so you don't scratch the finish during installation.

We only used to use sticky wieghts on the inside rim for drag racing slicks and "bling" rims that had no wheel rim to attach a traditional weight. You have to get the weight on there good and flush or it'll get thrown from the rim...

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I take the center caps off myself, and then put them back on myself. Problem solved there.

I also have my tires static balanced, which they will only have weights on the inside lip of the rim (no weights on the outside lip at all).


While your solution is valid, if I'm paying the shop $25 a tire to get them mounted and balanced correctly, it should be done right. I could live with wiping the blue off myself, even cleaning up the wheel after they're done..

But not correctly installing a center cap such that it falls off is a new one for me. What exactly are they getting paid for? Pressing forward reverse on their impact, lugging things around, and start/stop on the balancer?

I doubt the average motorist pays attention to which kind of wheel weights are used, but this is an issue they should address as well.


I can understand your position, but if you've removed the center caps and they are locked in the truck, then they can't be broken by some clueless dude in the service shop, now can they?

I'm just trying to take control of the things that I can control...

Let me tell you something. You think you're mad?

My $12,000 motorcycle (see signature below) has been sitting in a Honda dealer's shop for 4 weeks now, because Honda keeps sending the dealer brand new *defective* brake parts.

Defective part #1 failed on me 400 miles from home, after I had ridden in the mountains for three solid days. Look Ma.... no brakes. Three more defective parts later, and we're still
no closer to getting it repaired than we were on July 19th.

And Honda doesn't seem to be too troubled by the fact that they're shipping defective motorcycle brake components to a dealer.

I'll trade you a busted center cap and some blue whitewalls any day...

 

[WTJackalope]

That story sounds like what I have experienced from several Discount Tire locations around West Texas. Total incompetence.

 

[tomcat27]

they have damaged your wheels by using crimp weights - alloys are either painted or have a clear coat finish on them - which is now scratched and will oxidize. butchers!

 

[benjamming]

mrsilv,

Honda & their motorcycle division reminds me of GM & their 3.1L engines but on a life-threatening scale (remember the frame weld problems on the Goldwing?).

92,

I certainly see & understand where you are coming from.
There is no excuse for shoddy work. I'm certainly not taking up for them in that regard & they do deserve criticism. I wish you the best with not taking my stance but I came to that conclusion based upon running out of tire stores. I never found a tire store within 75 miles that would perform the services that I expected (same as you) without going over everything first with them including the guy in the shop doing the actual work. I also only use one particular guy in the shop since I don't want to have to go back through all of that again with someone else in the shop that might still not care. Then I'd have to find another shop & repeat the process at risk. Like you, I want to continue to use the shop that I'm using now.

 

[97f150]

MIL had her oil changed, tires rotated, and brakes checked at this quick lube place toward the end of June. "Supposedly" everything checks out o.k.
Fast forward to a week ago. She calls me up saying her car is shaking while rolling and making a grinding noise when applying brakes. Me, being 2 hours away tells her to bring car (05 Maxima) to shop, mechanic shop this time. Mechanic shows her where 3 of the 5 lugs have been twisted off, only 2 holding tire on. Rear brakes are also worn and bearing shot as well.