Bonehead tire "mechanics"

[Thingfish]

Originally Posted By: WTJackalope
That story sounds like what I have experienced from several Discount Tire locations around West Texas. Total incompetence.



One of the Discounts in Vegas hit all four of my 7 month old gold BBS's ( @ $854 each ) on my Subaru with an impact gun, and dragged every one across the balancer screw ripping paint off the face around the bore.

 

[alreadygone]

At my shop we do a LOT of tires/flats for a LOT of people. Most want in and out as quickly as possible with reasonable attention to detail. We still charge $5. to mount, $5. to balance. That doesn't buy a lot of perfection! If you want perfection, you'd better bring it up in advance,,and be willing to pay for it!!!

Actually, I'd prefer the picky-boys just go on down the road,,we're almost allways as busy as the present # of employees can handle.

Also, don't expect a lot of enthuisasm from someone you didn't buy from initally. We're a Tire Rack prefered installer, while we try to do a competemt job of the installation, You're not buying from us, so you've earned no future comps.

Bob

 

[Thingfish]

I paid for lifetime "Tom Foolery" ( balance,road hazard etc. ) when I bought almost $6000 in tires and wheels. ( From the shop that scratched them )

 

[ionbeam22]

This is why I do my tires at Costco. Way too many clowns in this business.

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: alreadygone
At my shop we do a LOT of tires/flats for a LOT of people. Most want in and out as quickly as possible with reasonable attention to detail. We still charge $5. to mount, $5. to balance. That doesn't buy a lot of perfection! If you want perfection, you'd better bring it up in advance,,and be willing to pay for it!!!

Actually, I'd prefer the picky-boys just go on down the road,,we're almost allways as busy as the present # of employees can handle.

Also, don't expect a lot of enthuisasm from someone you didn't buy from initally. We're a Tire Rack prefered installer, while we try to do a competemt job of the installation, You're not buying from us, so you've earned no future comps.

Bob


geez, i'd be sure to pay your shop a visit next time. NOT.

you are in a service industry, as in you serve your customers, who are actually your clients. clients expect a basic degree of respect when the service they are paying for is getting done.

 

[FowVay]

It's comments like those from 'alreadygone' that create such a embarassment for people in the industry. A person of true integrity will perform the job to the best of their abilities every single time whether they're being paid $1 or $100. To adjust your own personal level of competence based on what your shop charges is disgusting.

When I work on a persons car I do the task precisely as described in the service manual and use methods and techniques (ie: correct torque values and norms) as dictated. Whether the job is a freeby for the local church or full-price event at the personal request of the owner, I NEVER cut corners just to get the job done fast. I either dedicate the time and effort for the job or I don't take on the work load.

The attitude that has been displayed is exactly what is wrong with this industry.

 

[Dave Sherman]

I feel your pain, the last time I bought tires was a fun one. I knew that they couldn't change the valve stems because they are part of the tire pressure sensors, so if they were going to insist on slapping on the valve stem fees I was going to insist they change the valve cores. Just to make sure, I put a dab of paint on each valve core before I left home.
Sure enough, they put the valve stem fees on. I pointed out they couldn't just change the valve stems, so they agreed to change the cores. Then they started the upsell song and dance, and tried to sell me a "fuel system cleaning" which was "recommended by Honda". Uh huh, sure. Then they suggested new air filters, again claiming that it was according to Honda's schedule (it wasn't).
So I get the car back, and look under the valve stem caps. Funny, they still have the paint marks I put on. So back in I went, and asked if they changed the valve cores. "Yes". "No, if you did, then they wouldn't have the paint marks I put on them". Pale look from the guy behind the counter, so he runs and talks to the tech, who then looks nervous. He comes back out and says "Uh, the tech forgot to change them, but we can offer you a free oil change". No thanks, change them or refund the fees. They ended up refunding them.
A couple months later I found the final insult was they must have had the impact wrench set at the "cold weld" setting. I couldn't budge them with my cross arm lug wrench, and the stubby factory wrench would have been useless if I got a flat. I was so close to driving back there, demanding they give me a free rotation (since that's what I was trying to do), giving them the factory wrench, and telling them they have to use the factory wrench to get them off, since that's what I would have had to do if I had a flat on the road.

 

[benjamming]

Fow,

You would go out of business in some parts of the country as most people won't pay for that level of attention. They sure won't in my hometown. Bob is in business to make money. If his customers are happy, then good for Bob. Providing more service than customers are willing to pay will result in money lost for the owner. Most people just want the round black things to stay on so they can drive to a fast food joint.

Having an idea of where Bob is located & some of his previous stories, you would be laughed at there as a know-it-all city boy or at least that is what they say where I am from. His customers beg him to cut corners as that will cut cost. He has stated on here many times some of the corners that he will not cut due to safety issues but they still want him to.

With that said, I want & will pay (& do) for above & beyond service, i.e. perfection. I would probably go to your shop. However, everyone can't afford that level of service.

Dave,

They probably tightened them real well just for you!

 

[FowVay]

Benjamming, you're probably correct with your comment. People want cheap,, at all costs. Hand picking your customers probably isn't going to be the best business model for success.

 

[Thingfish]

They should at the least, be able to tell the difference between a $49 steel wheel, and a $900 forged piece, and take the proper precautions to not damage a customers property. ( Especially after a big, angry guy was very clear that for every scratch he finds, somebody would be disemboweled by a broken beer bottle )

Lack of respect, cost Discount four new wheels in my case.

Thank you for the forged Volks Discount...

 

[97f150]

Originally Posted By: Thingfish
They should at the least, be able to tell the difference between a $49 steel wheel, and a $900 forged piece, and take the proper precautions to not damage a customers property. ( Especially after a big, angry guy was very clear that for every scratch he finds, somebody would be disemboweled by a broken beer bottle )

Lack of respect, cost Discount four new wheels in my case.

Thank you for the forged Volks Discount...

That is greatness! And for the one who posted about his shop charging cheap and not giving a hoot, an attitude like that will get you nowhere in life. What you shop charges is their choosing and you should do your best regardless of price. Its a matter of personal integrity and sense of pride. That one post speaks volumes of your character.

 

[alreadygone]

My character keeps two employees and myself going balls to the wall 10 hours per day,5 days per week. If I hire more help it'd just get more complicated than I care to deal with.

Those who want better are welcome to go looking for it,,,most come back cause it's a lot worse most everywhere else.

Bob

 

[Kestas]

I'm with Bob. He knows his clientele and how to do business.

At work, I'm known as someone who is thorough and leaves no stone unturned when I'm working in engineering forensics, including clear pictures and illustrations. Unfortunately, no one in management cares for diligent work. They just want it out the door as quickly as possible with as little time spent on it as possible. As you can imagine, success in my career depends on how management perceives my work. Thay are willing to take the chance that I may provide incomplete information or misinform.

This attitude is pervasive in nearly everything the public does nowadays... from getting your roof retiled to the do-it-for-me oil changes.

I once had a 66 Corvette where I ran into a similar situation. It needed a battery and Sears offered a free charging system check with each battery sold. After taking their new battery home and installing it myself, I drove down to the service department for the free check. They did check it out, but told me that had they known it was a Corvette, they would have refused sale - probably because of bad experiences they had with previous Corvette owners.

 

[double vanos]

Instead of checking Ebay for a cap, maybe you should be looking for a tire mounting machine and a balancer as well.
It has crossed my mind several times ,especially while watching my tires get mounted and balanced.
Why pay someone to screw things up when I can do that for free? (and maybe do better).

 

[FowVay]

Wow, it's amazing how mediocrity is so widely accepted and even defended in our society. I guess that explains a lot about our economic state.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted By: double vanos
Instead of checking Ebay for a cap, maybe you should be looking for a tire mounting machine and a balancer as well.
It has crossed my mind several times ,especially while watching my tires get mounted and balanced.
Why pay someone to screw things up when I can do that for free? (and maybe do better).


It's sad that half the reason I do my own repair/maintenance is because of corporate bull*** or idiot mechanics. I see it everywhere, and I pity the customer who walks into any shop with no knowledge, who often get sold hundreds of $ worth of [censored] they don't need.

I remember one time driving to Las Vegas when my Knock sensor [censored] out. It caused the ECU to dump boost and retard timing, such that I had to drive 5k rpm to maintain 70mph. I took it to a repair shop (firestone?) who told me it was the fuel filter. They wanted $400 to replace it, when Nissan doesn't even call for replacement during it's service life.

I told him to keep his fuel filter, and I hopped online to find that it was the K/S, a common problem. I later replaced the fuel filter for about $20 and 25 minutes of my time.

I wish I could afford a tire mounting machine and balancer. With that kind of initial investment, I'd have to open a tire shop!

 

[Kestas]

Have you considered a harbor Freight tire changer for $40? The only caveat is that while it's okay for steel wheels, I don't know how to use it without scratching alloy wheels.

A bubble balancer can be bought for $25... a vertical balancer for $100.

I have both tire changer and vertical balancer that have paid for themselves.

 

[gizzsdad]

Originally Posted By: FowVay
Benjamming, you're probably correct with your comment. People want cheap,, at all costs. Hand picking your customers probably isn't going to be the best business model for success.


I am amazed that people have forgotten/didn't read this thread:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/the-discount-tire-rotation-experience.109805/

While I don't have a DT store in my state, reading this thread convinced me to send the above link to friends/relatives in states that did. Wonder how many of them forwarded as well........?

 

[92saturnsl2]

I haven't seen any Discount Tires in this area... But I travel often enough that I find them. I received impeccable service from discounttiredirect.com, I may have to wait until I come across a DT store for my tire service in the future.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
Fow,

You would go out of business in some parts of the country as most people won't pay for that level of attention. They sure won't in my hometown. Bob is in business to make money. If his customers are happy, then good for Bob. Providing more service than customers are willing to pay will result in money lost for the owner. Most people just want the round black things to stay on so they can drive to a fast food joint.

Having an idea of where Bob is located & some of his previous stories, you would be laughed at there as a know-it-all city boy or at least that is what they say where I am from. His customers beg him to cut corners as that will cut cost. He has stated on here many times some of the corners that he will not cut due to safety issues but they still want him to.

With that said, I want & will pay (& do) for above & beyond service, i.e. perfection. I would probably go to your shop. However, everyone can't afford that level of service.

Dave,

They probably tightened them real well just for you!

Agreed. Most certain people in certain areas simply just want it done.


If you have a beat up 11 year old Escort, you're going to want the cheapest stuff possible.


And in this ecomony, more and more people are going that way. So I'm guessing his business is good.


When I replace tires on the Cavalier (pretty much the "baby" at the moment), I might watch a little. And I'm willing to pay to have it done right. Heck, I'll even have the wheel covers off so they don't get beat up. Granted, I'm not worried about dirty tires or scratched up steelies....

As long as they don't grease up the inside of my car. That is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Even at 5 bucks, I don't want to come back to a greased up steering wheel....I almost got into a fight at a local dealership over that...

Granted, I'd much rather use a local tire shop (I know a few good ones) and pay a few bucks more for tires...I make sure they do a good job. But then again, I'll tip in good beer...