Problem with replacing tire

[Deleted member 38176]

So I went into Discount Tire today to have my front passenger tire changed. I've got 245's up front and 275's in the rear. I was told that due to a new policy, I could not just replace 1 or both of the front tires without replacing the rear tires as well because of the staggered setup. I asked why but the salesman didn't do a very good job of explaining it, mentioning something along the lines of it being the tire manufacturers themselves that implemented this policy due to lawsuits and the such.

So, I went in expecting to spend no more than $120 to replace my tire and now they're telling me that I would have to cough up a minimum of $400 to replace the rears as well. I kinda lost my cool, made a scene, and stormed out. As I was driving off, the manager stopped me, apologized, and said that they would make an exception this time and just replace the front tire, which they did.

Does anyone know about this new policy? They also said that it wasn't just Discount Tire but every tire retailer. Sounds absolutely ridiculous to me.

 

[darkside03gt]

Never heard that before. I actually just had the front tires on my truck replaced without a hassle. You could always just order your tires from discount tire or tire rack online and have them installed at a shop. I dont see how you can force someone to replace all 4 tires when more then a few cars out there run staggered setups from the factory.

 

[LarsD]

Sounds like a scam to sell more tires.

 

[bhuff30]

Personally, I would at least replace tires in pairs. If I ran staggered sizes, I would have identical models on the front and back. It really is a safety and handling concern. At the limit, tires behave very differently from eachother depending on the construction, tread pattern and compounds, and sometimes even the build date.

But yes, requiring the replacement of 4 tires at the same time is pretty rediculous and sounds like a good way to increase sales.

The only tire problem like this I've run into is walmart not wanting to mount tires with less than 3/32s of tread onto rims which I walk in. Yes, I understand why... but I only wanted tires for the car to sit on while the DRs are in storage. I don't drive the car in the winter at all.

 

[Deleted member 38176]

Well on top of everything else, when they agreed to change the 1 tire they told me they could only replace it with a tire of the same speed rating as the others. They wouldn't sell me a tire with a different speed rating.

The rest of my tires have a W speed rating (160mph) and the cheapy tire I wanted had an H speed rating (140mph) so they said they couldn't sell me the tire I wanted and instead had to go with a tire that was $40 more that had the W speed rating. Not wanting to make another fuss and just wanting to get out of there, I jokingly told him that my car wont even hit 140 or 160mph anyway so what difference did it make?

All in all it was a very frustrating and disappointing visit. Next time I change tires Im going to buy them from someone else, take the whole wheel off, and just have them mount it. What a pain in the ass.

 

[GDawg]

They are full of ****. Take your business elsewhere.

 

[PULMEOVR]

Never heard of that before. Sounds like they are BSing you. I would have been pissed too.

 

[VOORHEES]

what if you had had a blowout or something.....just to replace one tire they expect you to do the others. thats bull.

-J

 

[nancygrl]

 

[N8Dogg98]

That's lame, but really you should replace them in pairs. Fortunately for me I have a good friend who manages a Firestone shop about 2 miles from my house... he always hooks me up

 

[Deleted member 38176]

I posted this on my local board that has a few members who actually work in the local tire market. They said there's no such policy and just a sales scam to get more money.

 

[flstang65]

At my shop, I don't make anyone buy anything they don't want to but, that being said... When it came to cars with all wheel drive or full time 4 wheel drive, we would suggest that they replace all 4 because it can mess up the transmission and/or transfer case. When installing new tires on a car you MUST put AT LEAST the factory correct speed rating at the bare minimum. If the car does not have it's original tires on it and less than all 4 are being replaced, the tires going on the vehicle MUST be the same speed rating as the tires currently on the car. Tires with different speed ratings, tread paterns, ect can cause handling issues. As far as rotations, balancing, alignments, ect...we can't do anything with worn/broken steering/suspension parts (obviously) or, if the tires are worn to 3/32nd's of tread or less. All of that is to cover the shop against any frivolous law suits, and some of what I said above is actually the law. The RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) also sets a lot of those rules and guidelines. Any time any deviations were made from the rules, the customers are made to sign a waiver releasing the shop from all responsibility.

Case in point, I had a guy come in with a G8 GT. The car was flat sick but, he wanted el cheapo tires. I had to show him in print all those rules and regulations. I invited him to shop around and do his homework on other tires, check with other shops and the rules/laws, and that I truly wanted his business. In the end I found him a killer deal on some Goodyear's and he ended up becomong one of my best customers becuase of my honesty and actually taking the time to help him out.

 

[Maxpowers]

This is something new. Too many lawsuits. A company by me wouldn't put winter tires on the front and all seasons on the rear of my better. Very simple to get around though. Just take the one tire in that needs changed.

 

[slayerripkdc]

I had a shop that would not do my cars alignment due to having staggered wheels. I was pissed because all the other shops couldnt do my car because it was to low.

 

[Deleted member 38176]

I received a lovely phone call @ 8am this morning from our friends at the Discount Tire on N Mesa. I was reluctant to answer seeing as I was so incredibly hung over from last night, but I did. They are still trying to get me to replace my rear tires, giving me the song and dance about how they would feel better knowing that I was safe on the streets with some good tires lol! These guys just don't give up.

 

[Rejekt]

I received a lovely phone call @ 8am this morning from our friends at the Discount Tire on N Mesa. I was reluctant to answer seeing as I was so incredibly hung over from last night, but I did. They are still trying to get me to replace my rear tires, giving me the song and dance about how they would feel better knowing that I was safe on the streets with some good tires lol! These guys just don't give up.

lol Mess with em. Next time they call, tell them you're in the hospital bed with 2 broken legs because they let you drive off without replacing your other tires, and you had a blowout and wrecked into uh.... we'll go with... a construction site port-a-john. lol

 

[GDawg]

lol Mess with em. Next time they call, tell them you're in the hospital bed with 2 broken legs because they let you drive off without replacing your other tires, and you had a blowout and wrecked into uh.... we'll go with... a construction site port-a-john. lol

That's what I would do...!

I think I'm on a national database now that I'm known for giving companies ****...

 

[LarsD]

I received a lovely phone call @ 8am this morning from our friends at the Discount Tire on N Mesa. I was reluctant to answer seeing as I was so incredibly hung over from last night, but I did. They are still trying to get me to replace my rear tires, giving me the song and dance about how they would feel better knowing that I was safe on the streets with some good tires lol! These guys just don't give up.

They are some persistent S.O.B.'s aren't they?

 

[crzyhrse99]

lol Mess with em. Next time they call, tell them you're in the hospital bed with 2 broken legs because they let you drive off without replacing your other tires, and you had a blowout and wrecked into uh.... we'll go with... a construction site port-a-john. lol

Yes, do this to this extreme and see if u get a respnse lol.