Discount Tire (rant), and quality of "service"

[Duh_Vinci]

I wanted to re-balance my front tires on R129, took them off the car, to avoid any potential scratches from the center caps and lug bolts removal by the shop, drove up to newly opened Discount Tire store, the only store locally that uses Roadforce balancing machine.

"All set, no charge, we'll help you to load the wheels in the car..."

I took one, and employee took the other one. As I'm closing the hatch on the Volvo, decided to reposition the wheels/tires... and what do I find:







They obliviously dropped something on the wheel, that bounced off since there are multiple chips. The biggest issue I have with this, at least come up to a customer, and tell them, hey, oops happened, very sorry, what can we do to rectify it? Nope, like nothing never fcuking happened... hoped that customer does not notice???

I still have the paint code, will have to re-finish the wheel, but this is not just a spray over, will have to use a little bit of mud filler to feather it out... 3 years of driving, not a single chip or scuff mark.

And this half ass service just seem to be a trend?

Few months back, W202 received new shoes, NTB had the best price, legit, buy 3 tires, get 1 free, so I went there... Greasy boot prints on the light grey spotless carpet, black grease prints on the light grey steering wheel leather insert, black grease scuff marks on the door pocket, broken pegs of the center cap and missing x2 of the valve stem caps. Didn't stop there... Vibration at certain speeds. 2nd appt for re-balancing: "Three of 4 wheels the balance was slightly off, sorry, we took care of it" Black prints of greasy shoes and on the steering wheel again...

Deeply disappointing to say the least.

 

[ace10]

That looks willful.


Related but probably not helpful... I just had a really great experience with powder coating a set of winter wheels locally in Chantilly (VA). I handed them a set of five breaker yard quality Land Rover wheels. Not terrible condition, but they needed a lot of smoothing. Some scars on the faces and some rash on the lips. Also gave them a set of Nokian tires for mounting. They used stick on weights, so we'll see how that holds up.

The quality of work was great. Price was okay, but I can accept paying good money for a proper, caring job.




I've never used Discount Tire. There's a tiny neighborhood garage down the road that has Hunter road force equipment and an old timer who really knows how to use it. They have three mechanics and when that guy is out, they tell me to come back when he's working. It's usually around $200 for 5 SUV tires, so definitely not inexpensive, but I've never had to go back for a problem.

 

[gsxr]

Few months back, W202 received new shoes, NTB had the best price, legit, buy 3 tires, get 1 free, so I went there... Greasy boot prints on the light grey spotless carpet, black grease prints on the light grey steering wheel leather insert, black grease scuff marks on the door pocket, broken pegs of the center cap and missing x2 of the valve stem caps. Didnt stop there... Vibration at certain speeds. 2nd appt for re-balancing: Three of 4 wheels the balance was slightly off, sorry, we took care of it Black prints of greasy shoes and on the steering wheel again...

This... ^^^

... is why my vehicles never roll into a tire shop. I remove the wheels at home, and bring the loose wheels/tires to the shop. That way they can't screw anything up. My bad experience was in the late 90's on one of my first MB's. I watched as the shop tech drove my W124 over one of those big flat pads that lift by pressing all over the entire bottom of the car. Not the 4 lift pads / jack points, EVERYWHERE underneath, which meant squishing the exhaust system upward. I was not pleased.

If you have near-mint wheels, I'd recommend bringing them loose, and showing all four to the store manager when you drop them off. Point out any imperfections and politely ask they are returned in the same condition. Take photos before if you are nervous. When I had tires mounted on brand new Maxilites, I applied painter's tape along the outer edge. Along with reducing probability of scratches, it also is a neon flashing sign to the dude (or dudette) swapping tires. Most likely they've never seen this before and may be slightly more careful. Maybe.

 

[sheward]

The Discount tire I use has been exceptional with their service for many years. Very conscientious and careful. I recently brought them a tire to patch which they did at no charge, even though it was a tire purchased else ware. The managers rotate into the shop and work once a week as company policy.

I suspect the employees were new at your new store. So hard to find good ones these days. I feel for you. Refinishing has gone up as well.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

The quality of work was great. Price was okay, but I can accept paying good money for a proper, caring job.

View attachment 158439


Ive never used Discount Tire. Theres a tiny neighborhood garage down the road that has Hunter road force equipment and an old timer who really knows how to use it. They have three mechanics and when that guy is out, they tell me to come back when hes working. Its usually around $200 for 5 SUV tires, so definitely not inexpensive, but Ive never had to go back for a problem.

Cheers! Can't agree more, I don't mind paying, particularly for the work well done! And perhaps if the balancing was NOT free at DIscoutTire, maybe they would care more. What good does this "Free" to me if I have to re-finish the wheel due to their negligence...

I used to take all of my wheels to my brother's friend's father, Porsche enthusiast, use to race them, he has all the equipment in his garage, and would take a great care of the tire balancing, cutting down each and every bit of a weight to a fractions, so the the final results were impeccable. There are health issues now, so I'm forced to find an alternative.

Unfortunately, these Carlsson wheels could not be powder coated, so I was told, as one wheel had a deep curb rash that could not be removed



I could only use a metal infused filler to feather it out, but it was suggested by the shop who stripped the wheels that the powder charge would not stick to that area of correction, and I the only option is to paint



They came out great, used epoxy coating and layers of paint and durable clear.



Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

This... ^^^

... is why my vehicles never roll into a tire shop. I remove the wheels at home, and bring the loose wheels/tires to the shop. That way they cant screw anything up. My bad experience was in the late 90s on one of my first MBs. I watched as the shop tech drove my W124 over one of those big flat pads that lift by pressing all over the entire bottom of the car. Not the 4 lift pads / jack points, EVERYWHERE underneath, which meant squishing the exhaust system upward. I was not pleased.
...

That is what I typically do, and did it this morning too (w202 has and older set of AMG wheels, and while no curb rash, certainly are 15 years old aging, so those didn't quite bother me to drive the car there)... and magically, this morning my efforts of handing them the wheels off the car made no difference Now, you Dave take it to entirely different level, props for all the prep work! I just never had to worry about it for the last 20+ years, since Rick (Porsche enthusiast) took spectacular care of all of our wheel needs, understood and cared for them as one should! Time takes toll on people, and I'm forced to find another shop (reluctantly)

The Discount tire I use has been exceptional with their service for many years. Very conscientious and careful. I recently brought them a tire to patch which they did at no charge, even though it was a tire purchased else ware. The managers rotate into the shop and work once a week as company policy.

I suspect the employees were new at your new store. So hard to find good ones these days. I feel for you. Refinishing has gone up as well.

Yes Sir, all that! I will sort it out, just a bad timing, really don't have time to mess with the wheel, and the weather in the near future would not be at best for painting. Mounted to the passenger side so I don't see it (yeah, that's my solution lol)

 

[maw1124]

Yeah... you hate to see that ... I've had good luck with all tire shops... but then again I'm the guy who shows up, hovers in the garage door, tips in advance and says "careful with those wheels; they're not available anymore and I just had them redone." I feel like the tip buys me that leeway. I'm cool about it but the message is clear. Whatever I'm paying the company is a separate issue -- I'm paying YOU to get it right and not to Fkk up my wheels.

maw

 

[Duh_Vinci]

...Im paying YOU to get it right and not to Fkk up my wheels.

Boom!!! That^^^!!!

On the positive note, "decompressed" a little, made Apple, Blueberry, Walnut tart with honey drizzle... Cooking and kitchen removed the anger out me



Imma going to let it cool off, double espresso and the day is just fine...

 

[2phast]

I have used Discount Tire and Les Schwab without issue, BUT, when I go there, I make it abundantly clear how anal I am about them treating these wheels as if they are worth more then their own lives. Furthermore, I always ask to have the most experienced tech in their shop work on my car, most of the time this results with "He is busy right now, you will have to wait" which is fine by me. Before any work is started, I speak with this tech and give him a walk around of the car, discuss how careful he needs to be, where to put weights etc. If the wheels are reverse mount, I make sure to inform them of this fact and ask if they have the proper equipment/training to do reverse mount. I also offer up my nylon lined impact socket for them to use and instruct them NOT to pound out my center caps like a "caveman" using a stone hammer and chisel.

I always tip this guy, although they are not suppose to accept tips, sometimes I have to insert it into their shirt pocket, I want them to be properly compensated for treating my property with with the upmost respect and dealing with my OCD.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I have used Discount Tire and Les Schwab without issue, BUT, when I go there, I make it abundantly clear how anal I am about them treating these wheels as if they are worth more then their own lives. Furthermore, I always ask to have the most experienced tech in their shop work on my car, most of the time this results with He is busy right now, you will have to wait which is fine by me. Before any work is started, I speak with this tech and give him a walk around of the car, discuss how careful he needs to be, where to put weights etc. If the wheels are reverse mount, I make sure to inform them of this fact and ask if they have the proper equipment/training to do reverse mount. I also offer up my nylon lined impact socket for them to use and instruct them NOT to pound out my center caps like a caveman using a stone hammer and chisel.

I always tip this guy, although they are not suppose to accept tips, sometimes I have to insert it into their shirt pocket, I want them to be properly compensated for treating my property with with the upmost respect and dealing with my OCD.

Rick, this is what I would probably have to start doing, just for so for years a and years, I had my tires mounted and balances with the most care and precision with that Porsche enthusiast in his garage, no more, unfortunately... I believe that I've done almost all that I could yesterday, other than

I make it abundantly clear how anal I am about them treating these wheels as if they are worth more then their own lives

I removed the wheels (using sleeved 17mm socket), removed the center caps, cleaned up the wheels off any dust, hand delivered them to the shop... Tips, absolutely, in my household we somehow use to the habit that every one gets it, even a state inspector, right or wrong, we all need to eat

Going to stop by Refinish Solutions tomorrow after work, have them mix me a bit of 756 AMG IMOLA GRAU, and maybe pick up a "disposable" Central Pneumatic 2 gun set from Harbor, so I won't have to clean up the mess and use my own paint guns (that is one thing I absolutely dislike, must admit, cleaning the paint guns, mess and smell I guess),

Regards,
D

 

[Jlaa]

Theres a tiny neighborhood garage down the road that has Hunter road force equipment and an old timer who really knows how to use it. They have three mechanics and when that guy is out, they tell me to come back when hes working. Its usually around $200 for 5 SUV tires, so definitely not inexpensive, but Ive never had to go back for a problem.

This is what I do. Almost the same price - $200 at my local Porsche/MB Independent shop to mount, roadforce, unmount, remount, clock-road force correctly (iterative....) , then balance four wheels.

... is why my vehicles never roll into a tire shop. I remove the wheels at home, and bring the loose wheels/tires to the shop. That way they cant screw anything up.

If you have near-mint wheels, Id recommend bringing them loose, and showing all four to the store manager when you drop them off. Point out any imperfections and politely ask they are returned in the same condition.

I have adopted @gsxr's approach here as well. Take the tires/wheels to the shop. No car attached.

 

[RicardoD]

I recently learned my lesson the hard way on this. The local Big-O tried to jack up my wife's 2014 MB E350 via the plastic cladding rocker panel and damaged it. Of course this was not disclosed to me as I discovered it about an hour later after I left.

There is a local racing prep / performance shop that I will know always go to. I will remove the wheels myself and then bring tires and wheels to this shop. Mistakes are ok, not admitting to them is unacceptable.

 

[Roma_500E]

I wanted to re-balance my front tires on R129, took them off the car, to avoid any potential scratches from the center caps and lug bolts removal by the shop, drove up to newly opened Discount Tire store, the only store locally that uses Roadforce balancing machine.

All set, no charge, well help you to load the wheels in the car...

I took one, and employee took the other one. As Im closing the hatch on the Volvo, decided to reposition the wheels/tires... and what do I find:

View attachment 158436

View attachment 158437

View attachment 158438

They obliviously dropped something on the wheel, that bounced off since there are multiple chips. The biggest issue I have with this, at least come up to a customer, and tell them, hey, oops happened, very sorry, what can we do to rectify it? Nope, like nothing never fcuking happened... hoped that customer does not notice???

I still have the paint code, will have to re-finish the wheel, but this is not just a spray over, will have to use a little bit of mud filler to feather it out... 3 years of driving, not a single chip or scuff mark.

And this half ass service just seem to be a trend?

Few months back, W202 received new shoes, NTB had the best price, legit, buy 3 tires, get 1 free, so I went there... Greasy boot prints on the light grey spotless carpet, black grease prints on the light grey steering wheel leather insert, black grease scuff marks on the door pocket, broken pegs of the center cap and missing x2 of the valve stem caps. Didnt stop there... Vibration at certain speeds. 2nd appt for re-balancing: Three of 4 wheels the balance was slightly off, sorry, we took care of it Black prints of greasy shoes and on the steering wheel again...

Deeply disappointing to say the least.

I had exactly the same situation with the discount tire in MN.

I purchased new set of Michelin PSS and had DT to mount them on my wheesl (SL/CLS 5 spoke AMGs) that I purchased new.

So after DT I got marks and scuffs on the edges on 3 wheels out 4. Later on we figured out they did the damages by the worn out equipment for mounting tires.

Talked to the store and they said it is an old car so you may not notice you have damages (lol)

Contacted with the guy who operates all DTs in that area and resoleved my issue (luckly he was the MB fan and owner of SL55 ).

P.S. By the way balancing at DTs is not a good idea as well. I had a little shaking after 120MPHs. So had my car perfoming a "road force" balancing at dealer. Top speed - no shaking whatsoever.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Talked to the store and they said it is an old car so you may not notice you have a damages (lol)

Yeah, that ^^^ wow!

Finding someone who's actually is enthusiast and takes pride at what they do now days - is very very rare!

Regards,
D

 

[LWB250]

Tires Plus is a chain that has a shop nearby that actually has a spreader bar for aligning Mercedes. No one else I could find in the area outside the dealer did this. As a result I've given them a fair amount of business over the years, but in the past couple of years their service has gone downhill.

I took the staggered R230 Revolution wheels that were on Mrs. Dan's R129 in for replacement tires. I took a photo of each wheel as it was unloaded from my car when I arrived.

When I picked them up, every one of the wheels was scratched. And not just light scratches, we're talking deep scratches into the metal. To say I was pissed was an understatement. At first they tried to deny it, but I showed them the pictures and got the tech to confirm that he saw me take the photos of them as we unloaded the wheels.

"So what do you want us to do?"

"Have them refinished. To my standards."

"What's that going to cost?"

"Probably about $200/wheel."

<silence>

"We're going to have to speak to corporate."

"Sure, no problem, I understand. But if I don't have a resolution to this in 2-3 business days, I'll be making a claim in small claims court for the damages."

A couple days later the manager called me and told me to get them refinished and they would pay the bill. They did. It was nearly $900, and they had to remove and remount the tires as a part of the deal. Needless to say they didn't bugger them up the second time.

Lesson learned (for them), hopefully. And no, I won't be taking anything back to them as far as wheels or tires again.

Dan