Should I provide feedback to tire store?
 

The other day I got new tires for my 2006 Tahoe, Michelin Defender LTX about $200/ea. After all was said and done I was out $1073.

Over the years I've used Wheel Works and after Firestone bought them it doesn't seem I'm getting personalized service anymore. We (other P-car owners for street and track tires) used to have a guy we would contact at one Wheel Works and he took care of us. E.g. he let me watch the tire mounting and balance/etc. Not any more. So I went to an independent store - family owned for many years to try them out.

I went to the new place to get a quote - it seemed reasonable compared to TireRack so I ordered the tires and went in the the next day to get them installed. I stayed and watched as much as I could, including the alignment. One of the fronts was wearing unevenly so I decided to go for the alignment.

I noticed several things:

1 - the guy using the torque wrench was not using it properly, I didn't ask what he had it set at - supposed to be 140 lb.-ft. I checked the torque when I got home and about 80% or more came loose with my torque wrench set at 140. I re-torqued all the nuts.

2 - All the tire pressures were high - 35 to 40 psi. The door says 32 psi. I reset the pressures to 34psi cold. 44psi is the pressure max. written on the side of the tire.

3 - The goop they lubricate the wheel with attached to/stained the tire and it doesn't wash off so far. Also, the goop got on my wheels and sunk into the clear coating making streaks. I got most of the streaking to go away after cleaning and polishing with 3 different products.

4 - on a positive note - the kid doing the alignment appeared to try and do a good job -I was watching the numbers on the display as he worked.

I got a number of emails asking for feedback and a review.

So the question is should I go back and let the owner know what I observed? I'm happy with the tires and alignment. I want to do business there again, the owner seemed nice enough but I don't know how he might feel after I discuss things with him. I'm thinking other places are worse.

How do you expect them to improve service if they don't get meaningful feedback?
Best
Les

Yes

I am fortunate to have a good tire shop near my office

I talk with the manager or owner and tell them what's your exception are. They, like everyone else is a run of the mill shop and the general public expects that kind of service. You want custom worm and real care, that has co come with a price, IMO. I go to this dirty little tire shop I have been going to for the past 20 years. The owner knows me and the guy that work on my car gets a 20 dollar tip and knows what my expectations are.

I think that's more effective then a survey?

when you get the stick out of your ass you'll find the Michelin LTX to be a great tire.

I have a feeling they fill tires a little high these days to avoid TPMS warnings on every fussy nanny car. I don't know if your tahoe would react like a newer car.

They asked for the feedback- I would certainly give it to them. Their reaction would likely influence your decision to go back.

The tone of your reply seems uncalled for. I said I was happy with the tires and by all accounts/reviews I should continue to be pleased with them. I can't tell by your stick-location response if you think I should go back and give the shop feedback or not, that was the question. If you don't care - that's fine. In that case you should have decided to not reply at all. Thanks to others who have provided some good feedback.

I think berettafan needs a stick hazard warranty.

I gave a tire store instant feedback when I caught their tech beating on the brake drum of my old Tundra with a four pound hammer. He broke a stud off of a rear hub getting the wheel off and had to get the drum off to replace the stud. He decided instead of using the forcing screw method Toyota had provided for he would just beat on it until it broke or came off.
I told the manager to tell that dumbass to stop beating on my truck.
He pushed back with, "We have to get the brake drum off."
"Then do it the right way!"
"This is the right way."
"No it's not, and if your tech can't do it right, tell him to put the wheel back on and I'll take it home and replace the stud myself."
"We can't let you drive out of here with a wheel stud missing."
"Put it on the ground. I'll pay for the tires. Park it out back. Just don't damage my truck any more than you already have."
About that time the drum came flying off and landed on the floor. I told him don't even think of charging me for a new drum if it's cracked.

I get emails asking for feedback every time I give out my email address. Tire stores, doctor's offices, etc,. I think it's an automatic email and they don't give a rat's azz because they don't read them.

You used your torque wrench to loosen lug nuts? Hmmmm.

It's called checking a torque. At a given setting the reverse torque (usually somewhat lower than the spec. torque) should not move the fitting. Doesn't hurt the wrench if that's what you are thinking. A nut put on with e.g. 140 lbs.-ft. should not move when you apply 140 in reverse. Static vs. dynamic friction. Since I found some easily moved before 140 (no click), I retorqued all the wheel nuts properly.

I should add that it's not a good idea (using a torque wrench as a breaker bar) if the torque required to remove the nut is much higher than the setting. So your point is well taken in one sense - if you are not checking the torque.

22 years ago when I bought my 911 I of course drove it to work to show my co-workers. I noticed one tire was low and I saw a nail in the tire. There was a family owned tire shop within 1/2 mile so I aired up the tire and zipped over there. I watched as they carefully jacked it up with a floor jack and large rubber pad. The took off the lugs with a hand wrench, took the tire off, patched the inside re-mounted in the same spot on the rim. Then they used a torque wrench to tighten the lugs. They don't charge for flat fixes so no charge even though I had not bought tires from them.

I wrote them a nice thank you letter and felt better. A few days latter a box shows up in my mail and it has a nice jacked with their logo on it. I still use it on occasion.

Unfortunately the family had had enough of the tire business after 70 years and they sold out to a big chain. It is just another tire shop, but they still do free flat fixes. I have taken my El Camino tires to them for a fix. And I have bought tires for the Elky there.

Now I buy my tires from Tire Rack for the 911. I use my scissor jack to get the 911 in the air, and dismount the 4 tires, and haul them and the new tires to a local shop. They do a "roadforce" balance and do a great job. It cost me $80 for the 4 tires to be mounted, balanced and dispose of the old tires. They know I am the grumpy and picky customer but they do a good job at not beating up my rims at all.

you asked what I thought of you giving feedback. I think you should set your tire pressure wherever you want it and move on. a 16 line post about wheel lug torque and tire pressure tells me you have more time to complain than most. It suggests to me you are not the most reasonable of people (such people would simply set the pressure where they want it and probably be happy torque was at least 90 and move on). OR you could've emailed them and said 'hey, be more careful with torque and tire pressures and I don't like the lubricant you use'.

but hey, feel free to carry on being the only guy on the planet surprised a min wage tire tech didn't do a perfect job.

Go to the tire dealer and provide constructive feedback to management . If they seem like they are paying attention and are concerned you can give them a 2nd chance . If they seem disinterested then you take your business elsewhere .

Why bother you can't change the culture at this tire store.
And your experience is the same as with most tire stores.
You could spend your entire life trying to fix tires stores, why bother.

Are we having a bad day, Beretta? SmileWavy

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