Bad day with Firestone
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
Bad day with Firestone
I bought some 11" ZR1's for my rear this week and some BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD 315/35/17's for them. I went to Firestone at 7:00am when they opened today. They told me it would cost $96 to mount, balance, and add valve stems. Fine. They had me leave them there cause they had another car infront of me to work on. Well, the tires were not ready until 4:00 pm. (9 hours later). If I remember correctly, I have had tires replaced in 10 minutes before. It is a simple job. Anyway, they loaded them up for me and I took them home to mount them on my vette. It was then that I found out that they mounted them backwards with the tread pattern going in the wrong direction. The sidewall clearly shows with words and arrows how it should be mounted. I guess I will be back there bright and early tomorrow morning. Good thing they are opened on Sundays. 
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Hope you have learned your lesson with Firestone. Next time, go to Discount Tire to get it done right the first time at a much cheaper cost than what you paid. Mount, balance and even chrome screw-in valve stems should have cost no more than $50 for both.
You probably could have waited for them at Discount. Absolutely no excuse for taking all day and then they weren't ready wheny ou showed up.
You probably could have waited for them at Discount. Absolutely no excuse for taking all day and then they weren't ready wheny ou showed up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,413
Likes: 138
From: Texas
I agree with the Discount statement, however, every single time I have gone to Discount, they are so busy you have to pretty much either make an appointment (if they even offer that) or come right when the gates open. Their service is good and they do good work, but everyone seems to know that, therefore everyone goes there at all hours of the day.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Well; I haven`t had Firestones on the `Vette yet, but we have an account at the local store in my area, & so far I have no complaints. I bought two sets of Brigestones for my other vehicles, & they wear like iron. The store also does my state inspections, & if I breeze past the 
they try to sell me, like changing the in cabin air filter for $135.00 
, they have been pretty quick, & haven`t hosed me yet.
they try to sell me, like changing the in cabin air filter for $135.00 , they have been pretty quick, & haven`t hosed me yet.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Originally Posted by ZF Six
I agree with the Discount statement, however, every single time I have gone to Discount, they are so busy you have to pretty much either make an appointment (if they even offer that) or come right when the gates open. Their service is good and they do good work, but everyone seems to know that, therefore everyone goes there at all hours of the day.
Couldn't agree more... There were Discounts all over the place in Arizona (where I used to live - where I bought my current tires). Those guys had TOP NOTCH service, IMO. They will match & beat *any* price, and *all* they do is tires. You're never stuck waiting behind somebody who's getting brakes or an oil change, etc., so - like you said - it's a short wait. Although they're always busy, it's worth a short wait to get it done right the 1st time.
Go Discount!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,685
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
My local firestone has one good thing....lifetime alignment. THese guys see a vette coming in and spend 3 hours working on my car to align it exactly to MY specs.
Amazing service. Im sure i just got lucky in finding a good store. I just tell them I drive the car over 100 MPH regularly and they take care of me.
Now, if you want to know a really bad store...Goodyear. Ive heard of those guys doing what you described there too.
Amazing service. Im sure i just got lucky in finding a good store. I just tell them I drive the car over 100 MPH regularly and they take care of me.
Now, if you want to know a really bad store...Goodyear. Ive heard of those guys doing what you described there too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 873
Likes: 2
From: Whittier ca
I would guess the manager/franchise owner has a lot to do with the service. My local Firestone (Whittier, CA) has been top notch, both in service and standing behind their work. I have not hesitated sending my wife, mother-in-law and daughter to have flats fixed, tires and alignments. I did have them replace the rear bearings and seals on the Suburban and ended with a mushy brake pedal. They took care of it, no challenges.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 5
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Hope you have learned your lesson with Firestone. Next time, go to Discount Tire to get it done right the first time at a much cheaper cost than what you paid. Mount, balance and even chrome screw-in valve stems should have cost no more than $50 for both.
You probably could have waited for them at Discount. Absolutely no excuse for taking all day and then they weren't ready wheny ou showed up.
You probably could have waited for them at Discount. Absolutely no excuse for taking all day and then they weren't ready wheny ou showed up.
Those jerks are no better. I use a local independant shop. One owner, has two employees. Him and his son. He works on everything, Ferrari, Viper, BMW, Porsche and local Vettes. Never had a n issue, things are done on time and correct the first time.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
The price you paid isn't out of line, but I never leave my wheels. I follow into the shop and keep an eye on them. My shop is the best in my area, the owner has six vettes and I still watch like a hawk.
In the past it has been my experience that no matter what time you get there, if you leave the shop, they won't work on them until you return or until you call them. When they have nothing else to do(finished with lunch etc) they may do your work.
In the past it has been my experience that no matter what time you get there, if you leave the shop, they won't work on them until you return or until you call them. When they have nothing else to do(finished with lunch etc) they may do your work.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I pay $10.00 a wheel to remove the old tire, mount MY new (or used) tire and balance. That is on the car or off. Obviously, that is not a super premium balance, but it is good for daily use. $96.00? WOW!
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
I took it back up there this morning. The guy who's name was on the receipt as the person who worked on them told me that it wasn't actually him that did it. (He has a pretty good reputation up there I guess) He said it was a new guy in training but he would redo everything for me and give me a discount next time I go there. Ya right. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
Originally Posted by mash557
Discount Tire has no stores in KC area. I know, I lived there and was bummed that they didn't.
I checked out other local places and they were higher priced and some said that they wouldn't even attempt to mount a 315/35/17. I have and bad experiences with goodyear and a buddy of mine had bad experiences with NTB mounting his 295/35/18's.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard CA
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by HWoods
Firestone told me their labor book called for a $38.00 charge to repair a flat on my Vette. I went to Discount Tire and had it done for no charge.
Needless to say I was impressed and I asked the store manager about it and he said they don't do "bubblegum" plugs and all tire repairs at his store get vulcanized.
The argueing going on back and forth here sounds more like individual shop problems and personal preference. I can relate to all of you and your opinions because the local firestone shop left a very bad taste in my mouth back in about 77 or 78 and i haven't been back to them since.
Just my $.02
Bob
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
From: Florida
