Moron Tire guys. Idiots
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29,434
Likes: 96
From: Eads, Tennessee
CF St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Originally Posted by Corvette Monkey
I love my Vette too, but is it really that big of a deal if there are a few marks on the inside of the wheels?
I'd chalk it up to experience and move on.
I'd chalk it up to experience and move on.
I disagree. This is NEW damaged caused by an incompetent employee or caused by a company using outdated equipment. They caused the damage, no matter how minute it is or whether it can be seen when mounted, therefore they are responsible and should be held accountable. END OF STORY!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Newark California
Originally Posted by Corvette Monkey
I love my Vette too, but is it really that big of a deal if there are a few marks on the inside of the wheels?
I'd chalk it up to experience and move on.
I'd chalk it up to experience and move on.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Merrimack NH
I feel for you. There are just too many guys that dont know what there doing. It's gotten to the point I just dont do business without a recommendation from someone i trust and then I still spread the green around.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
I really do understand the frustration. However a few words of caution. If you hit someone and they passout,, you will be guilty of a fealony. Hard to justify. My suggestion is remain very professional and speak in a normal voice,, ok,, maybe just a little quiver trying to control. It is clear the store will do nothing to resolve your issue. You might find the owner etc, and discuss with them the issue, but NEVER lose control. If they fail to help then you can use the BBB and an attorney (small claims court should not require an attorney). Use the legal system and never be physical. I know this doesn't make you feel any better but hopefully you will get the issue resolved. Best of luck. 99 Nassau Blue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Newark California
Originally Posted by jimcork1
I really do understand the frustration. However a few words of caution. If you hit someone and they passout,, you will be guilty of a fealony. Hard to justify. My suggestion is remain very professional and speak in a normal voice,, ok,, maybe just a little quiver trying to control. It is clear the store will do nothing to resolve your issue. You might find the owner etc, and discuss with them the issue, but NEVER lose control. If they fail to help then you can use the BBB and an attorney (small claims court should not require an attorney). Use the legal system and never be physical. I know this doesn't make you feel any better but hopefully you will get the issue resolved. Best of luck. 99 Nassau Blue
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,659
Likes: 828
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
feel the pain
i can feel your pain. i am **** about this stuff. VERY ****. my 04 vert's battery went bad. so i call the dealer and tell him about the problem, he says...just bring the car in and we'll give you a new battery. 
so i say... i'll bring the BATTERY in not the car. 
he says we can't get paid on warranty if you don't bring the car in. 
i said PRETEND that i've brought the car in or something, i'm not bringing the car in for the battery. 
(at this point i'm just going to by a new one, it's only $90 bucks ). he then says OK just bring the battery in with the mileage, etc. PERFECT !!! so i take the battery in and he says... take a walk to the showroom for 5 min. and come back...i'll do the paperwork and have your new battery. 
i go back to get the battery...he says how did you know about the BIG problem we had with the last battery change when the tech dropped the battery on the fender of a vette 
????? i said "JUST A LUCKY GUESS". so i'm a jerk for not wanting to take mY car to the dealer. VERY happy jerk!!!! moral of the story is that things are never really the way they seem to be and ask ALOT of very specific questions!
so i say... i'll bring the BATTERY in not the car. he says we can't get paid on warranty if you don't bring the car in. i said PRETEND that i've brought the car in or something, i'm not bringing the car in for the battery. (at this point i'm just going to by a new one, it's only $90 bucks ). he then says OK just bring the battery in with the mileage, etc. PERFECT !!! so i take the battery in and he says... take a walk to the showroom for 5 min. and come back...i'll do the paperwork and have your new battery. i go back to get the battery...he says how did you know about the BIG problem we had with the last battery change when the tech dropped the battery on the fender of a vette ????? i said "JUST A LUCKY GUESS". so i'm a jerk for not wanting to take mY car to the dealer. VERY happy jerk!!!! moral of the story is that things are never really the way they seem to be and ask ALOT of very specific questions!
Last edited by jimmie jam; Mar 31, 2006 at 11:30 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 4
From: FL
I just had new set of Michelins that I bought through Tire Rack put on yesterday. I had the tires sent to, and used one of their approved shops. I go there with my car and was ready to pick up my tires and go home. The shop was crouded with cars and old/dirty. I talked with the owner and he assured me they would do a great job "like it was their own car". Two hours later and a charge for $170, I was fortunately very pleased with the results. They even polished my wheels and cleaned the tires, after taking it for a test drive. They also apoligized for a mark on one wheel caused by the previous knock-on weight. They couldn't place the new weight on the same spot, and offered me to bring the car back this weekend so they could try and polish out the mark. The cost was high, but really worth it. I took it on the highway for a test and they were dead accurate in the balancing. I would highly recommend using the Tire Rack authorized installers. I am **** as well. I've been through three Chevy Dealers and am fortunate to have found one local that has an excellent (and also ****) mechanic that only works on Corvettes. After he's done with my car for servicing, it actually looks as good as when I brought it in (sometimes even better).
Last edited by beden1; Mar 31, 2006 at 01:06 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Webb City Missouri
a buddy of mine has an 01 ss camaro..new front tires..and the jacked the car up on the fenders and bent both fenders out..if u want something done right..u have to do it urself!unless its done by one of our sponsors!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Man reading these posts brings back hours of RAGE!
First it started with a NTB store that F*cked up 2 of my brand new factory Mag wheels, where the dealer sent me to have them mounted.
They ended up buying me new wheels @ their cost of $1500.00 ea.
The later at a Goodyear store that swore they mounted and balanced Mag wheels all the time, they screwed up 2 more wheels by placing the wheel weights exactly where I told them not to, the brake caliper rips the weights off.
So they paid to refinish the wheels @$250.00 ea.
Then back to the dealer that sold me the car who claimed they just bought all the right equiptment to mount and balance the Mags.
I told them the story about the tire store and they said "our tech does this all the time and he knows where to place the weights".
You guessed it....... He did the exact same thing as the tire store, when they brought the car out to me the weights were hanging out between the spokes.
Again they paid to have the wheels refinished @ 250.00 ea.
Finally I found a place that did tire mounting for the Tire Rack and also did road force balancing.
ATI Motorsports out of Wixom Mi. they had bought all the equipt. to mount and balance tires because they did high performance development for several auto mfg's big ticket cars.
And were tired of buying new wheels for exotic cars because they screwed them up at the tire store. ($40.00 per wheel).
Then I used another recommended installer to mount the tires on my GTP because it was near my office, they scratched all 4 wheels on the face and had 55lbs of air in ea. wheel and the balance sucked. This was a exclusive high end foreign car repair shop.
Now I have moved to Fl. and am scared to death I may have to find someone to change tires on any of my cars down here!
The real truth is it's a crap shoot no matter where you go, I think they hire the scum of the earth to mount and balance tires almost everywhere.
First it started with a NTB store that F*cked up 2 of my brand new factory Mag wheels, where the dealer sent me to have them mounted.
They ended up buying me new wheels @ their cost of $1500.00 ea.
The later at a Goodyear store that swore they mounted and balanced Mag wheels all the time, they screwed up 2 more wheels by placing the wheel weights exactly where I told them not to, the brake caliper rips the weights off.
So they paid to refinish the wheels @$250.00 ea.
Then back to the dealer that sold me the car who claimed they just bought all the right equiptment to mount and balance the Mags.
I told them the story about the tire store and they said "our tech does this all the time and he knows where to place the weights".
You guessed it....... He did the exact same thing as the tire store, when they brought the car out to me the weights were hanging out between the spokes.
Again they paid to have the wheels refinished @ 250.00 ea.
Finally I found a place that did tire mounting for the Tire Rack and also did road force balancing.
ATI Motorsports out of Wixom Mi. they had bought all the equipt. to mount and balance tires because they did high performance development for several auto mfg's big ticket cars.
And were tired of buying new wheels for exotic cars because they screwed them up at the tire store. ($40.00 per wheel).
Then I used another recommended installer to mount the tires on my GTP because it was near my office, they scratched all 4 wheels on the face and had 55lbs of air in ea. wheel and the balance sucked. This was a exclusive high end foreign car repair shop.
Now I have moved to Fl. and am scared to death I may have to find someone to change tires on any of my cars down here!
The real truth is it's a crap shoot no matter where you go, I think they hire the scum of the earth to mount and balance tires almost everywhere.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Newark California
Yep...... they are out there. Victims of incompetent mechanics. Survivors of butcher body repair shops. Innocence torn away by some fly by night transmission specialist.
This is where we band together. Pissed off Corvette owners united. With one loud voice we proclaim to all the shady vendors..... WE ARE MAD AS HELL AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE! Can I get an Amen!
So.... post your tragedies. I am with you brothers. And I ask a moment of silence for every radial that has had a plug jammed in it and was called...... "fixed".
This is where we band together. Pissed off Corvette owners united. With one loud voice we proclaim to all the shady vendors..... WE ARE MAD AS HELL AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE! Can I get an Amen!
So.... post your tragedies. I am with you brothers. And I ask a moment of silence for every radial that has had a plug jammed in it and was called...... "fixed".
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: TX
Just had a similar incident to one of my wheels. It was brand new, I pointed this out to them and said to be VERY CAREFUL as I couldn't handle any scratches dents or dings. He said no problem.
Pick the wheel up 30 mins later only to find a large ding on the outside lip and scratched up paint.
After thinking about it for a few minutes there in the lot I decided to just chaulk it up to experience and never returned there. I should have raised hell but I was so busy with work then the last thing I needed was more stress. Still gets me mad though, especially that they got away with it!
Pick the wheel up 30 mins later only to find a large ding on the outside lip and scratched up paint.
After thinking about it for a few minutes there in the lot I decided to just chaulk it up to experience and never returned there. I should have raised hell but I was so busy with work then the last thing I needed was more stress. Still gets me mad though, especially that they got away with it!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: Auburn WA
Originally Posted by TheLaserShop
First of all, I did 24 hour truck and off road ( tractors, earth movers) tire service for over 10 years. I know a bit about this. Got my brand new tires. Michelin Pilot 335/30R20 and the matching 19's. Got my brand new wheels. Fully polished 11 X 20 Z06 and the matching fronts as well. When I say fully polished I mean completely inside as well as out. Saved for months to afford this setup. Called a couple places about mounting the tires. A few were not comfortable with the rim width. Last call was to wheel works and the guy said no problem. Told him it was imperative that these are not be scratched whatsoever. He assured me they were pro's. Got there last Friday afternoon. Unloaded the wheels still in the boxes. I had spent time earlier cleaning the insides with lacquer thinner to remove any polishing residue. I polished and anodized the tire sensors and installed them the day before. Once again I pointed out the polish and told them to take it easy on the soap. I made it clear to please use extra caution. I waited in their office and paid their ridiculous 100 dollars just for mounting. The price somehow inflated over the last hour. Bottom line..... they scratched the living crap out of all 4 wheels. Their machine bit into the inside and it looks like you peened them with a center punch 4 times on every freakin wheel. I was so pissed I could not see straight. No protection. No caution and they were covered in so much soap it was draining out of my tailgate after they loaded them into my pickup. The ******* manager told me it was no big deal because it was the inside of the wheel. What a freakin genius! That nearly earned him a black eye. So..... I made an appointment with the general manager yesterday and when I got there right on time they told me he had left for the day. Its just that nearly every car tire place I have ever seen the tire buster is a complete idiot with about 5 minutes experience. Thanks for listening to my bitching. Im still pissed. I walked in with perfect parts and now we are talking about wheel repair.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Originally Posted by Corvette Monkey
I love my Vette too, but is it really that big of a deal if there are a few marks on the inside of the wheels?
I'd chalk it up to experience and move on.
I'd chalk it up to experience and move on.
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29,434
Likes: 96
From: Eads, Tennessee
CF St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Originally Posted by 87bob
I think you missed his point he checked with the shop BEFORE having the work done. They assured him they could handle it. What you or he can live with is not the point. They did not do what THEY said they could. It would have been different if he just took the wheels and tires in and said I need these mounted. I believe he has a right to be upset with the way they damaged his wheels.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Discovery Bay CA
The reason this kind of thing keeps happening is because no one speaks up and just "caulks it up to experience" you need to recieve the service you paid for and if you don't get it let some one know or it will keep happening. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Newark California
Originally Posted by 87bob
I think you missed his point he checked with the shop BEFORE having the work done. They assured him they could handle it. What you or he can live with is not the point. They did not do what THEY said they could. It would have been different if he just took the wheels and tires in and said I need these mounted. I believe he has a right to be upset with the way they damaged his wheels.
Last edited by TheLaserShop; Mar 31, 2006 at 08:41 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 146
From: Watertown CT
I would be absolutely furious, yeah, they are relatively small marks, but they were put into a perfect wheel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's absolutely right that with a 20 you can see the whole inside of the wheel. The whole point is he went totally out of his way to find a shop that could do it right, and they said they could, then they screwed it up, they owe him a set of wheels!! I would be ripped sh$$!!!!!!!!!!
I was looking at your same tires and they say they only fit on an 11 1/2 inch wheel, but you said you put them on an 11 inch wheel, how do they fit? Do you have a mini tub, or will these fit on a stock C5. I have a set of HRE 541R's that I wanted to mount those to, also in the 20 inch size, but I was nervous there would be some rubbing. Do you have any issues? Now I am more nervous about having them mounted!!! Thanks, for any help and I hope they replace your wheels!!! Thanks, Dan
I was looking at your same tires and they say they only fit on an 11 1/2 inch wheel, but you said you put them on an 11 inch wheel, how do they fit? Do you have a mini tub, or will these fit on a stock C5. I have a set of HRE 541R's that I wanted to mount those to, also in the 20 inch size, but I was nervous there would be some rubbing. Do you have any issues? Now I am more nervous about having them mounted!!! Thanks, for any help and I hope they replace your wheels!!! Thanks, Dan
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
Originally Posted by TheLaserShop
I totally agree with you as well. But everybody is different. Its easy to say walk away when its not your stuff but I think we should leave the poor guy (Mr. Monkey Dude) alone. He could be going through some anger management or something. I have a massive list of places I wont go to anymore from gas stations to steak houses most of which I just sucked it up and walked away never to come back again. This situation is different. This was utter negligence and Im not going away quietly. If I have to sue them then I want all new wheels plus all my trouble $$. We will find out tomorrow. The manager (his name rhymes with "DICK") is supposed to meet me and discuss this.
I hope it all works out for you (that damage is terrible, they need to replace or at a bare minimum have someone attempt to repair them).Again, Custom Alignment in Mt. View is THE place to go in the SF bay area
It is worth the drive to the "other side of the bay"!!They use this to dismount/mount your tires from your wheels: Hunter TC3500
Then this to properly balance the wheel/tire combo: Hunter GSP9700
Even their wheel alignment equipment is the @hit
John Bean 3D VisualinerI will go NOWHERE else for wheel/tire work on any of my rides