Tire install gone wrong
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Tire install gone wrong
sorry to bother guys, but im ran into an issue i need some help with.
Today i went to my local discount tire to have the tires i ordered installed. when they were finished i jumped in my car and headed back to work. when i parked at my shop, i glanced at the tires and noticed a white line going around the outside of my rim. i looked closer to find the finish of the wheel was scratched about a 1/4 of an inch away from the lip of the rim. the scratch gets deeper in some area's and goes away in others but goes almost all the way around the wheel. i freaked and went over and looked at the other side to find the same thing.
i grabbed the receipt and called them up and spoke to a maneger. i will be taking the car back up there in the A.M., but i don't know what to expect. has anyone else had something like this happen to them?
What should i expect here? will they fix/ replace my wheels or what? and then on top of that will the newer whels match the older two that are up front?
please help with advice, and thanks ahead of time for it.
-Trin
Today i went to my local discount tire to have the tires i ordered installed. when they were finished i jumped in my car and headed back to work. when i parked at my shop, i glanced at the tires and noticed a white line going around the outside of my rim. i looked closer to find the finish of the wheel was scratched about a 1/4 of an inch away from the lip of the rim. the scratch gets deeper in some area's and goes away in others but goes almost all the way around the wheel. i freaked and went over and looked at the other side to find the same thing.
i grabbed the receipt and called them up and spoke to a maneger. i will be taking the car back up there in the A.M., but i don't know what to expect. has anyone else had something like this happen to them?
What should i expect here? will they fix/ replace my wheels or what? and then on top of that will the newer whels match the older two that are up front?
please help with advice, and thanks ahead of time for it.
-Trin
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
There have been reports like yours over the years. Discount Tire "usually" does the right thing although, obviously, it shouldn't have happened in the first place. Either that particular store doesn't have a qualified employee or doesn't have the proper equipment. I am reasonably confident you will be taken care of to your satisfaction. Just be vigilant. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 20
From: Twisp WA
Sorry to hear about the damage to your rims. I'd be interested to have a look at the machines they used to work on your rims and tires and you'll likely find the offending bit that gouged your rims. Most likely when they were either removing your old tires or spinning the new ones on the rims. Now days the machines are designed so they don't even get to directly touch the rims since rims can be VERY EXPENSIVE.
Good luck. Keep your cool and stand your ground till you are satisfied with their offer to resolve your complaint.
George
Good luck. Keep your cool and stand your ground till you are satisfied with their offer to resolve your complaint.
George
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
From: Palos Park Illinois
Oh oh....please tell me that this DT is [I]not[I] located in Orland Park, Il, as my new tires are in transit to a DT there from the warehouse
..
As for your problem, they caused the damage and must repair it....make sure you deal with the same manager and keep notes of your conversations and any representations he makes. DTD owes it to you to fix it, if for no less a reason then for customer "good will."
Good luck!
..As for your problem, they caused the damage and must repair it....make sure you deal with the same manager and keep notes of your conversations and any representations he makes. DTD owes it to you to fix it, if for no less a reason then for customer "good will."
Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 3
From: Murfreesboro Tennessee
I hate to hear that. There are two discount tires in my town. One of them is amazing. I get treated great every time that I go and the other I have heard of a few disappointed people.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
If the scratches are deep and not just scuffs in the clear that can be polished out, the wheels will need to be refinished.
I haven't had any wheels redone in quite a while the last one I had done was years ago for a clear problem and it cost me about 125.00 a wheel.
This guy may offer you a set of wheels as payment, or he is going to have to remove them and send them out to be redone which can take a few days or more.
If you can live with the scratches get yourself a nice check and or buy another set here and sell your wheels.
I haven't had any wheels redone in quite a while the last one I had done was years ago for a clear problem and it cost me about 125.00 a wheel.
This guy may offer you a set of wheels as payment, or he is going to have to remove them and send them out to be redone which can take a few days or more.
If you can live with the scratches get yourself a nice check and or buy another set here and sell your wheels.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Oh oh....please tell me that this DT is [I]not[I] located in Orland Park, Il, as my new tires are in transit to a DT there from the warehouse..
As for your problem, they caused the damage and must repair it....make sure you deal with the same manager and keep notes of your conversations and any representations he makes. DTD owes it to you to fix it, if for no less a reason then for customer "good will."
Good luck!
..As for your problem, they caused the damage and must repair it....make sure you deal with the same manager and keep notes of your conversations and any representations he makes. DTD owes it to you to fix it, if for no less a reason then for customer "good will."
Good luck!
I even complimented the kids work ethic. he didnt slotch about it, he just got the job done. He did have some issues with getting one of the tires off i watched him pulling down on the arm that breaks the bead loose like it needed help or something.... i wonder if thats when it happened.
We'll see in the morning i guess.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Beach Florida
I would hold out for two new GM which are an exact match for what you have. When the guy says He can't do that, pull out your cell phone and call somebody. When the guy asks what you are doing, say you are calling your attorney, he is a real bear in the courtroom.
That should probably deal with problem.
That should probably deal with problem.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
From: Palos Park Illinois
Trin, that's weird b/c the tires are coming here to Ill from Texas...
Anyway, maybe you should call some of the guys from the vette club who recommended this shop to you in the first place....they may know someone there who can fix this mess....it also won't hurt to let this store's manager know that you will be reporting the outcome to the club's members.....strenght in numbers!
good luck,
Jim
Anyway, maybe you should call some of the guys from the vette club who recommended this shop to you in the first place....they may know someone there who can fix this mess....it also won't hurt to let this store's manager know that you will be reporting the outcome to the club's members.....strenght in numbers!
good luck,
Jim
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Fortunately Discount Tire is usually good about correcting their mistakes.
Unfortunately they have a pretty good turnover of workers and you have to insist on having their best guy do the work. Even to the point of bringing your car in when he's available.
I half-jokingly threatened the Mgr. at the DT I used and he ended up doing the work himself. Sometimes it helps to be 'big'.
Good Luck, and as recommended already, don't settle for anything less than what you originally came in with.
Unfortunately they have a pretty good turnover of workers and you have to insist on having their best guy do the work. Even to the point of bringing your car in when he's available.
I half-jokingly threatened the Mgr. at the DT I used and he ended up doing the work himself. Sometimes it helps to be 'big'.
Good Luck, and as recommended already, don't settle for anything less than what you originally came in with.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 4
From: TremontonUT UT
I knew from past experience who was the best tire installer/balancer in my local Big O. I asked him to personally mount and balance my new tires. I told him there was $20 and a ride in the Vette if all went well. The work was perfect. Later! Frank
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 13
From: Pasadena, CA
I would hold out for two new GM which are an exact match for what you have. When the guy says He can't do that, pull out your cell phone and call somebody. When the guy asks what you are doing, say you are calling your attorney, he is a real bear in the courtroom.
That should probably deal with problem.
That should probably deal with problem.
Last edited by Jimbeaux; Jul 8, 2010 at 12:26 AM.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Sorry about the damage to your wheels. I've had great luck with Discount Tire and IMO they're one of the best service oriented businesses going. Sadly, you got an incompetent installer who wasn't careful. Whether its true or not I'm not 100% sure but I've heard all DT outlets are owned by essentially one man (Bruce Halle, founder, CEO of the The Reinalt-Thomas Corporation). They're not franchise outlets or independently owned. He might be reluctant but if the manager doesn't agree to repair the wheels to your satisfaction (or replace them) I'd tell him you're taking your problem to the top. From what I've heard the founder's mantra is service and keeping the customer satisfied.
I know guys that work for DT and I've gotten excellent service from them over the years. They once gave two of my horse trailer wheels/tires to the wrong person. The manager told me if he didn't have my wheels/tires back within the hour he'd buy me all new wheels and free tires. In about an hour a DT truck was at my house (out in the sticks) and the kid insisted on mounting the tires on the trailer. DT has gone over and above for me on many occasions. Hopefully they'll do right by you. Good luck!
I know guys that work for DT and I've gotten excellent service from them over the years. They once gave two of my horse trailer wheels/tires to the wrong person. The manager told me if he didn't have my wheels/tires back within the hour he'd buy me all new wheels and free tires. In about an hour a DT truck was at my house (out in the sticks) and the kid insisted on mounting the tires on the trailer. DT has gone over and above for me on many occasions. Hopefully they'll do right by you. Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
I would hold out for two new GM which are an exact match for what you have. When the guy says He can't do that, pull out your cell phone and call somebody. When the guy asks what you are doing, say you are calling your attorney, he is a real bear in the courtroom.
That should probably deal with problem.
That should probably deal with problem.
Legally,they are responsible for returning whatever they mess up back to the condition it was in when it arrived. Any competent attorney will tell you the same.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
I had a Tires Plus put a jack through my 2 week old vette back in 08... we settled for the cost of repair to my car and rentals car and other stuff.
They made it right but it had to be escalated to their corporate office. I never needed to get an attorney involved or felt like I needed too.
I was just sick that my new baby got smashed by an idiot at a good tire shop.
They made it right but it had to be escalated to their corporate office. I never needed to get an attorney involved or felt like I needed too.
I was just sick that my new baby got smashed by an idiot at a good tire shop.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 157
From: Springfield MO
a "ride in the Vette"? Really? Is he five years old?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
so they can't seem to find my wheels. they are Hyper grey gumbies. they offered to replace my wheels with the Z-06 style split spoked style wheels. i wasn't planning on replacing my wheels, i never thought about it. i love the dark grey wheels with the silver paint looked badass and is what drew me into the car.
grr..... hope it all works out soon.
grr..... hope it all works out soon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
so they can't seem to find my wheels. they are Hyper grey gumbies. they offered to replace my wheels with the Z-06 style split spoked style wheels. i wasn't planning on replacing my wheels, i never thought about it. i love the dark grey wheels with the silver paint looked badass and is what drew me into the car.
grr..... hope it all works out soon.
grr..... hope it all works out soon.
I would take the money to replace the damaged wheels at OE cost... and buy a set of aftermarket wheels. OE Wheels are waaaaay pricey.
then you will have 2 sets of wheels 1 for the track and 1 for the street.