America's Tire Lost a Customer Today

[2wheel_lee]

Over the years, I've purchases a couple wheel and tire sets from America's Tire. Unfortunately, when I bought my current tires, they didn't have that size available to them.

This morning, I went to the local America's Tire near my work in Torrance to have a flat repaired. Because my tires are slightly larger that the originally recommended size (31" to 33"), they wouldn't fix the flat. He said that there is a "known" problem of these larger tires coming off the rims in corners. What a crock! Needless to say, I will never return to America's Tire.

[guero]

was it as simple as putting in a plug? that is pretty weak of them to deny you service without really going into details of the apparently unknown 'known' problem.

[Sprockethead]

They told my buddy a similiar story with his truck. Apparantly with the stock Chevy wheels he had on his Silverado, America's Tire Co wouldn't install the same 33" BFG's on his truck. There was a safety noticed issued by Chevy about it so my buddy took his truck down to the local Julio shop and they gladly slapped on new tires onto his stock wheels. He had been running the same tires for the last 4 years without any problems.

[2wheel_lee]

Just a simple patch, I presume. I took it right around the corner to a Firestone/Bridgestone dealer who was able to get right on it. I didn't mention that America's Tire wouldn't be able to get started on it for an hour and a half, even if they would do it. And there weren't many customers there, either, and bays were empty.

[Uncle Rico]

I bought new tires for my truck a few months ago from them. I went in this week to get the wheels rotated (included in the tire purchase) and they said they were unable to rotate my wheels because I have adapters on my wheels. They said it was a safety issue.
They had no problem selling me the tires a few months ago and installing them on the same rims. I didnt change anything since then.
Im ticked about it because I cant warranty the tires for anything since they refuse to remove my wheels.

By the way this was Americas tires off Lake Forest.

[CalEpic]

Tire stores usually won't plug a tire. Patch only.

When I was in high school I worked at a gas station and I made a small fortune plugging tires. $20 if they needed a receipt, $15 if they didn't

[Chewyeti]

Originally Posted by Uncle Rico

I bought new tires for my truck a few months ago from them. I went in this week to get the wheels rotated (included in the tire purchase) and they said they were unable to rotate my wheels because I have adapters on my wheels. They said it was a safety issue.
They had no problem selling me the tires a few months ago and installing them on the same rims. I didnt change anything since then.
Im ticked about it because I cant warranty the tires for anything since they refuse to remove my wheels.

By the way this was Americas tires off Lake Forest.

adapters ARE a safety problem.....

How do often do you CHECK the inner lugnuts? Hard to see a lugnut that is hiding behind a wheel....

FWIW - they are deemed illegal in most racing organizations also...

It IS lame that they didnt refuse service to you upfront.... but such is life.

sorry to steer off topic

[northshore]

Originally Posted by Chewyeti

adapters ARE a safety problem.....

How do often do you CHECK the inner lugnuts? Hard to see a lugnut that is hiding behind a wheel....

FWIW - they are deemed illegal in most racing organizations also...

sorry to steer off topic

+1...you should be running extended threaded lug nut stems and not adapters. I never go to American's Tires due to crappy service. I prefer going to a small mom and pop by the John Wayne airport.

[Uncle Rico]

I hear you.

I bought the truck with the lift on it. I didnt even know they were on there, or what they were. Im automotive ignorant.

How come they had no problem installing the tires a few months ago? It wasnt an issue when I was paying them $ for the tires. It became an issue when I went back for the free rotation.

Originally Posted by Chewyeti

adapters ARE a safety problem.....

How do often do you CHECK the inner lugnuts? Hard to see a lugnut that is hiding behind a wheel....

FWIW - they are deemed illegal in most racing organizations also...

sorry to steer off topic

[Chewyeti]

Originally Posted by Uncle Rico

I hear you.

I bought the truck with the lift on it. I didnt even know they were on there, or what they were. Im automotive ignorant.

How come they had no problem installing the tires a few months ago? It wasnt an issue when I was paying them $ for the tires. It became an issue when I went back for the free rotation.

yup... i edited to include that. They shoulda refused service to you the second you rolled in... to cover their asses.

[kanga]

I had a similar problem a few years ago.... screwdriver on the freeway punched through my rear tire. Went to a shop and they wouldn't repair it, told me a new tire was gonna be $149... I asked for the tire back, and took it home patched it myself (internal vulcanizing patch) and took the tire and rim to a local (mexican) mechanic and had them mount it for $5. I replaced the tire two years later with 70K on it and no other problems.

They just don't want to take the liability if there is any miniscule possibility that it could come back to haunt them later. It's a shame that we live in such a litigious day and age. We all pay the price.

[foofighter]

lee it sucks to hear about your experience, they're a good company and will do a lot for the customer...i dont know of too many tire companies that will do free tire patchs for free. they actually dismount your tire and do it from the inside.

The reason for all this hullabaloo is becuase of the big L word...Liability. They wont sell you oversized tires etc for trucks/cars because of this or that, because really whether you do it or not, there are people that do do it and will turn around and sue them for installing the tire. you can get tires that you know are oversized etc and when they install it you drive on it, it rubs like crazy and then you turn around and say "well they never said it would be like this..." it's crappy but they have to cover their asses.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

When I was in high school I worked at a gas station and I made a small fortune plugging tires. $20 if they needed a receipt, $15 if they didn't

nice bet when u were younger you also charged
25 centavos for a glass of lemonaide but 100 in a clean glass

never been to american tire. but have used other big names for purchase and repair in the past. anyway "recentlY" came across in place in santa ana. I think it was named patterson tire. I priced the same 4 tires for our grand Cherokee at Just Tire, Firestone and another chain and this shop (family owned) charged ~$400 LESS for purchase/install/balance/etc. real nice folks and did the job quickly. worth a looky for anyone in need

[6packguywith5spot]

http://www.slime.com/product_107_22-...le_(2510).html

Everyone should have one of these kits in their car. For some flats, you don't even need to take your tire off the car. Just turn the wheel, find the nail or .... and pull it out, follow the instructions and you are done. I don't have tolerance waiting at Discount tires ( American's tires up north ) for hours.

Ali

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Over the years, I've purchases a couple wheel and tire sets from America's Tire. Unfortunately, when I bought my current tires, they didn't have that size available to them.

This morning, I went to the local America's Tire near my work in Torrance to have a flat repaired. Because my tires are slightly larger that the originally recommended size (31" to 33"), they wouldn't fix the flat. He said that there is a "known" problem of these larger tires coming off the rims in corners. What a crock! Needless to say, I will never return to America's Tire.

[2wheel_lee]

On my previous truck, American's actually sold me oversized tires (the size I requested).

6packguy, you're right, it's probably not a bad idea to carry a plug kit. After all, I already have an onboard air compressor and a 3-gallon air tank.

I've used those cans of fix-a-flat in previous years with great success (it's just like Stans, right?), and I actually carry a can in my truck. I should rely on that stuff more often.

[foofighter]

depending on the stores and the sales guy they'll sell you things but i think technically they shouldnt. Costco is really militant about that as well, they will only sell you the size that's on your car from the factory at least that was what they told me. i went elsewhere after that

[tkblazer]

did you pull up to the garage and smoke them with your truck?

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

did you pull up to the garage and smoke them with your truck?

Damn! I forgot! I should have!
Although I'd hate to smoke out the guys in the shop who actually work, and not the slacker at the front desk.

By the way, before I bought these tires, I was looking at Costco, and they were perfectly willing - and knowing - to sell me oversized tires.

[Permagrin]

Their stores are hit and miss. I buy my tires and wheels there, but the service really depends on the location.

Fountain Valley on Warner - terrible service; tried to take advantage of my wallet so after 3 times I'm done with them, LF - only been there once but waited a while just to have the lugs retorqued, Costa Mesa on Bristol - no problems there, HB on Bolsa - great service everytime and they gave me a smokin' deal on new wheels at cost and no install fee for a problem with my lugs that they should've caught 2 years ago when they sold me the tires.