Discussion:
Chain Auto Repair Shops Upselling
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Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney
2015-08-22 01:03:13 UTC
Permalink
I'm sure this is not news to most people, but for what it's worth....

I looked up tires at the Firestone website, picked out the tire I wanted, called the closest shop and then went in the next day. When I got there, they "were out" of that tire. But had the next more expensive in that type on hand for $15 more each. All the specs, including speed rating, etc., were the same online. I asked what's the difference, and was told "this one is a much, much better tire." So I thought, $15 is OK -- better tire and I can stop checking around.

So the salesman wrote up the order, and the total for 2 tires was $95 more than the cost of the tires. I was surprised at the total and asked him to break it down. That included required charges (tax & disposal fee), installation, balancing and 2 different warranties. Removing the warranties, the total was sill $60 more. Which was OK, but add the extra amount for not getting the tire I originally wanted, I decided to keep shopping.

Long story kind of shorter..... I called another shop of the same brand, they sold me the original tires I wanted, and got out with the total $30 less than the first shop.

Also, I asked the 2nd shop what was the difference in the 2 tires, and he said "nothing except just one has raised black letters on one side."

I know this is not much of a price savings, but the point is - the first shop was not being truthful but was within a mile of my house. The 2nd shop was truthful and 5 miles away. So everyone loses, except the 2nd shop.
Ed Pawlowski
2015-08-22 12:15:08 UTC
Permalink
On Fri, 21 Aug 2015 18:03:13 -0700, "Snuffy \"Hub Cap\" McKinney"
Post by Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney
I'm sure this is not news to most people, but for what it's worth....
I looked up tires at the Firestone website, picked out the tire I wanted, called the closest shop and then went in the next day. When I got there, they "were out" of that tire. But had the next more expensive in that type on hand for $15 more each. All the specs, including speed rating, etc., were the same online. I asked what's the difference, and was told "this one is a much, much better tire."
You should have bailed when he said it was a better tire with no other
explanation.

I'm fortunate to have a small independent tire shop in town that
really takes care of customers. He's been taking good care of the
family cars for 30+ years.

Glad it worked out for you in the end.
Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney
2015-08-24 17:29:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ed Pawlowski
On Fri, 21 Aug 2015 18:03:13 -0700, "Snuffy \"Hub Cap\" McKinney"
Post by Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney
I'm sure this is not news to most people, but for what it's worth....
I looked up tires at the Firestone website, picked out the tire I wanted, called the closest shop and then went in the next day. When I got there, they "were out" of that tire. But had the next more expensive in that type on hand for $15 more each. All the specs, including speed rating, etc., were the same online. I asked what's the difference, and was told "this one is a much, much better tire."
You should have bailed when he said it was a better tire with no other
explanation.
I'm fortunate to have a small independent tire shop in town that
really takes care of customers. He's been taking good care of the
family cars for 30+ years.
Glad it worked out for you in the end.
The first shop is the same one that aligned it last month, adjusting it just barely within tolerance. Used to be an excellent shop with long-time mechanics. Now all experienced sales people & mechanics are gone. If it were not in such a good location, I would expect it to close down. Will keep looking around here for a plain old garage where you work directly with the mechanic.
NotMe
2015-08-28 14:49:36 UTC
Permalink
Have you notice that tire shops charge $3 for new stems on wheels with the
permanent (and expensive) pressure sensor stems?

We keep old tires to use on our boat dock yet are charged a disposal fee.

GOING & COMING comes to mind.



"Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney" <Snuffy-Hub-***@Livebait-McKinney.com> wrote in
message news:N46dncLNMKwdV0rInZ2dnUU7-***@earthlink.com...
I'm sure this is not news to most people, but for what it's worth....

I looked up tires at the Firestone website, picked out the tire I wanted,
called the closest shop and then went in the next day. When I got there,
they "were out" of that tire. But had the next more expensive in that type
on hand for $15 more each. All the specs, including speed rating, etc.,
were the same online. I asked what's the difference, and was told "this one
is a much, much better tire." So I thought, $15 is OK -- better tire and I
can stop checking around.

So the salesman wrote up the order, and the total for 2 tires was $95 more
than the cost of the tires. I was surprised at the total and asked him to
break it down. That included required charges (tax & disposal fee),
installation, balancing and 2 different warranties. Removing the
warranties, the total was sill $60 more. Which was OK, but add the extra
amount for not getting the tire I originally wanted, I decided to keep
shopping.

Long story kind of shorter..... I called another shop of the same brand,
they sold me the original tires I wanted, and got out with the total $30
less than the first shop.

Also, I asked the 2nd shop what was the difference in the 2 tires, and he
said "nothing except just one has raised black letters on one side."

I know this is not much of a price savings, but the point is - the first
shop was not being truthful but was within a mile of my house. The 2nd shop
was truthful and 5 miles away. So everyone loses, except the 2nd shop.
Ed Pawlowski
2015-08-29 04:04:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by NotMe
Have you notice that tire shops charge $3 for new stems on wheels with the
permanent (and expensive) pressure sensor stems?
We keep old tires to use on our boat dock yet are charged a disposal fee.
GOING & COMING comes to mind.
That is why I go to a local shop and not the chain stores. Start with
a better price and if I do keep a set of tires, no disposal charges.
Damned if I'd pay for something not used.

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