I had a bad experience at a one of the big tire shop over the weekend. I got 4 new tires and an alignment done to the cost of like 550 bucks. When I picked up my car after work, I pulled out on to the main road and immediately knew there was something wrong. My car was vibrating extremely bad at less than 10 mph. I pulled over at the next business and found that the rear driver side wheel's lugs had only been hand spun on a few turns on all 5 lugs. I was like WTF!!?? I called the tire place and told them what I had found and 2 guys from the shop came over within 5 or so minutes to fix the problem. However, by the time they got there I had already jacked the wheel up to get the wheel flush to the rotor and had tightened them as best I could with the emergency tools in the trunk. The two guys from the shop used a torque wrench on all the lugs for all 4 wheels to make sure everything was ok.

They seemed very apologetic and the manager guy told me to come in for a free oil chang whenever, but honestly, I really don't want that shop touching my car ever again. The biggest issue is that i have a tire maintenance package that include free rotation, balancing, and even a 1 year alignment and now I certainly do not trust the place.

Anyone else ever had this happened? What sort of action came from it? I wrote a pretty scathing email to the corporate office and yesterday I noticed I had a missed call from the tire shop while I was at church. I really don't want any "free" services, so I don't know what to tell the guy when he calls back or I call him back.

I can't even imagine how lucky I am the wheel didn't fall off. My car would have suffered quite a bit of damage had that occurred. Not to mention the injuries I or other drivers could have sustained from a wheel falling off a car.

 

I think it's important to remember that we're all human and, as such, will occasionally make mistakes. Sucks that your issue could have caused massive damage to the car or worse, but the fact remains that it didn't. The shop seems to be set on apologizing and doing what they can to make it up to you. I think that says a lot.

Check around and see if you can get feedback from other people on their experiences with the same shop. Google and Yelp.com should be great resources for you to use. if the shop seems highly respected and recommended chalk it up to someone having a brain fart and nothing more. If on the other hand they have a lot of negative reviews simply look for a better shop.

 

thats a mistake no tire shop wants to make...im sure they will be more careful, you should have taken the free stuff.

 

The tire shop I go to, 1 or 2 person change out my tires and make sure everything is right.

Then a totally different guy comes and re-checks the other guys works. They make sure you leave like how your supposed to leave, satisfied and well, all lugs are tightened to factory torque specs.

The tire shop in question should impliment this procedure, makes both parties happy.

^ but what the said above, I would say its cool, just check your shlt before you leave the shop. I always check to see if they put my "W" valve stem caps back on and make sure there are no messes on the wheels.
Better luck next time BUD

 

I always test drive before paying up. They will fix every possible error that way....lol

Also, most of the time I'm in the garage looking around too. I would of taken the free stuff and be happy the worst didn't happen.

 

Wow, what they did would have caused what is called a wheel off, which is a pretty big deal with most corporate owned, or big shops. Honestly with 550 for 4 tires and an alignment you got a deal, depending on the tire size as well. Anyhow, if you have a package or a lifetime deal with this shop I am sure that other shop locations or sister stores would be able to do the work for you. If not, then you can go back to the shop and make sure that they double check their work because a wheel off is no joke....