Why is getting tires installed such a rip off?

abcdefghi

abcdefghi

AC Members
Jun 6, 2007
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I just had to get 4 new tires on my car, which is fine, I drive a lot of miles, so I need tires. But, the thing that really annoys me is how tire shops add on so many ridiculous charges.

I called and asked for 4 new tires, $148 each the guy happily tells me, so I am looking at around $592, now I know there will be tax and labor. So I ask him for the total price... $711 + tax..... OK so now I know what I am expecting. They call me later in the day, alignment is out a little, $136 + tax for alignment. Ok, not much I can do about it, don't want my new tires to wear out fast, car is not pulling in any direction, but the machine shows alignment out, so OK.

So, I go to pick up my car, and this is the part that really has gotten me pretty angry (will be calling the shop later) my total bill comes out at over $930!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get back to work and start reading through the list of charges.... they filled my tires with nitrogen! $10 right there, that I did not agree too, looking further down the list, oh here is a tire protection plan, another $70 that I did not agree too or even have anyone talk to me about.

Not pleased.
 
I would definitely call them. Nothing ticks me off more than when mechanics do stuff that you don't ask them to do. That's why I try to do everything myself or with help from my friends. I avoid taking my truck to shops unless I really have too. The only time I took my jeep into the shop this year was to get a set of tires I bought off eBay mounted and balanced (something I can't do in my driveway unfortunately) and for the yearly inspection.
 
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i'd be livid. luckily i have a decent tire shop near me. it's called tire city. i don't know if there are any others though.
 
coach_z said:
shouldnt you have looked at the bill before you paid for it?
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You could argue that, but its kind of missing the point, given the morality of them sneaking charges on there in the first place. Not to mention they give you 3 or 4 pages worth of information, that need to be read through to get an idea of what all they charged / did.

I also had to get back to work, so could not exactly stand there for 15 minutes reading through the list of pages.
 
First, nitrogen in the tires does little if anything to help fuel economy. Second, you do not have to pay for any unauthorized work done. But you need to address it before you pay. ASk for a manager, raise hell, and if they dont give you the vehicle call the sherrif and have them help. That being said you were quoted a tire price. That price does not include mounting, balancing, tire stems, disposal of the old tires, etc. Next time, find out and agree to the bill before any work is done.
 
sumthin fishy said:
First, nitrogen in the tires does little if anything to help fuel economy. Second, you do not have to pay for any unauthorized work done. But you need to address it before you pay. ASk for a manager, raise hell, and if they dont give you the vehicle call the sherrif and have them help. That being said you were quoted a tire price. That price does not include mounting, balancing, tire stems, disposal of the old tires, etc. Next time, find out and agree to the bill before any work is done.
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Yeah, I know all about nitrogen doing pretty much nothing at all. On a previous car it had a sticker about the tires being filled with nitrogen so I was curious to find out about it.

I tried contacting the manager earlier, but he was not there, sent him an email and going to try calling again tomorrow or Monday.

I know all about the tire price quote as well not including mounting, balancing etc, when I first called them I asked for the out the door price including sales tax. I also realize I should have addressed it before paying, but like I said I had to get back to work asap.
 
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