TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Aug 18, 2020 7:28 pm

I had similar thing happen with my isuzu rodeo. It wasn't stock tire size. They said if I want to pull up to the door, they would let me use their jack and air tools to remove each wheel, and they could then replace the tire and allow me to install it myself.

I did it.

Tue Aug 18, 2020 8:45 pm

Took my rims in and had them mounted off the vehicle as the manager said that was the only way they could do it. When I picked them up the guy asked if I would bring the van by so he could see it :lol:

Tue Aug 18, 2020 10:10 pm

shagginwagon83 wrote: I had similar thing happen with my isuzu rodeo. It wasn't stock tire size. They said if I want to pull up to the door, they would let me use their jack and air tools to remove each wheel, and they could then replace the tire and allow me to install it myself.

I did it.

That's some southern hospitality!

And far enough from Kirkland, WA that the lawyers didn't blow a gasket knowing you're jacking up your car on their property with their jack. WTH? :)

Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:23 am

jimf909 wrote: shagginwagon83 wrote: I had similar thing happen with my isuzu rodeo. It wasn't stock tire size. They said if I want to pull up to the door, they would let me use their jack and air tools to remove each wheel, and they could then replace the tire and allow me to install it myself.

I did it.

That's some southern hospitality!

And far enough from Kirkland, WA that the lawyers didn't blow a gasket knowing you're jacking up your car on their property with their jack. WTH? :)
Oh yeah, if only Corporate knew THAT was going on.... :P :P :P
What could go wrong..... :wink:
Anyway, it's still nice that you were allowed to do that shagginwagon83... 8)

Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:27 am

Don’t let people making $12 an hour work on your Bus.

It’s like using the Lowe’s contractors for house work

Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:36 am

It was nice. I appreciated not having to put the whole vehicle on jack stands and take the wheels all the way back.

Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:18 am

I buy my tires from Costco with 16 in GW rims, they mounted them the only issue was the tork rating, they wouldn't use GW tork spec of #95 so I didn't push it, they went to 120 fp, I just re worked them when I got home Other than that Im very happy with my tires...

Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:12 am

calo1956 wrote: I buy my tires from Costco with 16 in GW rims, they mounted them the only issue was the tork rating, they wouldn't use GW tork spec of #95 so I didn't push it, they went to 120 fp, I just re worked them when I got home Other than that Im very happy with my tires...

Not to derail the the thread, but curious as to your feedback on the performance of the Michelin X-Tours and what pressures you keep them at given their 95 load rating. I understand they replace the Defenders that GW has been selling for years, but was always leery with the lower load rating.

To bring the thread back online, on our road trip last year, we swung by a Costco Tire shop in Colorado where staff refused to check the torque on my wheels as the wheels/tires were not purchased from, nor installed by them...which was true, but still.....

Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:21 am

calo1956 wrote: I buy my tires from Costco with 16 in GW rims, they mounted them the only issue was the tork rating, they wouldn't use GW tork spec of #95 so I didn't push it, they went to 120 fp, I just re worked them when I got home Other than that Im very happy with my tires...

I think that proves the "regional" nature of Costco. My experience is with Costco in Chicago, so take that into consideration. Also, from the manager's attitude, he was in no way going to let me get those tires on the van. Water under the bridge.

Update on my situation: I called an NTB/Mavis that is close-ish to my place and talked to the manager there and it looks like I'm going to get the same thing put on this afternoon. I told him about my previous experience and he assured me it would be no problem. +$100 in total from my price at Costco (as NTB charges you for mounting and balancing even when you order the tires through them.) but they got the tires overnight and called me to see if I wanted them put on today (vs my original appointment on Friday) which was cool. We'll see how it goes.

Wed Aug 19, 2020 4:40 pm

I always bring just the rims in to tire shops for new tires. I learned decades ago something always goes wrong, from lifting on a spot that bends something under the car "they didn't think I'd care about" to a curious porter wanting to engage the rear locker on my classic Quattro, to the lugnuts torqued to 200lbs-ft, etc. I find it simpler and more relaxing to just do the remove/install myself for peace of mind.

Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:29 pm

Many shops follow the book. Many insurance companies will only allow you to install new parts. Many will not allow you to put on customer supplied parts or used parts. Many won't allow you to come in the shop. Tough to do what you think is OK only to find out you're not covered.

I'm certain Costco like many other places got sued for 'helping out' someone only to get shafted because the customer was wrong.

Hats off for Costco for insisting that they do it right or not at all.

Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:10 pm

I've had excellent service at Discount Tire (20 yrs?) and they even matched other prices (don't remember if I ever matched Costco)....Once I was planning on driving NM to OR, went into the NM store saying I could get them here or in OR w.o tax and they matched no tax and I got to drive on new tires...not sure how often I could do that :)

Also love the Firestone Lifetime alignment ... 20 yrs of service, NICE!

Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:43 pm

- I also have received nothing but good service from Discount over 20+ years. I don't always buy tires from them but I always check with them (inconvenience of their location is a barrier).

- I understand Costco's refusal to take on the risk of putting non-stock tires on our antiques. There are a few dozen Vanagon owners and a few million Rav4, CRV and Prius owners. Guess who's trying to cheap out and put passenger car tires on a Vanagon (not the OP, but plenty of other Vanagon owners). Guess who generates Costco's $150 billion in sales?

Thu Aug 20, 2020 11:34 am

X3 on Discount Tire (the big chain, not the regional outfit that uses the same name).

They will also match a price off the internet (e.g. Tire-Easy, Tire Rack, etc). I just print the page and show them the quote.

Finally, they let you make an appointment and they keep it on time. Nice feeling to be among the crowd waiting as they unlock the doors - then they call out 'Who has an appointment?'.

That said - I have also used Costco for my wife's car as it is very convenient for her to have the work done while she shops.

Thu Aug 20, 2020 9:21 pm

Same here in Hawai`i.

GoodYear does it, but I hate that nobody fixes tires with a patch here no matter how hard you ask. Last time I went to GoodYear, I asked for a patch, they put a wick :roll:

I have never seen a tire fixed with a wick before I got to the US, I`m pretty sure it doesn`t pass the French safety check. For tires, they are a PITA there too, but at least it the rolling diameter is within close specs and the speed rating is high, they pass if you have 16" for example.

I always wanted my own tire mounting machine and balancing unit, this and an alignment set up, then "mechanics" would never see me ever again :lol:

Thu Aug 20, 2020 9:24 pm

Discount does patches (the ones with the plug to the outside) also independent shops and motorcycle shops have done those for me

Fri Aug 21, 2020 12:52 am

The trip to the tire store costs more than the slime kit.

Fri Aug 21, 2020 10:05 am

vanis13 wrote: Discount does patches (the ones with the plug to the outside) also independent shops and motorcycle shops have done those for me
"Plug patch" is what our Merchant's Tire place called these and happily did them for me for years except when the puncture was too close to the shoulder of the tire. Then Merchant's was bought out by NTB and I have not yet approached them for such a fix.

Fri Aug 21, 2020 10:34 am

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=77

Fri Aug 28, 2020 3:51 pm

Just had an interstate battery from costco fail prematurely.
42 month warranty but I am only 32 months in.
I asked when I bought this if my warranty was tied to my membership and I was told no just bring in the receipt.
This turns out not to be true and I have no functional warranty unless I renew my membership.
Pretty sneaky.
Same is true of tires.
Keep that in mind when you shop there.