Tire Choice strikes again

[spring_chicken]

This time, it's the one on 441.
I only went there because it was the only place nearby that I could get my new tires (ordered online) installed. They were reasonable on the installation.
Prior to installing the tires, the manager calls me over and tells me that I need new bushings on the front and rear. Leaf spring bushings, which I'm well aware cost about $25 for enough to do the whole cart.
He then tells me that he doesn't have the parts, but will have them Tuesday and it will cost $500 for parts and labor.
Willy Wilcoxon just left my house. He determined that I needed 1 bushing and the total cost for the service call, parts and labor was $50. It would have been $60 for him to replace all the front bushings, and less than $150 to do the $500 Tire Choice job.
I can't wait until that manager calls me to tell me the parts are in. He's going to get an earful!
Thanks to all who have recommended Willy!

[redwitch]

I've had Walmart install golf cart tires purchased elsewhere. Nice guys, really cheap for installation. Glad you like Willie. He's number one in my book.

[Chatbrat]

Why this operation-Tire Choice- isn't totally black balled is beyond me-anytime I see a new sucker pulling in, I'm tempted to warn them. How they remain in business is baffling.

[Paperboy]

This is TRULY A RIP OFF place of business!!!! They got me for $200.00 in 2011; NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

[DeanFL]

Kinda makes one want to set up a sting with hidden video etc - like Dateline NBC used to do.

just sayin'...

[Villager Joyce]

We had the misfortune of having a flat and Choice on 441 was our only choice. The hair on our necks stood up from the time we arrived until we pulled out of the driveway. 25 minutes into the fix, here comes the closer with all the things that needed replaced. We declined.

[Pointer]

I like the idea of a sting operation there. Wonder how one goes about getting that done? To many people have been ripped off already and more will be.

Since this is a seniors community I wonder if that angle would help. We sure could use an honest place to go to in the villages. It makes me mad that we don't and could have one there. :ohdear:

[villagetinker]

Contact one of the TV stations, I think Wesh 2 is into this. I have seen this done before, a vehicle is inspected by a professional, and a simple item is broken, a light, wire, etc. Then the vehicle is taken to the garage, with the appropriate hidden cameras. I just saw one this afternoon on garage door repairs.
This could be a really great idea, and the TV station may be interested, especially since this is a retirement community, and we already have a series of complaints.

[Chatbrat]

Too bad the Daily Sun keeps letting them advertise. Maybe the Daily Sun should be made aware of their devious practices

[spring_chicken]

I've had Walmart install golf cart tires purchased elsewhere. Nice guys, really cheap for installation. Glad you like Willie. He's number one in my book.

Walmart was my first choice, but they couldn't install on custom rims.

[Philip Winkler]

Does Willie do the annual maintenance--oil change, etc?

Do you have his phone number?

[George Bieniaszek]

Does Willie do the annual maintenance--oil change, etc?

Do you have his phone number?

When you are in the LSL area, swing by Gordon's Garage, the new location for the Villages Yamaha dealer and check out their prices. Very competitive and they service all makes. If you make an appointment or get there real early in the morning for service, they will have a rental for you to use while your cart is being serviced.

[Topspinmo]

This time, it's the one on 441.
I only went there because it was the only place nearby that I could get my new tires (ordered online) installed. They were reasonable on the installation.
Prior to installing the tires, the manager calls me over and tells me that I need new bushings on the front and rear. Leaf spring bushings, which I'm well aware cost about $25 for enough to do the whole cart.
He then tells me that he doesn't have the parts, but will have them Tuesday and it will cost $500 for parts and labor.
Willy Wilcoxon just left my house. He determined that I needed 1 bushing and the total cost for the service call, parts and labor was $50. It would have been $60 for him to replace all the front bushings, and less than $150 to do the $500 Tire Choice job.
I can't wait until that manager calls me to tell me the parts are in. He's going to get an earful!
Thanks to all who have recommended Willy!

Ok, I'm not defending TC. Never been there or plan to. Beings they have overhead and several employee's there operation going to be much higher than some one working out of there truck or garage. There labor rate per hour and retail parts are going to higher. Just the cost of big business. After all I business to make profit which the cost has to include overhead costs.

Most all maintenance businesses point out defects, scheduled, and preventive maintenance that's noted during you free 10 To 200 point inspection. That's why the inspection is free. Depending on the schedule (a or b) routine maintenance at certain intervals comes up quick it you read your owners manual. (Noted this was not car. But it does operate on the road ways and you knew the bushings was defective) not pleased with there labor rate your option to go somewhere else for second quote. Even dealerships note this. Your the one that determined when you want to have it done. Just say no if you don't want it done or think they are ripping you.

I done my own leaf spring bushings The kit was 20 bucks or less online and took longer to jack the cart up take off the wheel for easy access, than it did to replace the bushing.

[gatherer47]

yes Willy does annual maintenance,oil change,etc -he's the best-gives his regular customers a break on prices-just put his name in the search box and his name and number will come up

[tommy steam]

Contact one of the TV stations, I think Wesh 2 is into this. I have seen this done before, a vehicle is inspected by a professional, and a simple item is broken, a light, wire, etc. Then the vehicle is taken to the garage, with the appropriate hidden cameras. I just saw one this afternoon on garage door repairs.
This could be a really great idea, and the TV station may be interested, especially since this is a retirement community, and we already have a series of complaints.

Great idea. Where I used to live a gov agency, which I don't know ,did a sting on a Sears auto repair. Tha management of that store got into big trouble plus Sears got a ton of bad publicity . In the last several years that I have been living here ,I haven't heard any good things about Tire Choice.

[MrGolf]

Do you have Willie's Contact info?

[Topspinmo]

Great idea. Where I used to live a gov agency, which I don't know ,did a sting on a Sears auto repair. Tha management of that store got into big trouble plus Sears got a ton of bad publicity . In the last several years that I have been living here ,I haven't heard any good things about Tire Choice.

Where I lived there was dealership that offered the free oil changes long as you owned the car if you brought the vehicle there. IF you were clueless about routine preventive maintenance you were the pigeon they were looking for. Come to find out they were not changing the oil, but changing stuff (on the invoice) that didn't need to be done yet gouging the very customers they feed on. I found this out when co-worker asked me to look at her car. Oil hadn't been changed ( I suspected they never changed the oil). But if you looked at the dealership records it had. That dealership also had the some local college football team on the payroll which got dealership and college in hot water with the NCAA. Needless to say he sold out and moved to Az, or Fl. I think to start up his next scam.

IMO bottom line Free not always free in the long run. If her case the engine was knocking and puffing blue smoke.

[Floridagal]

Does anyone have Willie's contact number?

[spring_chicken]

Willie Wilcoxon
352-255-1369

[Floridagal]

Thanks.

[biker1]

I was told third hand (yes, this is an an unqualified rumor and I apologize if it isn't true) they will adjust your your top speed down to 20 mph without asking your permission when you bring your cart in for service. Just curious if anyone knows whether this is true or not?

When you are in the LSL area, swing by Gordon's Garage, the new location for the Villages Yamaha dealer and check out their prices. Very competitive and they service all makes. If you make an appointment or get there real early in the morning for service, they will have a rental for you to use while your cart is being serviced.

[Chatbrat]

If they do that,IMHO-they're doing you a favor--the fines for exceeding the 19.9mph on a golf cart are not just for speeding, having an uninsured, unregistered vehicle--total cost could approach $1000.00

[biker1]

I think there may be some urban myth to this. Is there anyone out there who has received a ticket and how much was it?

If they do that,IMHO-they're doing you a favor--the fines for exceeding the 19.9mph on a golf cart are not just for speeding, having an uninsured, unregistered vehicle--total cost could approach $1000.00

[Chatbrat]

Look it up--what is the fine for having an uninsured vehicle?

what is the fine for having an unregistered vehicle?

What is the fine for speeding ?

Just checked online- you will also have a CRIMINAL HISTORY

[VillagerNut]

I think there may be some urban myth to this. Is there anyone out there who has received a ticket and how much was it?
It is not an urban myth about tickets while driving Golf Carts! You cannot get a ticket for speeding for a non-street legal GC. But you can get a ticket for being unregistered plus the fact that you have to have it certified that it is regulated! Do a search on this site and you will see there was a poll a while back. There were plenty of folks that had received a ticket for speeding on the GC.