[PattyCakes]

I'll be in the market for new tires soon, and certainly will not go to Tire Choice at Colony. Thanks for the heads up!

[2BNTV]

Thanks for the heads up as I had a coupon for an oil change that I as planning on using. There are some businesses that will upsell you on their services. There were several in my hometown, so what's new.

I went to Town Fair Tire for a tire that was leaking air. Long story short, they jerked me around for several hours before doing the repair while I had a job interview. I was very upset. The manager didn't show any concern at all as he could care less.

I knew the daughter of the owner, and wrote him a letter. He fired that manager and I have used them again, as another service center was excellent.

I will avoid all the Tire Choice stores, and I am so sorry this happend to your grandmother.

I like the idea of disputing the charge if on a credit card. Let the CC company negotiate with them as the CC company will take away their use, if they determine that fraudulent activity occurred. She is lucky to have a grandson who cares so much about her, to run interference for thes types of vendors.

Good luck, getting this resolved to your satisfaction.

[ROCKETMAN]

I went to tire choice a couple of times with the coupon for $20.00 oil change and they were fine but the last 2 times they recommended over $1000 in various repairs, fluids, etc. Friend told me about accu-tech automotive in oxford just a short left turn off 466 on left. Had no break lights and he stopped what he was doing and fixed them. Just a husband and wife operation. Chatted with the wife and she said the tire stores have given them such a increase in business giving second opinions. Her husband tolf me beware of any $20.00 oil changes, they would go bankrupt if that's all they did.

[Challenger]

While working in a small town in Va near DC one of my Directors who owned a Ford store ask to use my office phone for a moment. I overheard his call to the service manager at his dealership. He berated the manager for allowing the average service invoice to total less than $100.(obviously a few years ago) Upselling is rampant in the automotive business. That is not necessarily bad if the proposed new part or service is legit.
My single experience at Tire Choice was very good, but the many cases recounted here have convinced me that I will not patronize this establishment again.

An investigative report by a local news agency might help for a while , but this kind of thing will just reoccur if owners lack integrity.

"Caveat Emptor"

[00wcpt]

The whole point of a low cost service/oil change is to get you in there. You know the upswell is coming. You know management is pressed for high profits and a successful store. Combine that with a large concentrated number of individuals and you have a recipe for what is happening. None if us were born last night, we all know this stuff, you just have to say "no"

[Shimpy]

I for one am glad to always read posts warning others of bad service recieved as well as good. It is then up to us to make a decision whether to go there or not. I don't pay much attention to restaurants or movies since peoples tastes are vastly different, but retail stores or services hold more water to me. Keep giving us reports on your experiences and that will help us to make a decision.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

I for one am glad to always read posts warning others of bad service recieved as well as good. It is then up to us to make a decision whether to go there or not. I don't pay much attention to restaurants or movies since peoples tastes are vastly different, but retail stores or services hold more water to me. Keep giving us reports on your experiences and that will help us to make a decision.

It's also lending credibility that the preponderance of experiences related are negative. I too went there to have a nail removed from a tire, with a two-year-old car. They fixed the tire and did not try to upsell me, but I wonder... my husband was with me, and we do not look old or frail, sat in the waiting room with iPad and Kindle. Discussing Dali's surrealistic period. Okay, not the last part.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by CFrance

It's also lending credibility that the preponderance of experiences related are negative. I too went there to have a nail removed from a tire, with a two-year-old car. They fixed the tire and did not try to upsell me, but I wonder... my husband was with me, and we do not look old or frail, sat in the waiting room with iPad and Kindle. Discussing Dali's surrealistic period. Okay, not the last part.

This is an interesting and humorous response. (Enjoyed the Dali reference!) I think you're right on with your demographic observation. The bottom line is that the pattern is irrefutable.

[MoeVonB61]

Sorry to hear this!!:
1. Call Seniors vs Crimes (Sumter County Sheriff's Office on 466) and file a report.
2. If your Grandmother paid with a credit card, have her call them WITHIN 30 DAYS to file a dispute for misrepresentation of Services and the credit card company will review the case and potentially credit back some or all to your Grandmother (they debit the Merchant's account).
3. Ask for the CEO/COO of the Company and call and tell them you will contact FOX NEWS to run a "clip" on the local news to warn Consumers in the Area.........

....YES, I had a similar experience with PEP BOYS in Orlando and the credit card company credited me back. ALSO!! Tire Choice in Orlando does the same thing....Firestone owned by the same company but they are more ethical!

GOOD LUCK.

[mixsonci]

Originally Posted by 00wcpt

The whole point of a low cost service/oil change is to get you in there. You know the upswell is coming. You know management is pressed for high profits and a successful store. Combine that with a large concentrated number of individuals and you have a recipe for what is happening. None if us were born last night, we all know this stuff, you just have to say "no"

However, the problem with just saying "no", is what if you really do need some work done that you were not aware of. It's like the little boy who cried wolf, when do you know they are telling you the truth and when they are just scamming you, particularly if that is their custom. Being a single woman, I don't know much about cars or how to fix them so I must rely on a mechanic and hopefully he is reputable. I don't want to just say "no" in case I really do need some extra work, like brake pads. You need a reputable shop that you can trust and is not just telling you that you need all this work done for their own benefit when you really don't need it.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

However, the problem with just saying "no", is what if you really do need some work done that you were not aware of. It's like the little boy who cried wolf, when do you know they are telling you the truth and when they are just scamming you, particularly if that is their custom. Being a single woman, I don't know much about cars or how to fix them so I must rely on a mechanic and hopefully he is reputable. I don't want to just say "no" in case I really do need some extra work, like brake pads. You need a reputable shop that you can trust and is not just telling you that you need all this work done for their own benefit when you really don't need it.

Then, go to Wildwood Tire

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Then, go to Wildwood Tire

That's why we like this forum. People tell us where to go!

Seriously, now I have two recommendations for honest places (Sumter Tire and Wildwood Tire), and both not far from home.

[Steve & Deanna]

Up north, we've used Costco for the last five tire purchases over the years. They offer fair prices and rotate the ties periodically for free. Too bad we don't have a Costco nearer than Altamonte Springs.

[VILLAGER 2011]

Thank you for your post and the heads up.
I need new tires and was going to have a set of Michelins put on at Colony Tire Choice.
I never did like the idea of not being able to see the service are from the waiting room as they have set up there.
I will go to another tire dealer...any suggestions?

[billethkid]

"I never did like the idea of not being able to see the service are from the waiting room as they have set up there."

describes 99% of all service shops dealer or private!!

btk