Proper load rate is KEY

[Kadakami03]

When I walked in the Sears auto store here in Annapolis a couple of weeks ago they sold me some goodyear tires that were rated 81T (T for speed rating), because they call the dealership and thay said my car could use "any tire". Well... guess what. The result of this was a completely unsafe car to drive, a total road hazard, un-responsive, wiggley, outright scary to drive! Like driving on Jell-o.

When I came back next day they suggested adding 5 lbs to each tire and try again (went for 35 to 40 in front and 38 in back). That did not help either.

So came monday I went back and talked to the Manager who came out, looked a the tires, walked in the store to look at the "tires book" and right there declared it a case of Misfit Tires. Then he told me SEARS WOULD REPLACE THEM for the proper Load Rate tires.

It seems like the book calls for a load rate of at least 84 and they had to special order them.
A week later they called me to tell me that my BRIDGESTONE POTENZA (heavy load shoulders) were in. After paying a small difference in price of the new ones, which are rated 84S (lower speed rate but appropriate load capacity and only 40k miles warranty), I was out of the door with a car that felt again under my control.

GOOD experience in SEARS that took a lose on me, but backed up their word with their pocket.

[nerfer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kadakami03 @ Apr 16 2007, 03:50 PM) [snapback]424227[/snapback]</div>

When I walked in the Sears auto store here in Annapolis a couple of weeks ago they sold me some goodyear tires that were rated 81T (T for speed rating), because they call the dealership and thay said my car could use "any tire". Well... guess what. The result of this was a completely unsafe car to drive, a total road hazard, un-responsive, wiggley, outright scary to drive! Like driving on Jell-o.

When I came back next day they suggested adding 5 lbs to each tire and try again (went for 35 to 40 in front and 38 in back). That did not help either.

So came monday I went back and talked to the Manager who came out, looked a the tires, walked in the store to look at the "tires book" and right there declared it a case of Misfit Tires. Then he told me SEARS WOULD REPLACE THEM for the proper Load Rate tires.

It seems like the book calls for a load rate of at least 84 and they had to special order them.
A week later they called me to tell me that my BRIDGESTONE POTENZA (heavy load shoulders) were in. After paying a small difference in price of the new ones, which are rated 84S (lower speed rate but appropriate load capacity and only 40k miles warranty), I was out of the door with a car that felt again under my control.

GOOD experience in SEARS that took a lose on me, but backed up their word with their pocket.
[/b]

That's assuming they called the dealership the first time. I would think it would be easier for them to look it up in a book, why would they call the dealer? It's good that the manager did the right thing.

I had a bad experience at Sears auto center at Woodfield Mall (Chicago area), took it in for free rotation and balancing. They wanted to also do something else that I refused, because that wasn't covered and I knew I could do it myself if it needed it (air filter? can't remember anymore). I think they were a little miffed, because it took forever for them to work on my car (not finish, just even start), so I complained (as nicely as I could), and when I finally got the car one tire was seriously out of balance. I took it to my trusted mechanic and they said it was the largest size weight that fits on that tire, and it was put at 180' to the proper position. But who knows, that was probably one shift manager, couple years ago, and hopefully they fired him by now. I should have complained, but I just took my money elsewhere.

But good advice on getting the proper tires, thanks for the info on what that can do.

[galaxee]

well, let's say sears auto center has its record with us. DH left there after being asked to do unethical things, refusing, then being suspended for "insubordination"

they subscribe to a national ethics in repair program that all their techs used to have to sign too... the irony.

[cc9150]

Y'all need to listen to Ron White's story about the lug nuts on his van, and Sears Automotive.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 16 2007, 07:58 PM) [snapback]424331[/snapback]</div>

well, let's say sears auto center has its record with us. DH left there after being asked to do unethical things, refusing, then being suspended for "insubordination"

they subscribe to a national ethics in repair program that all their techs used to have to sign too... the irony.
[/b]

Many years ago didn't Sears settle with AGs over deceptive sales practices or fraudulent work?