Costco Tire "Fee" is this legit?

Tell them to just leave the TPMS sensors and valves alone?

Costco are the folks I've been using, but have yet to bring in a car with TPMS sensors I posted a question on this subject here, a while back, and that was the consensus.

 

So just a question.
Have you ever been visited by 4 spirits on Christmas Eve?
All motivated to get you to reform your perspective on life.

This is a fee that is less than $12.00.
Given the discount that Costco routinely provides in regards to their tires, I really wouldn't sweat it.
My guess is that it IS legit, and has something to do with whatever they need to do to transfer your TPMS from one set of tires to the other.

But you can ask.
Ask exactly what a TPMS "service pack" is...
I'd be curious.
If the answer isn't good enough? There are a world of other places to purchase tires.


But bottom line, if you feel what you are paying is a good deal? Then it's the price as a whole. And personally, I'm not sweating less than $12.00.
Buy a couple hot dogs while you wait and take advantage of the "Free Refilll" and you'll pretty much break even on the deal.

 

Wait a sec: the tpms sensor is at the back of the valve, which is on the rim. No connection to the tire, well unless they manage to damage it, taking the tire off. The charge IS trivial..., maybe ask them if you can pay for the pack, and then they just throw it away. Because seems to me your odds of getting out of there trouble-free are better if they leave it be.

Seems to me they're hurting since the advent of TPMS, which tend to be durable, best left alone valves, not needing replacement with every tire replacement.

The TPMS packs tend to be an O-ring or two, I think.

 

The TPMS is on the back of the valve-stem (inside the rim) so requires the tyre to be removed in order to service the sensor (O-rings? battery?)

 

I'm not following. If you're going in to get new tires, there's no pressing reason for them to touch the TPMS, right?

 

maybe it's policy, and perhaps a good idea to do something to them while you're in there.
from what i understand, the battery is not replaceable, and when it dies, you need a whole new sensor.

 

having no technical knowledge of tpms, and forced to accept their expertise, short of being able to find opposite info, i would pay the 12, rather than delate a scam, something i have not been able to quantify. certainly, i would ask them to educate me.

 

Well, I would ask exactly what the "Service Pack" is...and why it is needed.
But without knowing this, you and others are only assuming it's not legit.

I googled the term, and found you aren't the only one questioning the fee.
Costco should do a better job communicating what the "Service Pack" is...and why it is recommended or needed.

 

This is somewhat like a "resort fee" that hotels charge. You can try to decline it but most likely it's an automatic charge, whether or not you use that service.

Costco is really good at resolving complaints to the customer's satisfaction. If you believe in principal, just tell them you're not going to pay it....they won't charge you. But if anything happens to your tire during that period, they probably won't take responsibility.

 

according to 'tpms made simple' sponsored by schrader: whenever tires are replaced, a service kit, which includes valve core, sealing cap, nut and grommet must be replaced.

according to 'tire review' this only needs to be done if the valve is removed from the wheel.

 

It likely to cover the various tools from the car manufacturers to relearn the sensors to their new wheel spot, and check the battery. The sensor and battery are like those smoke detectors that don't require battery changes. when the battery dies, other components likely are near worn out, and it is easier to just replace the entire sensor.

 

So, you don't need to replace the stems with this then?

 

no idea. it's not in their kit. what is valve core?

 

Let's just say I feel really stupid for paying the Magnetic Pole Reversal Re-Orientation Fee when I had my tires rotated and leave it at that.

 

It's to compensate themselves for no longer being able to sell you an overpriced new valve stem---which you probably didn't need either.

 

could be costco's method of offering a cheap up front price, then making it back in the fine print. how does bj's compare?

 

I had a tire repair a while back, the guy tells me, $10 for regular tire without tpms, $20 for tire with tpms. So I thought it would be different. He proceed to just "plug up" my tire. Didn't remove the tire from the rim....nothing. Then I said, why the difference in price? He said I had a tpms, so it's $20. Go Figure!