Never stops amazing me

[BigAls87Z28]

One constant when you go to replace your tires. Bring the wheels.
I cannot stress this enough. Without the wheel, Ill just bunge cord the tire to the hood of your car, and you can be on your way.

[Tru2Chevy]

Someone came in to buy new tires, but they didn't have wheels?

- Justin

[Tsar]

How much do you charge to mount/balance 2 315/35's and 2 275/40's?

[deadtrend1]

Someone came in to buy new tires, but they didn't have wheels?

- Justin

I'm confused also .. .did they just roll into the garage on the brake rotors or something?

[WildBillyT]

I'm confused also .. .did they just roll into the garage on the brake rotors or something?

Maybe loose tires but only brought the tires?

[bubba428]

Al, most people actually have the misconception that the wheel and tire are one piece. they done understand that we change the rubber when the service is done

[NJ Torque]

I get that all the time... I even ask if the car is here...

Haha.

[sweetbmxrider]

i woulda paint brushed that motha

[BigAls87Z28]

It tends to be just one rim, or they come in thinking that tires come with rims, so they just buy them from me and they put them on.

Another thing that bothers me....Online ordering. This is tied in with the rim thing.
This lady bought one tire on line for her car. I called her up and she said "oh...I just called there to see if you guys have it, so I went on line to buy it so I could come on down."
Now I thought that maybe she lives far away, and wanted to just make sure before she bought it...BUT SHE LIVES ONT HE SAME ROAD AS THE MALL!! She lives 5 mins away. She saved zero time, if anything she actually lost time after I told her she has to go get her rims so I can put the tire on it.

[Untamed]

Wait, you're complaining about someone calling ahead to confirm you have the tire she needs, while giving you the opportunity to remind her to bring the materials (rims) she needs to mount the tires?

Call me crazy, but I wish more people would confirm things and get suggestions from staff, before showing up and complaining about not knowing what they need. Five minutes or five hours, ALWAYS call ahead to save yourself some time.

[BigAls87Z28]

Wait, you're complaining about someone calling ahead to confirm you have the tire she needs, while giving you the opportunity to remind her to bring the materials (rims) she needs to mount the tires?

Call me crazy, but I wish more people would confirm things and get suggestions from staff, before showing up and complaining about not knowing what they need. Five minutes or five hours, ALWAYS call ahead to save yourself some time.


No.
She called up to see if I had a tire. I said yes.
She then orderd it on line, in which they will confirm or show you which store has them in stock, or if they need to be orderd.
She then came down to have it installed 3 hrs later. When she arrived, she had no wheel, just the spare on the car. She left the wheel in her garage.
She said "oh I live 5 mins away". My point is...when she called, why didnt she just drive her self down 5 mins away to have it put on. Why did she order it on line? She didnt save herself anything? And she didnt purchase a low-end tire either.
Call ahead, yes, but call ahead, order it on line, then come down? If you called, you just did the online thing by checking that we had it.

[WildBillyT]

This is why I always bring loose tires and rims. The guys at my local place say they prefer that.

[BigAls87Z28]

Eh...either or. If you wana jack your car up and leave it hanging in your driveway for an hour or so while you drive them down, roll them into my shop, have my guys mount and balance them, then you can put them back in your car, drive them home, and then bolt them up, thats fine with me.
But, I think its easier for me to just use my cool lifts and get the wheels off and everything.

[jims69camaro]

that would be the reason why you have cool lifts to begin with. call to make sure you have the tire. double check online to make sure you have the tire (didn't trust you), then drive 5 minutes on the spare leaving the old rim and tire at home. that woman gets the dunce cap.

20 minutes total travel time, 5 minutes online, 1 minute on the phone with you... yeah, she just about ki8lled an afternoon, 'cause you know she was doing other s__t at the same time, and she still had to go home to get the rim for you to mount it.

maybe she thought you could magically install the new tire on the rim she left at home...

[JL8Jeff]

Lack of common sense! With the cost of gas going up, why would you not ask questions before going somewhere to find out you need to bring it with you! It's worth calling to make sure something is actually in stock so you don't waste the trip. I've had no problems getting tires done both ways. Bring the vehicle in and have the new tires mounted and balanced and old tires disposed of all in one shot while you walk around the mall eating your Aunty Anne's pretzel and complain about the price of Starbucks coffee. And I also bring the wheels/tires in to a shop and drop them off to be mounted/balanced at their convenience and pick them up on the way home.

[qwikz28]

No.
She called up to see if I had a tire. I said yes.
She then orderd it on line, in which they will confirm or show you which store has them in stock, or if they need to be orderd.
She then came down to have it installed 3 hrs later. When she arrived, she had no wheel, just the spare on the car. She left the wheel in her garage.
She said "oh I live 5 mins away". My point is...when she called, why didnt she just drive her self down 5 mins away to have it put on. Why did she order it on line? She didnt save herself anything? And she didnt purchase a low-end tire either.
Call ahead, yes, but call ahead, order it on line, then come down? If you called, you just did the online thing by checking that we had it.

people think that buying online is cheaper, even at the same store. i know that because my father is one of those people. our local tire shop matches online prices if you ask for it but he still insists on buying online; even though you then have to pay shipping and the guy rapes us on installation charges because its an outside tire...

[Savage_Messiah]

Stop crying about it you big baby



:lol:

[BigAls87Z28]

Well, I would but to compound this crap, the lady came back after 630, when all the techs were gone. So I had to put on my tech hat and M&B a tire. I was ready to cash out and go home.

[jims69camaro]

people think that buying online is cheaper, even at the same store. i know that because my father is one of those people. our local tire shop matches online prices if you ask for it but he still insists on buying online; even though you then have to pay shipping and the guy rapes us on installation charges because its an outside tire...

i'm in a similar situation. i find that tire-rack consistently has tires for tens of dollars less than any 'brick and mortar'. the difference is, i take all of my cars to one mechanic so he doesn't rape us on installation; but he sends machine work out (like the brake rotors) since he doesn't have his own machining tools.

[sweetbmxrider]

yeah but if you buy from most shops, with their price they include installation. so you aren't saving money, you are spreading it around. don't you have to pay shipping as well?

and as for bringing loose wheels/tires down to install yourself in your driveway, what about proper torque of the lug nuts? that can be bad if you are too tight and obviously too loose.

[WildBillyT]

and as for bringing loose wheels/tires down to install yourself in your driveway, what about proper torque of the lug nuts? that can be bad if you are too tight and obviously too loose.

I've had more of an issue with people air gunning the wheels on too tight then I have had using my torque wrench. As a matter of fact, I've never actually seen anybody in any shop use a torque wrench. Plus it gives me a chance to inspect the brakes and suspension.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[Tsar]

I've had more of an issue with people air gunning the wheels on too tight then I have had using my torque wrench. As a matter of fact, I've never actually seen anybody in any shop use a torque wrench. Plus it gives me a chance to inspect the brakes and suspension.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.
What he said. I hate when shops tighten my lug nuts way to tight so it is almost impossible to take them off later on.

One time (my previous car) they tightened it so hard that I had to jump on the damn lug nut wrench to loosen it. At first I tried doing it by hand, 99.9% of the time it does the trick. After getting annoyed, I decide to rest my weight on lug nut wrench in hopes that my 200 pound body would generate enough force for the damn thing to let go. When that didn't work I simply jumped on it... it worked... but damn that's way too tight! I have never had a problem with any wheels that I put on myself, and I have done so plenty of times.

P.S. Tirerack FTW - I have never bought tires anywhere else.

[sweetbmxrider]

no that was my concern. if you torque yours, awesome! but most guys i would see just manning it on there, which can be even tighter than air guns. i agree with being able to check your brakes and suspension, no better time than with the wheel off. but if you don't have the proper equipment, you shouldn't mess with it. its pretty easy to warp rotors now a days. just my thoughts. and they do make attachments for airguns that torque your wheel properly fyi

[BigAls87Z28]

yeah but if you buy from most shops, with their price they include installation. so you aren't saving money, you are spreading it around. don't you have to pay shipping as well?

and as for bringing loose wheels/tires down to install yourself in your driveway, what about proper torque of the lug nuts? that can be bad if you are too tight and obviously too loose.

Not all places include install with the price of the tire. Most auto shops have a price for balancing. Here at work, mounting is included but balancing is not included.

Anyone with a torque wrench can do them, but I have access to an air impact gun at home. Our guys have torque sticks in which it limits the maximum amount of torque you can put to the lug nuts. Then we hand-torque each wheel.

I've had more of an issue with people air gunning the wheels on too tight then I have had using my torque wrench. As a matter of fact, I've never actually seen anybody in any shop use a torque wrench. Plus it gives me a chance to inspect the brakes and suspension.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

It depends on how hands on you are.

What he said. I hate when shops tighten my lug nuts way to tight so it is almost impossible to take them off later on.

P.S. Tirerack FTW - I have never bought tires anywhere else.


To tell you the truth, Ive come close or straight up beaten Tire Rack price wise on several occations. It doesnt happen often where customers come in to price match or compare prices, but once you factor the price it would cost you to ship it, and then the price to pay a shop to mount on top of balance it, my prices tends to be spot on.

Disclaimer: I am not advertising for Sears Auto or asking anyone to come see me or purchase anything from me.

[Tsar]

Well maybe ill buy my tires from you next time, I don't care who to pay as long as I like the price :shrug:

[sweetbmxrider]

yeah i referred to torque sticks in my other post. i was also saying that you can get tires off the internet and unless u know someone or something like that, you have to pay a shop to mount and balance them, never mind shipping. buying from most shops, they include that in the price, minus shipping.

[edpontiac91]

Well, I would but to compound this crap, the lady came back after 630, when all the techs were gone. So I had to put on my tech hat and M&B a tire. I was ready to cash out and go home.

Brian L and Joe K and Regis R would be proud of you. You get an extra YOUR AWESOME pat on the back. Now with your commission, you can take out the entire Fbody club to DIARY QUEEN! :orlyflag:

[rscamaro73]

LOL'n at the replies. I too have issues with over stripped (I mean torqued) lug nuts....worst case - Pep Boys....where I only take my van. I'll take the truck somewhere else, but at PB's they stopped harassing me about things since I get the tires/service there as well as the annual inspections. Had the wife take it there the last few times and NO issues. I take it and it needs a lower control arm (you know, only way to get bushings or a ball joint on a new Ford is a control arm :-?).

But those fookers have stripped 2 SETS of front lug nuts. I keep 2 extra sets in the house just in case they jack me up again. I tried getting them to cover me for the cost of new ones after I had to get a flat off like 2 weeks after I got NEW tires from them....I brought the stripped out nuts and they still denied it. I bitched so much the last time I was there after that - that they finally agreed to let me back there to keep an eye on them and they Tq stick it , and Tq by hand.

Hell, when I worked at UHaul....we had to Tq everything by hand. We got 'lucky' and got the Tq sticks before I quit....and then you STILL had to do it by hand afterwards, or get fired....they QC'd everything, especially the lugnuts.

But hey....some people just aren't bright enough to understand that you gotta have the wheel there to change the rubber out....

BTW - what's my pricing on a pair of 275/60/15's ??? :lol:

[Knipps]

Brian L and Joe K and Regis R would be proud of you. You get an extra YOUR AWESOME pat on the back. Now with your commission, you can take out the entire Fbody club to DIARY QUEEN!
:orlyflag:

I'd rather have Dairy Queen. ;)

[BigAls87Z28]

Hey Ed, the new counter tops are have hair line scratches all in them now...looks like shinny garbage now. And I need to find a way to wash that microfiber towel...wonder if there is any special way.

[jims69camaro]

as long as I like the price :shrug:

yeah, everything else is pretty much a non-issue or a secondary concern. as for shipping, i think tire-rack waives shipping over a certain dollar amount. so, if you buy all four tires from them, or a pair of wheels or something, shipping is gratis. even if it wasn't, it's got to be a nominal fee, because i don't remember it. if it was an extra $50 to ship, then i might be doing more business with brick and mortar stores.

[79CamaroDiva]

nobody, including tirerack or al's sears has ever been able to beat the price I get at OK4wd. its probably because we've been dealing with them forever, but the salesman scott has always gotten me amazing prices, not just on tires, but all performance parts.

[SteveR]

nobody, including tirerack or al's sears has ever been able to beat the price I get at OK4wd. its probably because we've been dealing with them forever, but the salesman scott has always gotten me amazing prices, not just on tires, but all performance parts.

I highly second that :) Scott gets me everything for cheap.

[jims69camaro]

yeah i referred to torque sticks in my other post. i was also saying that you can get tires off the internet and unless u know someone or something like that, you have to pay a shop to mount and balance them, never mind shipping. buying from most shops, they include that in the price, minus shipping.

my mechanic charges me $10 whether it's one tire or four. when i bought the tires for the jeep, he said $10 and it took me a second to realize he meant $10; not $10 each but for all four M&B. he really is a decent guy. i knew him from when he worked at the dealership where i sold cars. he's solid people.

[jims69camaro]

I'd rather have Dairy Queen. ;)

as long as you're correcting him, why not throw in the "You're" not "Your". yes, it's my awesome and you can't have it.

[Knipps]

as long as you're correcting him, why not throw in the "You're" not "Your". yes, it's my awesome and you can't have it.

I've given up on that here. :lol:

[Savage_Messiah]

OK, here's a question for all you torque-nazis


My torque wrench only goes up to 80 ft lbs... how can I judge when I get to a hundred? There any set "go X turns and you're there"???

[BigAls87Z28]

Get a better torque wrench

[Savage_Messiah]

This is a good one. The craftsman click type. I got it on sale :D

[sweetbmxrider]

not good enough!

[Tru2Chevy]

not good enough!

:stupid:

Fidget's torque wrench FTL!

- Justin

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

my mechanic charges me $10 whether it's one tire or four. when i bought the tires for the jeep, he said $10 and it took me a second to realize he meant $10; not $10 each but for all four M&B. he really is a decent guy. i knew him from when he worked at the dealership where i sold cars. he's solid people.

How big is this guy that he counts as more than one person?! :mrgreen:

Melissa/Steve...I guess you guys have an in, as I've heard they do great stuff, and have great parts, but are very expensive.

[79CamaroDiva]

How big is this guy that he counts as more than one person?! :mrgreen:

Melissa/Steve...I guess you guys have an in, as I've heard they do great stuff, and have great parts, but are very expensive.

How small are we to count as one?! :lol:

Yes, one of my racers is lead salesman there. Their labor is expensive, but if you come in off the street i can almost guarantee they'll beat the price on parts.

And for anyone who cares, they're the only shop around I know of that will M/B beadlocked 33x16x15" slicks on a 15x15 rim.

[Savage_Messiah]

Al, get me a good one for cheap? You get a discont right? Hook a brotha up

[jims69camaro]

they're the only shop around I know of that will M/B beadlocked 33x16x15" slicks on a 15x15 rim.

i don't know why anyone would have a problem with this?

How big is this guy that he counts as more than one person?! :mrgreen:
haven't you ever heard of the expression "he's good people"? i took it and changed good to solid, since he's the most consistent mechanic i know. if he moves or goes out of business, i don't know where i will take my cars. and talking him up on a website is the best way i know of to get people to at least try him. there are a bunch of lurkers here from the surrounding area of bayville (pine beach, beachwood, forked river, etc) so they might give him a shot. gotta get others in there so they will make him their regular mechanic and his business will grow.

i had a guy in beachwood (H&M?), but he just up and left the state, sold his business and i heard he's in florida now. i wasn't that regular a customer, but he could have sent me a postcard or something to let me know he was heading out. i don't blame him for going to florida, just the way he did it. he was good people, too.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

i don't know why anyone would have a problem with this?


haven't you ever heard of the expression "he's good people"? .

uhhhh no :-?. Why wouldn't it just be "he's a good person"?

How small are we to count as one?! :lol:


Microscopic....How else can we live so close and never see each other driving around or something. :-P

[BonzoHansen]

OK, here's a question for all you torque-nazis


My torque wrench only goes up to 80 ft lbs... how can I judge when I get to a hundred? There any set "go X turns and you're there"???

Buy a bigger one, jackass. :lol:

[Tru2Chevy]

Buy a bigger one, jackass. :lol:

He got the Fidget-sized one....

- Justin

[jims69camaro]

uhhhh no :-?. Why wouldn't it just be "he's a good person"?

i don't know. i didn't make it up, i just like the way it sounds. as in, he's part of the group that makes up the good people. he's (a part of the group of ) good people.

[Savage_Messiah]

Ironically it turns out the spec on my mercedes is...

80 ft lbs.


Sweet :D

[Squirrel]

Ironically it turns out the spec on my mercedes is...

80 ft lbs.


Sweet :D

ironically, 80 ft. lbs. is what the benz puts to the wheels also...
zing

[Savage_Messiah]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Squirrel]

you ever get that thing to the track?

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

i don't know. i didn't make it up, i just like the way it sounds. as in, he's part of the group that makes up the good people. he's (a part of the group of ) good people.

Wow great explanation thanks :moon:

[Knipps]

uhhhh no :-?. Why wouldn't it just be "he's a good person"?

you really do live in the sticks under a rock, don't you?

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

you really do live in the sticks under a rock, don't you?

Maybe. But my rock has internet and cable.