The Wal-Mart tire controversy (?)

[DOCTORBILL]

I looked for 12 inch tires on the Wal-Mart web site.

It says they don't carry that size.

I called one of my local Wal-Mart stores and asked about 12 inch tires.
I was told they don't carry them nor could I order them either.

I stopped by that same store today and talked to a lady clerk in the Automotive/Tire Department.

She said, "Sure we sell them - I have three in stock right now!"

I told her about the "controversy" as to whether or not Wal-Mart sells 12 inchers
and she was dumbfounded.

I even convinced her to go to the web site and try to find the tires. She couldn't.

Nobody there fessed up to saying they don't carry that size over the phone...

Wal-Mart is so screwed up. Do you think Management would try to fix this ? Hummmm?

So this woman printed out a "current" price invoice for me.

I have added some verbal info she told me (Red).

Click on the thumbnail.



The UPC Code was read off of one of the actual tires they had by some young kid.

I hope this information helps anyone who tries to deal with Wal-Mart....

If you print out the scanned invoice thumbnailed here, you can go to your Local Wal-Mart and argue with recalcitrant clerks!

Crazy stuff !

DoctorBill

I already have four 12 inchers ordered from Discount Tire for $176 mounted, balanced, Tax, out the door, so I will
just show them this invoice. Discount usually comes way down in price if you can prove a better price elsewhere.

If you buy from Discount Tire, they will fix a flat for nothing. Lots of nails being dropped by construction worker trucks
in this area. Nails, Drywall screws, screwdrivers (had a flat from one once!), staples, brads.....what next!?

[GM Line Rat]

I Dont even bother with Wal-Mart for Tires/Auto parts.......The change employees daily....and most of them are clueless anyways!

Kumho Power Star 758 155/80/R12 (All-Season) ....$25.00 each at the Tire Rack.....On my 2nd set of these tires thru the 2 Metro's that I've owned.

Kumho Power Star 758

[DOCTORBILL]

You are right about employee turnover!

Some people hate Wal-Mart for various reasons.

What did you pay for shipping charges and how did they arrive - UPS or truck freight ?

Wal-Mart will install any tire for $5 one time....

DoctorBill

[GM Line Rat]

$130.00 shipped to my door Doc...another $24.00 for mount and balance at the local tire store.....$154.00 total.....you can get a shipping quote on the tire rack site by adding 4 tires to the shopping cart, the put in your zip. They have a few different S&H Options to choose from. UPS Delivered mine....2 tires are bundled together so you'll get 2 sets of 2 from the UPS Man.

[DOCTORBILL]

I suppose it is no big deal, but if you can get a response from Wal-Mart and
order the tires, their price out the door (here in Spokane, WA) is $141.

So you save ten bucks and don't have to carry tires around in your trunk.

But it is up to each indivual how its accomplished.

I have to go thru the Bullcrap with Discount Tire of getting quotes, go to Discount,
show them the lowest price - THEN they match it.....

I like Discount because they will repair a flat free - for any reason and they have
nationwide stores.

Six of one - half a dozen of the other. Tomayto - tomaahto...

What pisses me off is the hideous price differences one gets when calling around
to the Major tire dealers. For 4 x 13 inch tires for my son's Neon,
the price difference was from $204 to $378 mounted and balanced,
tax and goodbye.

Insane! These tire dealers are raping people - people who must have a lot
of "disposable income" or disposable brains !

My income is anything but.....

My brain was disposed of a long time ago by girlfriends, beer and cigars.

DoctorBill

[RossT]

I too have two metros with the kumho powerstar's from tirerack. I had sears install them. The even gave me the lifetime rotate and balance for one time total charge of $40. I really like these tires. Not to bad in the winter either. I do notice that my metro with the older set has some minor cracking on the sidewall. Tires are about 2 years old. They are just ok in snow. They are not noisy but you do pick up alot of road vibration with them. The tread patern is more of normal type than the old metric type.

[GM Line Rat]

Originally Posted by RossT

I too have two metros with the kumho powerstar's from tirerack. I had sears install them. The even gave me the lifetime rotate and balance for one time total charge of $40. I really like these tires. Not to bad in the winter either. I do notice that my metro with the older set has some minor cracking on the sidewall. Tires are about 2 years old. They are just ok in snow. They are not noisy but you do pick up alot of road vibration with them. The tread patern is more of normal type than the old metric type.

Haven't experienced any cracking on either set I've bought in the past. I've got about 32K miles on the set on my Metro right now and they are wearing good with me rotating them every 3RD Oil change (9K Miles).....Cant tell ya what their like in the Snow, that is Not an issue in the area where I live (South East)....we got exactly 1/2" of Snow 1 time last winter.....No road salt used here either!......

[DOCTORBILL]

I went to Discount Tire today, showed them the Wal-Mart invoice $141
printout and they sold me their $176 (OTD) set for $141 OTD.

Discount's invoice says lifetime tire fixing and rebalancing included in that price!

THAT is better than Wal-Mart's one time balancing. I don't know if Wal-Mart
would fix a flat for nothing like Discount does.

It was funny, though. The Discount clerk really pressed me to buy the $8 / tire
"insurance" wherein if ANYTHING goes wrong with the tire they'll replace it no
charge. I refused it.

I have NEVER had any tire go bad since I have been driving now for 45 years!

That tire insurance "deal" is crap as far as I'm concerned. Gravy for any tire
dealer who can convince folks to buy it.

For the 4 x $8 = $32 I can buy a new tire if one goes bad....HA!

Now for a front end alignment - $50 at Altons or Les Schwab.....

DoctorBill

[mostly_water]

I experienced the Wal-Mart tire controversy Dr. Bill. I havn't set foot in a Wal-Mart since, very frustrating experience.

I ended up with the Kumho Power Star 758's from tirerack, the set of four cost me $60 more than Wal-Mart's Douglas' (shipped and mounted). Sears wasn't an option for me, our local Sears auto center has an appauling reputation.

I like the Power Stars, they are slightly rougher than the GoodYears they replaced, but they seem to be a decent tire.

[Heavyarms]

I know how you guys feel i almost bought tires from there once only one company makes the tire for my rims (that are low profile). I left my car there for 3 hours ( I told them to call me if something was wrong) i come back and guess what my car is sitting outside with my old bald tires on i ask whats going on I get a lame excuess, Oh we couldnt put your tires on cuz their not factory size. I said bullshit theres a excurrsion withs 24 inch rims on it and you guys are putting his tires on right now. I was pissed trust me i was goin pay them like $450 for all 4 of them with out them putting them on not happenin. I went to Les Schwab got the same tires for only $290 and they put them on. I have to say Wal-Mart sucks end of story they will try to take you for every little thing you got when it comes to this.

[DOCTORBILL]

You know, it just depends on the individual store...on the "manager" running
that individual store.

Some stores suck and others are just fine....

Kinda like different marriages.

My first one sucked pond water.

My second one is sweet and nice as can be.....

DoctorBill