Discount Tire won't rotate cause of wheel spacers? What the hell.....

[jsmarine]

I feel like I kind of started this so I thought I would post again.

I agree with you Brian, in all your rants and ways! Truly I do!

But we don't get to make the rules unfortunately, its all the other people you are ranting and pissed at that make the rules, or at least the precedence. Therefore if I were a big company like discount Tire/ Americas Tire, I would worry about getting sued. So then, I must have some rules and policies in place to reduce my risk of being sued. And one of those rules is wheel spacers/ adapters. And since most of their business (probably 90% or better) is just replacing tires, stock tires that is; nothing fancy, over-sized or whatever, by not performing service for those with spacers reduces their risk, and it doesn't hurt their business enough either to matter (if it did, they would perform service on those vehicles)

 

[BamBam]

BamBam, no it's not the fall of western civilization, but the fear of getting sued in this country is out of control and really dictates the way we live nowadays - and it sucks. Maybe you are too young to remember I don't know, but far more people used to take responsibility for their own actions in this country and didn't try to search for a fall guy when it was their own damn fault. I say this because spacers are perfectly safe when they are installed correctly.

I'm not too young to remember..... this has been an overly litigious society for far longer than just recently. I can remember stupid lawsuit after stupid lawsuit in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. It's not new. I think the media makes a bigger deal out of it and people think that everything is done out of fear of getting sued. I understand the whole concept and left the law career because it was just not enjoyable.

I was just wondering if there was a specific example that justified the explanation that Discount was doing this for legal reasons. It's quite possible that the guy at the store was just a ****. That's all I was saying in my overly sarcastic tone.

I also think that somebody else would be willing to do it and would be glad to have the business. I find that more and more big businesses don't go out of their way due to it cutting into their time/efficiency and ultimately profit. The "we're gonna get sued!" is a common cry of excuse, but to me it seems that just laziness and disregard for the customer is more often than not the reasoning.

I have been going through a mess with my physician's office lately where they flat out refuse to help me with some paperwork. They keep citing "policy" and ultimately what it boils down to is that their policy is in place to prevent their workers from spending an extra minute of their day doing something that doesn't turn a profit. It isn't about fear of being sued, because the things I'm asking for help on don't put them in a position to be sued in any way, shape, or form. That is what people say a lot "Oh... they are afraid of malpractice suits", but that is their convenient excuse. It is profit, profit, profit, and it comes at the expense of customer service.

Discount tire lost my business years ago when they said (and I quote) "We LEGALLY can NOT let you drive out of here with your tire in that condition sir. It is against the LAW." That is a lie. There is not one law on the books that prevents a tire store from preventing a customer from leaving a business of their own free volition because they are due for a new set of tires and are shopping around.

Sure I took 15 minutes to get to my point (and probably still didn't). I am on you guy's side. I really am. I just think that we've all bought into the fear of being sued being the motivating factor for the actions of many companies, when I feel that they could give a rat's ass about legal issues. They just want to make as much money as humanly possible with as little work and expenditure on their part as needed.

 

[TC4Rnr]

on the other hand, I wouldn't let anybody else rotate my tires. I rotate them at every oil change, 5000 miles. rims are hand seated and tightened with a proper torque wrench. air impact is a NO NO. also, that's the time I check on the brakes, ball joints, etc.

 

[brian2sun]

Therefore if I were a big company like discount Tire/ Americas Tire, I would worry about getting sued. So then, I must have some rules and policies in place to reduce my risk of being sued. And one of those rules is wheel spacers/ adapters. And since most of their business (probably 90% or better) is just replacing tires, stock tires that is; nothing fancy, over-sized or whatever, by not performing service for those with spacers reduces their risk, and it doesn't hurt their business enough either to matter (if it did, they would perform service on those vehicles)

I do see your point and can agree, although I think there are ways to reduce risk which would protect the company and the customers even better. Like hiring qualified people and giving them quality training because we've all seen some of the "upstanding citizens" working at the local tire shop. hehe.

 

[brian2sun]

"..."

I can't argue with that BamBam. Many times it is laziness and poor customer service. In the case of Discount Tire, who knows if it's legal, that particular manager, or corporate BS, but either way it's lame. IMO, The best way to keep America a great country is to support the small biz and your community! OP, I say take it to a local shop and they will be happy to have you as a customer and will probably bend over backwards to keep your biz.

 

[jsmarine]

Yep youre right, more qualified people would be an improvement, but more qualified people and better training means bigger salaries for those people. Then they would have to change the name from Discount Tire to Expensive Tire!

 

[jsmarine]

I buy all of my tires off Craigslist and have them mounted by a local shop, usually for free as I offer them my old tires for the mounting fee. They can resell my old tires for more than what it costs to mount and balance mine.

These are the kind of tire shops that were once an old gas station on the wrong side of town.

 

[brian2sun]

Then they would have to change the name from Discount Tire to Expensive Tire!

Haha!

 

[004Gunner]

Are there quite a few long term studies about the wheel spacer epidemic and a massive amount of lawsuits because of it? I haven't seen any cases of it, and am hard pressed to find how people are making such a huge leap and connecting swimming pool accidents, gun deaths, and other things to a company refusing to do free tire rotations on modified vehicles. I guess I don't see the connection, but others are making quite a case here based on what exactly? A perceived threat to our right to space our wheels without having to pay for tire rotations? I'd hardly see that as a sign of the apocalypse or downfall of western civilization.

No, you obviously missed the point. Brian2sun said it right with the overwhelming fear of lawsuits. I disagree that Discount Tire has a "no wheel spacers" policy on account of laziness as it requires no additional time with wheel spacers. Most of these policies in place restrict services to those with unmodified vehicles citing safety as the reason. Safety may or may not be a valid excuse, but liability almost always is, which translates to lawsuits in this society. The first article I linked to was to validate that claim, the second was to demonstrate how a society can come to irrational conclusions about perceived safety threats. No big leaps were made and no mention of a western civilization downfall. And I agree that avoiding these "chain businesses" is the best solution.

 

[drmorbius]

No, you obviously missed the point. Brian2sun said it right with the overwhelming fear of lawsuits. I disagree that Discount Tire has a "no wheel spacers" policy on account of laziness as it requires no additional time with wheel spacers. Most of these policies in place restrict services to those with unmodified vehicles citing safety as the reason. Safety may or may not be a valid excuse, but liability almost always is, which translates to lawsuits in this society. The first article I linked to was to validate that claim, the second was to demonstrate how a society can come to irrational conclusions about perceived safety threats. No big leaps were made and no mention of a western civilization downfall. And I agree that avoiding these "chain businesses" is the best solution.

Found this under "Frequently Asked Questions" on the Spidertrax sight.....Wheel spacers and adapters fall in a gray area under current legislation as the Department of Transportation (DOT) does not regulate this type of product. No existing federal law says wheel spacers and adapters are illegal for on-road use, however local inspection offices do have the authority to say otherwise.

In either case, due to the nature of products that we sell, all products Spidertrax Off-Road designs and manufactures are intended for off-road use only.

 

[brian2sun]

No, you obviously missed the point. Brian2sun said it right with the overwhelming fear of lawsuits. I disagree that Discount Tire has a "no wheel spacers" policy on account of laziness as it requires no additional time with wheel spacers. Most of these policies in place restrict services to those with unmodified vehicles citing safety as the reason. Safety may or may not be a valid excuse, but liability almost always is, which translates to lawsuits in this society. The first article I linked to was to validate that claim, the second was to demonstrate how a society can come to irrational conclusions about perceived safety threats. No big leaps were made and no mention of a western civilization downfall. And I agree that avoiding these "chain businesses" is the best solution.

:thumb3:

In either case, due to the nature of products that we sell, all products Spidertrax Off-Road designs and manufactures are intended for off-road use only.

Just a thought, but off road driving puts a lot more stress on the spacers than driving on road and you have an even greater chance of them failing on the trails. If you kill yourself on the dirt, the liability thing is still an issue.

 

[drmorbius]

:thumb3:



Just a thought, but off road driving puts a lot more stress on the spacers than driving on road and you have an even greater chance of them failing on the trails. If you kill yourself on the dirt, the liability thing is still an issue.

Yes but you probably won't cross two lanes of traffic and take out a soccer mom and her team in a head on!

 

[004Gunner]

In either case, due to the nature of products that we sell, all products Spidertrax Off-Road designs and manufactures are intended for off-road use only.

That seems to be a trend amongst aftermarket manufacturers. When you can't get iron clad approval, default to classifying the product for off-road use only.

 

[leftyguns21]

i am about to finally pull the trigger and buy new tires. i already called my discount tire and they said they would work on my car even though i have the wheel spacers. so it must be the manager at one particular shop that has the issue. when i go in tonight i will make sure i wont have issues with future rotations though just to be safe.
Big-O tires says they have zero isssues with trucks running spacers, as they work on them all the time.

 

[chaz]

it is written law in some states, others its a grey area. not that anyone cares but heres a link, scroll to the posted UTAH law. Please help me choose a quality wheel spacer, - Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation

 

[brian2sun]

I didn't know anything was legal in Utah anymore, except polygamy...

Oh wait nevermind, that's illegal there too. :naughty:

 

[leftyguns21]

i talked to the manager last night at my local Discount, and he said yes on paper they are not suppose to..but if you build a relationship with them at the shop and its a 'legit' set of spacers they have no issues working on your car. i asked if i will have an issue on future rotations and he said not to worry about it just come to the same shop and have the same guy do it.

we will find out tonight when they attempt to mount the new tires how much truth is in this.

 

[TC4Rnr]

I really don't understand what is the big deal for the OP. take your business somewhere else. Costco doesn't install any tires other than stock size. you don't tell how DT run their business just like your neighbor doesn't tell you how to raise your children.

 

[BamBam]

I didn't know anything was legal in Utah anymore, except polygamy...

Oh wait nevermind, that's illegal there too. :naughty:

D'oh. Not polygamy smack! :crybaby:

Utah is actually pretty good when it comes to laws that are geared towards motorheads (no pun intended). There is an extremely large off-roading lobby and they are pushing all the time for stuff that benefits off-roaders. Many cities let you drive ATV's right through town now.

The laws seem pretty lax at least when it comes to enforcement for things like lifts and such. The only time you run into trouble is when dealing with a bozo that is afraid you are working for the DMV and wanting them to let you slide on an inspection. That happened to me once on window tint. It was ridiculous. The guy at the place asked me why I took it off when I went back and I said his brother made me. He was pretty po'ed at him because I go there for all maintenance on my vehicles. I think he thought his stupid brother had cost him a customer because I was like 2% over the tint limit. I had never been stopped and had passed inspection every year 6 years running before he got snippy with the light meter.

 

[brian2sun]

That's cool that they are normally lax about off road type stuff. With Moab and all the sick land out there, they should be! I love camping in Utah, but the only thing I didn't like was searching for a place that sold beer. One of the most beautiful states in the Union!