Ha! so check this out... Wrong size tires

[mahabali]

So last week I found some wheels and tires on ebay.

18" Rockstars with 305-60-18 Nitto Terra Grapplers... The wheels were almost perfect and the tires had less than 1k miles on them. After going back and forth for a while I ended up getting them for $900 shipped.

I thought that was a pretty good deal considering that this combo new would cost at least $1500 plus shipping.

So they finally show up today after all kinds of hassles with the shipping company (that is a whole other story)...

So I had to run home and meet the guy from the shipping company today. When he started unloading them from the truck I instantly knew something was wrong... The tires were HUGE!!!!

I looked and they are 355-65-18s!!! So I am thinking WTF?? Am I re****ed? Did I read the auction wrong? I'm sure I didnt... So I went back and looked and yes I am not re****ed... The auction says 305-60-18

That is a 32.4"x12" tire... These are 36.5" tires!!!!

So I had no choice but to accept the delivery... I bought them from an individual not a company...The seller already has my $, The shipping company wont ship them back without being paid again... (They cost $250 to ship!)

So ya... This sucks... I contacted the seller, waiting to hear back. Here is a pic from the auction.

 

[sheik]

Obviously the fault of the seller if what you say is true. Did you pay with PayPal? Document everything. Photograph the tires plainly showing the size.

Worse comes to worse file a dispute and it should go your way.

 

[K.C.]

Why did you sign for them if they were wrong?

• See if the seller will work w/ you?
• See if Ebay will work w/ you?
• See if Paypal will work w/ you? if you used that type of payment.

 

[mahabali]

Yes I did pay with Paypal. Waiting to hear back from the seller before I file a dispute. Seller has 100% positive feedback so I am hoping we can figure something out. He had the size listed in the auction TWICE at 305-60-18... I was REALLY suprised when these monsters showed up!

On a positive note they ARE in excellent condition and the MONSTER tires even still have the nubs.

 

[Maz]

There is some good news. At Performance Plus the 355/65/18's are $291. each, and the 305-60-18's are $207. While it's probably not much consolation, the price you paid is an even better deal than you bargained for.

This is just a shot in the dark, but since there is a $80. or so price difference in your favor...maybe you can find a local tire company who carries Nitto and would do a trade?? Just a thought but even if you had to pay a little out of pocket for the trade and / or for mounting, that's still better than where you are now. If nothing else maybe you could pull off the trade and get the seller to refund anything you were out for the switch??

Good luck!

 

[simple]

I have bad news concerning paypal. I've only had 2 disputes and both times were decided in my favor. However, each time paypal wanted proof that I had shipped the item back before they issued me my refund, so I'm pretty sure you'll have to ship them back.

Good luck buddy. But Paypal takes FOREVER to decide on these kind of things.

 

[mahabali]

Yeah I have gone thru some Paypal disputes as well... Hoping I can come to some kind of agreement with the seller... I guess I will see if he wants to pay $250 to ship them back or give me a partial refund??

I think I would have to take 2 trips to ship these or have the tires taken off of the wheels! They are so huge I dont think I can fit more than 2 in my Runner at a time!

Worst case I guess I can throw them on Craigslist and Hopefully make my $ back. But its still pretty damn inconvenient. The idea about a trade with a tire shop is good too if I can find one willing to trade. I wonder how much I could get for just the tires on craigslist?

 

[BamBam]

Yes, paypal requires a shipping tracking number and proof of delivery to find in your favor. Best thing to do is refuse delivery. Since you're past that point I'd try Craigslisting them locally for what you paid (or 20 or 30 more) and see if somebody bites quickly. If so, then tell the guy never mind and leave him awful feedback. At least you won't be out anything.

Or..... try the trade at a shop like the other person mentioned. Some shops are cool and will let you put up an ad or will tell anybody that comes in looking for that size that you have them. They know they'll get paid for mounting them up and that you'll buy something different from them. Performance shops and local tire shops are your best bet. You won't get that kind of treatment from a chain most likely.

A last option is a used vehicle lot. Specifically one that focuses on 4x4's. They may buy them for what you have into them because they know that nice wheels and tires like that will bump the value on the vehicle they are selling. One dealership buy me does nothing but buy crap at the auctions, stick expensive wheels on them and mark them up exponentially. This place does massive business too. Something about wheels makes some people stop noticing the rest of the vehicle!

 

[Bangers Runner]

did you not see a picture of the wheels and tires before you bought them? could you not tell how huge the tires were?

 

[Maz]

I'm no expert on tires or wheels but I've spent a lifetime negotiating, and the key is to put yourself in the position where you've given the other side a motivating reason to say yes. In many, if not most, negotiations you can manipulate the situation to where the choice that best fits your needs is the one that motivates the other side.

In this case I'm betting the least attractive thing is for the E-Bay seller to take the items back by paying for the shipping, only to have to sell an item already out of his or her inventory. The most attractive thing is for him or her to give away most or all profit in order for this situation to go away. On the other side your best bet is to come up with a way to keep the wheels you wanted, and find a way to change the tires to a size you can use.

To that end you offer the seller no negative feedback on the premise he or she made an honest mistake (which is almost certainly the case here). This is return for the seller to make you whole on any loss for keeping the rims, and swapping out the tires either by selling or trading them.

1. You have to put out some time and effort for the sale / swap

2. The seller has to put out some money so you're not upside down

3. You both agree to let bygones be bygones and move on

I believe that a good compromise, and if the seller doesn't agree he or she is not a very good business person. My bet is he or she will jump at the offer, and you'll end up with some fabulous rims and NEW tires.

 

[DesmoST4]

Kind of a hassle but maybe he can refund you the cash and re-list on eBay with you shipping them out once sold. You just store the tires until then and assist with shipping. Might want to ask if its something you are willing to do and the seller agrees. That way you don't have to ship them back.

 

[mahabali]

did you not see a picture of the wheels and tires before you bought them? could you not tell how huge the tires were?

I did see the same pic that is in my first post... In hindsight they look big in that pic now but I had no reason to think that they werent the size stated in the description.

Thanks for all the input guys. Ill let you know how it turns out.

 

[12guns]

Another option is to call the seller. You can find their # through ebay. Ask them if they will refund you half the shipping cost and let you keep the tires. Then sell them yourself online or at a tire shop. If the seller isn't willing to do that, leave neg feedback. sellers HATE that. Then keep the tires and sell them yourself. You should be able to move them for what you have in them. Good luck!

 

[mdaaboul313]

what i dont understand is why leave negative feedback or why return them...? to me it seems like you got a one up on the deal...yea he bought tires that wont fit on his 4runner but he can sell the tires for a decent price since there new still and the nipples are still on them and get something that will fit....if you do it right you can still come out on top