Priority Tire eBay store - bait and switch

[little_joe]

I'd been looking for the Firestone Destination XT in 255/75r17 recently, just missed some great New Year's sales. I ran across a set of 4 on eBay from Priority Tire:

On Thursday, Jan 21, I bought 4 XT's from Priority Tire's eBay store. They were listed at $653.99, free shipping, NC sales tax ($47.41) put the total at $701.40. Got the Confirmed Order email from eBay/Priority.

Later the same day, Jan 21, I received an email that my order was shipping and due to arrive Tues Jan 26. This email included a tracking number for FedEx.

The next day, Fri Jan 22, I received an email and a phone call from Priority Tire that they were not shipping the tires:

"Hello,

We are reaching out to you regarding the order that you have placed with us for 4 Firestone Destination X/T, 255/75R17, 111T, C (6 Ply) tire(s).

Unfortunately, our warehouse notified us that the tire(s) did not go through our pre-shipping safety inspection.

We wanted to contact you, to of course try to resolve this issue for you as soon as possible, by offering a refund for the order, or replacements of a different brand or model.

Please advise on how you would like to proceed?

Thank you for working with us.
Amy R
Customer Service Representative"

I called them right away to discuss. The fellow I spoke with on the phone said the tires failed their pre-shipment inspection. He stated they had no more in stock, but they would be happy to apply my payment to another set of tires.

I asked him to keep my order open and ship the tires when they were restocked. He stated this was not possible. I asked why, and he stated this is not how their system works. I was politely adamant about getting the tires I ordered at the price I paid, and he was just as adamant this was not an option. He did offer again to apply my payment to another set of tires, or to refund me.

Knowing these tires in this size generally retail for $830-$860, I asked: Are you not shipping them because someone listed them at the wrong price? He stated no, they were not shipping because the tires - all 4 of them! - failed their pre-shipment inspection.

We went back and forth a bit about shipping them when restocked, he said they get over 2000 tires a week into their warehouse, tracking etc would be impossible. He suggested refunding me, then I could re-buy them when in stock. Checking their website while on the phone, they had them listed at $863 for 4. I told him no thanks.

I then stated, I bet you're not shipping because someone screwed up on price. He said, "Are you calling me a liar? That's not how we do business." Then went on to offer me another tire, same size, using my payment.

The call got a bit contentious, but when it became clear this was a bait and switch, I told him to refund me. He really wanted me to just get another tire, but I refused. So then we had to argue about getting a refund.

Allegedly I am to get my refund this coming week. I did use PayPal and I'm not worried about getting scammed out of my money, but just find this whole thing a bait and switch scam.

(After this, I did more research on Priority and found: 1 - they've had troubles shipping full orders for several people and blame the carriers for losing tires (lol) 2 - they seem to ship a lot of old date code tires, esp to the sports car crowd.)

Screw Priority Tire.

 

[LandCruiser]

The best way of telling if someone is lying to you is when they say “are you calling me a liar?”

 

[eddielasvegas]

Thanks for the heads up on PT. They are azzhats and IMHO, you are right given the tires are listed at the higher price.

I would asked them "What is your safety inspection?" and to explain exactly how all four tires failed your safety inspection.

In cases like these (and mechanical failures delaying a plane), we are at their mercy for the truth (and corporate America, as we all know, is the bastion of honesty) and not much we can do except take our business elsewhere.

Good luck,

Eddie

 

[T1RKaZz]

That blows man, I've bought two sets of tires from PT. A set of Cooper st maxx($613) for the 4runner and a set of Pirelli p7 summers($322) for my other vehicle. I have had no issues with PT and got some pretty good deals with fast shipping. I ha e always bought direct from thier site though.

That said I 100% expected to have issues because of the price but it's worth the gamble. Some times you gotta take the hit and go to a factory dealer. I'm pretty sure PT is the Ross of tire shops and that's why they always have wierd ass stock or seem to not know what is in stock.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[little_joe]

Priority Tire did issue my refund today.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I have bought many many tires from Tire Rack over the past 15 years or so and had them sent to a local installer.

No hassle, good prices and selection, great information/customer reviews section I cant recommend them more.

I even drove past the place a few times. You can see their test track from he highway.

Ebay. I cant say the same thing about that organization.

 

[little_joe]

I have bought many many tires from Tire Rack over the past 15 years or so and had them sent to a local installer.

No hassle, good prices and selection, great information/customer reviews section I cant recommend them more.

I even drove past the place a few times. You can see their test track from he highway.

Ebay. I cant say the same thing about that organization.

I've been buying all of my tires from Discount Tire (local shop is awesome!) or Tire Rack - agreed, can't go wrong with either of them. I'll stick with them.

I also see Priority Tire loves to ship years-old tires - like 4, 5 years old.

 

[alexa0ne]

The best way of telling if someone is lying to you is when they say “are you calling me a liar?”

Straight to the point. :cheers:

You should have talked to his manager. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[auspilot]

Thanks for taking the time to write it up. Always good to know someone's real experience.

I also have a good local Discount Tire shop I use. Place runs like clockwork. Ant they will price match with no hassle, at least for places like Walmart and Pep Boys.

 

[Nedion]

Unpleasant situations can actually happen one way or another. As already mentioned here it is easier to have one proven store (or dealer) and order only there. I have the same problem with spare parts for my Yamaha. My motorcycle is already an old man)) I usually order parts through the Sumorubber website. So far, I have not had any quality or delivery issues. Sometimes I see attractively priced private listings but I always stop myself.

 

[Houlnee]

I think that the tire seller wrote you all this to raise their rating on ebay and maybe it turns out that your tire is not really defective. You think they are trying for you, but in fact they need your positive feedback to improve their rating on ebay, the usual psychology. I am familiar with these schemes, as I myself sell various goods on ebay. And when you don't get positive reviews your account can be banned. However, I'm not worried because now you can just buy an ebay stealth account and then work on the rating and sell the goods.