So, I thought I'd share my story.

I decided to go to Firestone to get a lifetime balance for $60 as opposed to having my Lexus dealer perform the service each time @ $40. So, I get there and tell the cashier I'm in interested in a BALANCE ONLY (because I have the 18" staggered wheels). Once they are done and I'm headed toward my car to leave, I noticed the rear tire looks weird Then I think to myself that I don't recall the rear tires having that extended sidewall for rim protection, so I go and look at the front and the dang rear tires are up front!!! So I go tell the service manager and he has this look on his face that just says "idiot" lol. The tech walks with me outside and started by saying to me that the tires are the same size in diameter, which is true. So I tell him well the front tires are 225 and the rear are 255. So he just mounts the tires in their correct position and I'm off...My Lexus service advisor is going to get a kick out of this.

I was only trying to save a few bucks and look what happened. I wonder what would have happened with the ride if I just drove off???

 

(ten char...)

 

wow... good thing you checked. very disappointing to hear from a tire servicing shop like firestone...

 

You know, when you go to a place like this you think its going to be ok...Firestone. Then you have to think who works there. Experience level/attentiveness/knowledge/amount of work. ALL this is factored into the job It's not right!

 

Yeah, I was like 'it's Firestone, they specialize with tires and such'

My plan was to just do all of my fluid and engine service at the dealership and just let Firestone be the place to go for my alignments/balance/tire sets...I'm still going to do it this way but I will just have to keep a close eye on things.

 

thats how big name tire stores are. go to little performance shops, they do a way better job, but might cost more.

 

How much is "getting it done right, the first time" worth?

Yeah, I'm going to the dealership for repairs, and the specialized local shops for maintenance work I can't really do or prefer a professional take care of. Alignments and balancing I can't really do, so I'll use a local shop. I recently found out Tirerack has a listing and ranking of local shops (thanks Sango for pointing that out!). Maybe you can check out their list to find a good place?

 

To add a little bit to my post, it feels like the guys who work at the local stores are doing it because they love working on cars. They've got a passion for it. The people who work at the national chains are there because it's a job.

(Just my opinion from my personal observations and experiences. There are always exceptions)

 

^^What he said.

 

Don't be too hard on Firestone - lots of Lexus dealers have done this also! After all, they can charge more for a ROTATE and balance than just a balance alone!

 

I never had a problem with Firestone. My buddy runs a Firestone near me and he gives me discounts on all work and does a great job every time. Never had an issue! Every repair shop makes mistakes, at least yours wasn't as bad as mine - Discount/America's tire "FORGOT" to tighten 2 of my lug nuts once when i got a balance/rotate.