Another opportunity for a rant. Any takers?

[Lee Levitt]

Douglas Frank <frank at zk3.dec.com> writes:

> Anyway TireRack has a search service for finding mount-and-balance
> wrenches in your area, thankyouverymuch.  I was just about to send
> them email asking how shops' names get into their database, but
> decided to actually see who they'd recommend, first.
>
> Out of 7 recommendations near my town, 3 were for VIP.  I think that
> answers the question!
>
> So now I'll ask you northern New England guys, and apologize for the
> WOB to the rest of you (and you can rant about that too, if you'd
> prefer).
>
> In southern NH/northern MA, where should I take my new Potenzas?
>

and  "Bill Rowe" <rowe at yankeeprinter.com> responds:

>
> NTB (Nat'l Tire and Battery, a division of Sears) in Portsmouth
>

Oh, god no. Don't go there. Maybe they hire college graduates for that
particular branch, but in my experience, the wrenches at NTB don't know
which end of a wrench to sit on.

They couldn't get a locking wheel cap off one of my cars. I had to do it for
them. They couldn't figure out which direction to mount directional tires. I
pointed out that they were directional before they mounted them, and then
had to point out their error after they were done. They consistently scratch
and damage alloy wheels. They leave cars outside, with the keys in the
ignition, with the window open, in the rain.

And I won't mention my friend's Volvo they dropped off a lift.

Tire Rack has relationships with a couple of good shops in New England,
including the Little Foreign Car Garage in Waltham, and Direct Tire. I don't
have any first hand experience with the first, but the proprietor has asked
me to join him at New Hampshire International on the days he rents the
track, so I think he's probably a good guy :)

I do most of my tire work at Direct Tire, and while they're expensive,
they've taken good care of me. Go to Watertown and ask for Joe. 617
923-1800.

HTH,

Lee
'95.5 S6 avant
'96 A6 quattro avant