Tire Rack Rant

[Brett Dikeman]

At 8:48 PM -0400 7/31/03, Obin Olson wrote:

>also are you guys still buying from the tirerack.com for cheap
>tires?(I been away for list for like 3 years)

I won't do business with Tire Rack if I can avoid it.  I got tired of
arguing with them about what would fit my car.  Sample conversation:

TR:"How can I help you?"
Me:"Yes, I'd like to buy a set of Borbet Type Cs, 17x8.5, 5x112, ET
blah blah, silver painted."
TR:"What vehicle, sir?"
Me:"An Audi.  Anyway, do you have the wheels in stock?"
TR:"What MODEL, sir?"
Me:"Look, I know exactly what I'm looking for, I just want to know if
you have the specific size in stock."
TR:"We don't sell wheels that way.  That wheel has to be suitable for
your vehicle."
Me:"This exact wheel, in the exact specifications I just gave you, is
on a good friend's car identical to mine in every way right down to
suspension modifications, and it fits perfectly.  Now, do you have
the wheel in stock, or not?"
TR(copping a SERIOUS attitude now, practically yelling at me):"SIR,
there are OTHER considerations BESIDES whether it 'FITS'.  Load
rating, for example."
Me:"That wheel is spec'd for Mercedes models far heavier than my car,
and TUV approved."
TR:"I still CANNOT SELL YOU THE WHEEL"

So I (forcefully) hung up the phone, resolved to never do business
with such a bunch of blowhards, and looked elsewhere.  I've been
happily not doing business with them ever since, and when I've
checked their pricing/availability online for tires, they usually
haven't had what I was looking for.  Hakka Q's being one item that
comes to mind.

Tirerack's excuse would probably be that they don't want returns when
you find the wheel doesn't fit(or claim as much when you don't like
it)- that problem is easily solved by printing something to the
effect of "WHEEL SPECIFICATIONS CUSTOMER SELECTED- NO RETURNS EXCEPT
FOR SHIPPING DAMAGE OR DEFECT" on the invoice, and warning the
customer ahead of time as to such.

Oh, not to mention, by the time you get through with shipping,
mounting, balancing...it's the same cost as just getting a good deal
from a local small tire shop.

Brett
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"They that give up essential liberty to obtain temporary
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