Re: ...And NTB

[Lee Levitt <wheelman@shore.net>]

Robert Houk - WorkGroup Server Firmware <Robert.Houk@East.Sun.COM> wrote:
>Subject: Re: 5KCSTQ: 'Unshakable' Steering Wheel Shimmy --And NTB
>
>   <<NTB is the worst bunch of a**holes I have ever encountered.  Not only
are
>   they genuinely clueless when it comes to cars -- and tires, but they're
rude
>   and they treat
>   customers like dogsh*t>>
>
>	   Let's just say that your opinion of them is MUCH better than mine.
I'd get
>   kicked off the list for expressing it....  BTW, they seem to have
gotten much
>   worse after being purchased by Sears.  The former "NTW" was not as bad
IME.
>
>I suspect it depends on lot on the individual dealership.

Many years ago I had good luck with the NTB in Natick. But then they took
all the mechanics who had a clue and shipped them to new shops in the area.
I haven't figured out where they went...but I did find a bunch of more
clueless ones...

- mounting directional tires backwards
- wildly overtorqueing lugnuts, despite having been asked not to
- 4 hour tire/alignment times, despite being promised in and out in 1.5
- leaving car outside for a *long* time, with keys in ignition, all windows
down, in the rain

Needless to say I don't go there anymore.

Now I frequent Direct Tire...but explicitly tell them what to do and
decline all offers of additional work - tie rod ends, Bilstein shock
replacement at 60K, bushings, etc. DT has a habit of *finding* a *lot* of
extra work to do...and when a customer's car is up on a lift, they're
likely to authorize it. In each instance, I've taken my car to my private
mechanic, who confirmed that they were wildly overstating the need for the
repair. Once, just once, I really did need the brake pads that they
recommended...

Lee