Speaking of replacing tires, we took my wife's G35 coupe to our local Goodyear dealer to have rear snow tires installed. The service manager said that as of this year by federal regulation they can't install snow tires just on the rear - they have to install snows on all four corners.
I'd LOVE to know what 'federal regulation he was referring to. Did he tell you this near the end of the month?
I ask because I just had a 'tire issue' with Discount Tire in Lancaster OH a couple of months ago. To make a long story short, we live in SE Arizona. I've dealt with Discount Tire for better than two decades here. Never had a problem. Well, last October we in OH visiting my folks in Canal Winchester. My folks also assist my (step)sister who is disabled and cannot work. Anyways, we had to get my sister's van back on the road and after some front end repairs, I checked the tires closely and they were all 10+ years old and starting to crack. My dad normally does ALL his tire dealing with Sam's
Club, but after some discussion I convinced him to try Discount Tire (in Lancaster OH). I got on the computer and did some research for tires, and decided on a set of 4 nice Kelly-Springfield tires for $65 each. I called the Lancaster OH Discount Tire and talked to a nice service guy who said they had the tires in stock and we could get them installed right away if we showed up soon.
We drove about 13 miles to DT, and when we go there, I asked for the rep who I talked to on the phone regarding the 4 tires we wanted to have put on the van. That guy was busy, but the "assistant manager" (maybe he was the manager, I don't remember) said he'd help us. I told him we wanted the four K-S tires. He went out and looked at the van and came back in and immediately attempted to 'upgrade' the tires to a more expensive model (would have cost my 86 yr old dad an extra $150). I said, "No thanks, we would really just like to have the 4 K-S tires installed.." I went on to explain that my folks are paying for the tires, so they don't need the upgrades, and that my sister, who is disabled, doesn't drive that fast or far. He went off into some 'safety spiel' bout how the tires would only be 'adequate' and that they might not be as safe (under "federal regulation", his words, not mine) as the more expensive tires.
I rebuffed him again, smiling, of course, and my dad added "why would you sell tires that are UNSAFE?"...he stammerd a bit and said that while the tires were 'safe', he tried to point out the tires would ride 'bad' and not provide as good traction. I pointed out to him that according to their OWN website, the tires were a 'great value', provide good traction and long life (50,000 mile tread life). The reviews people had were all positive as well. Well, he tried ONE MORE TIME with "Well, please hear me out..." at which point I interruped him, SMILING of course, and said "Look, I did a lot of convincing to get my dad to come here, because I've dealt whth Discount Tire where I live in AZ for over 20 years. DO YOU WANT OUR BUSINESS OR NOT?" Well with that he said "Whatever you want". I said thank you and he said come back in a hour to pick up the VAN.
We went to dinner and came back and the tires were mounted, balanced and done. We started to settle the bill and I guess to add "insult to injury" I said, "Oh by the way, my dad is a WWIII Veteran...do you have a discount?" He looked a bit red-faced as he deducted an additional
10% off the bill. My dad was smiling all the while and we went out and got in that van and drove it back to parents' home and those tires are GREAT. My sister had been driving on them since then and she has no complaints either.
Moral of the story: Even with a place you trust, BEWARE. Especially near the end of the month (they do EVERYTHING to BOOST sales or revenue).
So anyways, sorry for the long story - again, I'd like to know what 'federal regulation' was being referenced to get you to put two additional tires on your car....
