yesterday I took my car in to a local place to get the Azenis removed, and OEM-Sized Potenza SO3s (ONLY $115 each, NEW!!) installed. My azenis are down to JUST ABOVE the wear bar. Maybe one track day left? I'm fixing to make a 2850- mile drive soon. Needed new tires.


I called a place doing their Grand Opening Sales Event! I asked for a price quote -

"$140"

WTF? I asked

"well.... that's $39.95 for the TPMS to 're-learn' the system...we hook it to a computer"

"Dude - don't try that crap with me. Really. You might fool SOME People..."

"No Sir - when you put new tires on you have to have the sensors re-learn the system or you'll get a warning light!"

"Funny - this will be the third set of tires on this car and nothing has ever been 're-learned'."

"Okay - we'll take that off...$105.xx"

"Thanks but no thanks."


I called the same franchise, but another store. After a phone call to a lady answering the phones, I was quoted $78.xx.

I got there and gave the guy at the counter my info.

That'll be "$115.xx"

"Dude - she just told me on the phone $78."

"These are special rims and tires! That size - we have to do special work with them!"

"Dude - REALLY..are you listening? I gave her the same info I gave you - she said $78."

"Look - you probably got these tires on the internet - for a GOOD deal right?"

None of your business, is it?

"Well, we have to assume LIABILITY for the tires - "

"NO you dont - you only assume liability for your INSTALL of the tires. Dont' TRY that crap man. Seriously."

"Well, these tires are special sized and it's $115."

"Why did you charge me $78 for putting the SAME brand, model and size on my Subaru?"

"Same tires, eh? Same size?"

"Yes. You did that for me in March."

"We didn't. Show me your receipt."

"Bull - look son - "

"I'll look it up on the puter - last name?"

There it was $78.34 sure as hell.

"Okay - well, I'll do that price again, but $12 for tire disposal"

"You didn't charge that last time."

"We should have"

"Okay - leave the tires, I'll take them with me. How long?"

"Two hours."

There were 4 cars at the place, including mine.

"Ya know what? I'll just go somewhere else."

"Well, we'll hustle and try for an hour - hour twenty?"

"Fine."

SO - got it done...tipped the actual installers $10 each, too...they washed my wheels and set the pressure to what I asked. etc..

Found a place in Tacoma that takes tires for $1.50 each. But - We're doing a garage sale this weekend. I'll place them out front with a "$20 for all four" sign.


So - Here's the challenge. Can ANYONE find ANY car's TPMS that has to be re-learned after a tire swap? Can anyone find the MACHINE that 're-learns' TPMSs?

 

Damn .... Luckly u know your stuff man ... That place is a ripoff ... Where is that place ?

 

Okay - I found this on TireIndustry.org

Implies SOME kars will need something done. However, not MY kar - yet they were willing to charge me anyway. I wonder if they're charging other RX8 owners for this?

 

Les Schwab?

 

Indeed. How'd ya guess?

 

Just sounds like them from past experiences of mine and friends. I think the 2 hour time estimate is what really tipped me off. I go to America's Tire now, won't go near a LS.

 

Uh, my dealership mounts and balances my tires for $25, for my azenis rt615s in 245.

 

But that's Nebraska $...In WA dollars, it's about $80.

btw - I'll be passing thru Omaha. 14 May, actually, about 5PM en route to St Joseph, MO for the night. It'll be near the end of a VERY log day, so I won't have time for a meet or anything; but maybe a quick photo op?

 

I like the car in your Sig

 

Which? :D

How you been, Dan? I hope I can see ya again before I go - any plans for a trip down (with 222s??? :D)

 

I'll be at NWRR on the 2nd of May...can bring you some

Might be down...you leaving on the 12...You do know It's a long way to Bama to come visit......

 

In Leavenworth? I really wanna stock up because, as you said..bama is a LONG way from Canada! Maybe I'll meet ya somewhere along the way - can't spend time at the Rally.

Hey! I'll be only a few hours from Atlanta. You can stay at my house and we can run Road Atlanta someday?

 

I'd love to do Road Atlanta......

I'll definitely work out something on the other front for you....

 

Sounds good! PM'ed!

 

Fly in - you can drive my car!

Awesome - replied. See my thread in the lounge re: my trip and times, etc...

https://www.rx8club.com/lounge-4/moving-wa-al-passing-thru-10-states-wanna-meet-up-143419/

 

Most of the big chains stores are rip-off artists. They up-sell the unsuspecting Joe Q. Dumas on everything - all while charging 50-100% more on their wheels, tires, and everything else. And it's like going to a car dealer the way each person starts out at the high end price & BS story.

Town Fair Tire is the local one that tried that crap. They price match, but most of the asshats that work there are more likely to let me walk out the door vs. getting the sale at a reasonable (ie - pricematched) cost. Tards. They wanted $260 per tire for the Dunlop WinterSport M3s. PER TIRE??!!! I laughed and told the guy they were $180 each on Tirerack and he said "that's a great price, you should get them there." Then I got them at another location & they pricematched what was in the tirerack book (which they keep behind the counter) price of $163. The manager was super pissed when he heard the other store let me walk w/o even mentioning the price match, as he apparently runs both locations.