The car manuals tell us we ought to buy tires every six years, even if the treads are good. When I was growing up, most people drove on their tires until they got a flat or a blowout. They felt fortunate just to have an automobile in the 40’s, when only about 10% of households owned a car. Things started changing in the 50’s, as more people owned cars, and traded them in every two or three years. But now, we’re keeping our cars an average of eight years, so more tires need to be replaced. Watch out for this tire scam, especially if you’re a senior woman:
One tire in our seven year old SUV started giving us problems. The manual, said we should buy new tires at six years. No matter what. Even if the treads look good. We decided to bite the bullet and invest in a new set. . Since my husband doesn’t hear well on the phone, I called a local dealer who’s always had a good reputation. They told me they needed the numbers on the old tires so they could replace them properly. Not an easy task for anyone with arthritic knees, but I did it.
When I called in with the information. the salesperson seemed extremely helpful and considerate. He asked how many miles we drive the vehicle each year. Since we no longer go South in the winter, I figured less than 1000. He responded that we didn’t need the top grade expensive tires. Recommended a less expensive brand, at a savings of $500 over replacing the current ones.. Sounded good to me, so he agreed to order the tires and call me when they came in. A week later, when I hadn’t heard back, I called and talked with another person who said they had received them. . I picked up a book to read for the hour it would take while they put on the new tires.
When I went to pay the bill and get the keys to my car, the smiling person at the counter presented me with a bill for almost $1,000.
“But,” I said, “the person I talked to said the tires would only cost $555.”
He scratched his head . “This is what he ordered for you,”
I put my credit card back in my pocket. “No way am I paying twice what was quoted to me.”
“I’m sorry,” the guy replied. “I’m not the one who ordered them. I just gave you what he put in the computer.”
“But what about this other brand he told me about?” I asked.
He frowned. “I have them in stock, if that’s what you want.”
“So, I’ll have to wait another hour while you put on the tires I thought I was buying?”
He nodded in sympathy. “Fraid so.”
It was now lunch time, and I was hungry. But not hungry enough to be cheated out of $500. I waited another hour while they removed the expensive tires and put on the ones I had ordered.
On the way home, I ruminated about the entire transaction. Did they think a senior woman would not remember the price they quoted over the phone? And wasn’t it strange that they had the cheaper brand in stock when I refused to buy the more expensive ones? Had they given me a low quote just to get me into the place? It was disappointing, since the store had always had a good reputation . Then I remembered. It had been sold to a franchise dealership the year before. Perhaps the new management needed to improve their bottom line. But not at my expense, thank you.
It’s pretty easy to buy new tires. There are tons of stores all over town. However, not all tires are the same and prices vary widely. And seniors are often targeted for scams. Be careful what you pay for, and watch out for this tire scam.