Big O Tires

Big O • Tire quality • Sales practices • Damage, errors • Auto service ---- • Sears Sells NTB to Big O Parent

Jesus of El Cavon CA (6/22/03):
I had an incident this morning with a so-called manager at the Big O at 844 N. Johnson Ave. I had a deal with the manager of this store to do brakes and 60,000-mile service on my 2000 Ranger. I found that he was not going to honor the deal -- he was not going to change the fuel filter as was stated on your ad.

When I asked the manager about it, he got angry at me and he told me to get out of the store, he was yelling and calling me names. I had to call the police because I felt for my safety; the manager was acting like a drugged gang member. A person like that has no business running a store.

LeRoy of Aurora CO (4/22/03):
The last time I had my 2001 Subaru Forester serviced was on November 8, 2002, at Big O Tire Store located at 1770 South Havana Street in Aurora CO. At that time, I had my tires and oil changed. Around Christmas, I noticed a noise problem when I accelerated.

I took my car into my dealer at Shortline Subaru Service department. I was informed that the problem was in the front differential axle and was caused by a lack of gear oil. The Subaru service department informed me there were no leaks from the differential plug or any other area. When they drained what was left in the differential there was only 6 to 8 ounces of oil. The service manager, Dave, stated someone drained the differential oil instead of the engine oil likely causing the problem. The Subaru service manager continued to tell me the reason this happened is because both plugs are near each other and could be mistaken one for the other if they didn’t know which was which. Once the person found they drained the wrong oil they should have checked the differential level and added more oil.

After finding out what the problem was I asked Del, the store manager from the Big O Tire store, to go with me to talk with the service technician and service manager, Dave, at Shortline Subaru. They explained to him that what caused the problem on our Forester. Del stated it was nothing his people had done wrong. I know that mistakes do happen and I truly believe this was one of them. Now I’m left with a bill for $3,200 for repair work from Shortline Subaru. I feel it’s only fair that Big O Tire pick up the repair bill for this problem.

LeRoy should sue the store in Small Claims Court if it does not pay voluntarily.

Francis of Danville CA (2/15/03):
On 5-25-02 I took my Ford 150 truck into Big O Tires for a brake problem. At the time I was told that my brakes were heating up and I needed to have my rotors turned. I had the rotors and the brakes inspected as they suggested. In addition, I had my tires aligned since I just got done buying 4 new Big Foot tires and an oil change. I paid $206.99 for all of this work to be done.

Everything seemed fine for about 4 months then the same problem with my brakes started happening again. On 9-25-02 I brought my Ford 150 truck back in and this time I was told that my brake rotors where warped and I need to replace the rotors. I had the rotors replaced and the brake system flushed per their recommendation. This cost me $461.04. Again everything seemed fine for about 5 months but now I have the same problem with my brakes. I brought my Ford F150 back to Big O Tires and they tell me that I need to replace the rotors that I just got done replacing in the front and I also need to replace the back ones as well. And they want to repack all of the wheel bearings.

I questioned the replacement of rotors with the assistant manager as well as the additional work that needs to be done and his respone to me is it was the way I drive my truck or maybe it is the wet weather. I asked if Big O Tires stands behind their work and I was told that Big O Tires only warranty their work for 90 days. I believe that the parts that Big O Tires put on my F-150 truck did not meet Ford's requirements or were refurbished parts. Now I will have to go to Ford to get the work done again.

Ronald of Bellflower CA (11/17/02):
On 9/24/02 I went to Big O tires for an alignment. On 9/25/02 I brought my car back because it was still pulling to the left, the mechanic switched the tires because the wheels are directional and they were installed incorrectly and they lost one of my wheel covers. They informed me that they would look for another one.

On 10/3/02 they found a wheel cover, I went in to pick it up, to my surprise they wanted to charge me $20 for switching my tires and $5 for the wheel cover. I informed Bob that the car is still pulling to the left and told him that I would go to another car shop and have it done for much cheaper than $69.99 and he can refund me $44.99 minus the $20 for switching my tires and $5 for the wheel cover. The manager Art was consulted and he said anyone can say it is still pulling to the left, so we went out for a test drive.

After driving the streets, he commented that if it drives straight for a hundred yards it is the best it can do, I said it changes lanes on the freeway by itself, so we went on the freeway. After driving on the freeway he saw for himself it was still pulling to the left. when we returned to the shop he asked if I wanted them to fix it, I said no thank you, I will take it to another shop.

After taking my car to another shop for an alignment, it was done correctly, it does not pull to the left anymore and I only paid $35.00.

Jeffrey of La Mesa CA (11/11/00):
May 15, 2000 - Big O Tires on 7589-A El Cajon Boulevard, La Mesa, CA 91941 changes the oil on our Toyota Corolla. On Friday, October 20, 2000, the oil drain plug fell out of our 1990 Toyota Corolla Wagon and the engine seized. I have now spent three weeks trying to resolve the problem with the store owners. During that whole time they have had possession of the car. Only now are they refusing to fix the problem. They are the last company to change the oil on this vehicle.

Our jobs each require that we have full time access to a car. For the passed three weeks Big O has had possesion of our car. Only today, 8:30am, Friday, November 11, 2000 did they deny the claim. By now we could have fixed the car!

Jeffrey should sue the company in Small Claims Court.