Big O Tires

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

Big O, with about 450 stores in 19 states, is part of TBC Corp., which calls itself the "industry's premier private brand tire marketer." We're not sure what that means but it sounds like Big O sells private-label tires at what are supposedly bargain prices.

TBC's latest acquisition is National Tire and Battery, which Sears unloaded after running it into the ground. Other brands include Carroll Tire Co., with a network of 5,000 retailers in the Southeast; Tire Kingdom, with 150 stores in the Southeast; Northern States Tire, a wholesaler in the Northeast; TBC de Mexico; and Superior Tire, a Las Vegas-area retailer.

Some recent complaints ...

Dale of San Jose, CA June 30, 2009

I took my sisters car in for tires to the San Jose Parkmoor store which turned into tires and struts, we did not deny that the struts likely needed to be changed at 100K.... we agreed to the added work. We we went to pick up the car and they only had one new strut in front as per the store "they shipped the wrong strut for the right side" Why weren't we called before you installed just one new strut, struts and shocks are Always changed in pairs and always balanced on passenger cars.

he suggested getting a different strut for the missing one (at added cost to us of course) which would be of different type and therefore different suspension ride making the car unsafe and causing uneven tire wear. I find it absurd that the owner of the store (Emad) would even suggest something that might lead to vehicle handling or possible accident, nor why he did NOT call us before installing one strut and thinking that would be OK for us to wait or refund the difference.....

Caitlin of New Castle, CO June 23, 2009

I have taken my car into big o for tires and oil change services quite often. I was told at my last visit that I needed to replace the oil pan in my 2005 VW Jetta. I asked the tech when that needed to be done he said by the time my next oil change was due. I decided to get a second opinion and took my car to out local VW dealership, the evaluated my car, did my oil change and told me "your oil pan needs to be replaced due to poor mechanical services provided elsewhere, where did you take your car" I explained to them that i had taken my car to big o tires and they had offered to fix it. Little did I know big o was the problem all along. I ended spending over 600 dollars in repairs because my extened warranty wouldn't cover faults by a mechanic. I feel like big o is responsible for doing poor service on my car. This is not the first incident ive had with them and Im not happy.

Martin of Redding, CA June 15, 2009

I wanted to provide this positive comment specific to the Redding California Big O tire store. Sometimes it's these big chains can vary a lot between different locations. I have had my 1990 Chevy truck in on two different ocassions to this store and found them to be honest and cost competitive. The first time, I had my tires rotated and balanced. They did the job quickly and professionally and didn't try to sell me anything I didn't need. The technician pointed out some accelerated wear on the outside of the front tires and suggested an allignment might be needed.

The tires did show some uneven wear and I had my wife take the truck back a month or two later for an alignment. They checked the specs and reported that the alignment was good. There was no charge. They could have easily charged me for an alignment that I didn't need, but didn't. I'll go back to them next time.

Rosalind of Sacramento, CA June 8, 2009

9/9/09 - I came in with a slow leak in one of my rear tires. After checking the tread on my tires it was determined I needed to replace the rear tires. I agreed to replace the tires. 6/6/09 - I went to Sears and had my brakes serviced, my tires were rotated. All was well I thought.

One of my neighbors was checking my car for me and noticed something was not right with my tires. He checked the notice on the inside driver wall and the label stated my rear tires required P255/45R17, what is on my car are 235/50ZR17. According to specifications my rear tires should be P255/45R17. There is a caution note in the drivers manual stating that: mixing tires could cause you to lose control while driving. Also mixing tires the vehicle could cause damage to my car.

I went back to Sears and told them they did not rotate the tires properly and found the size difference. I am going back to Big O tires this morning attempting to straighten this out.

Gregory Johnson of Salida, CA April 21, 2009

Gregory of Salida CA (04/21/09)
I brought a newer tire in to be serviced that had a nail and was losing air pressure. I had the tire off of my car and brought it in by hand. The tire I brought in was a Big O Tire brand. After showing it to the manager, he immediately told me that the tire could not be fixed. The manager then proceeded to tell me it would cost 105.00 dollars for a new tire. I asked the manager why the tire could not be fixed and he told me to read the sign posted on the wall. The manage also told me that no other store would fix the tire as well. I left the store and went to Costco's tire service. I walked into Costco and was immediately told the tire was fixable and would cost me 14.00 dollars. After waiting approximately 45 minutes, I was given my tire and left.

I went back to Big O Tire's and showed the manager my receipt, telling him that I was able to procure another service department to fix my tire for only 14.00 dollars. The manager told me that if I didn't like his service that I could call corporate headquarters. I asked the manager why the tire couldn't be fixed at his store and againg he told me to read the sign posted on the wall. I advised the manager that on numerous occassions I had brought my vehicle's in to have the tires serviced only to be told that I needed new tires, my rotors were bad and not up to specs(even though I'd just replaced them at another store and they did not know this) and I also at times needed break pads (even after replacing them myself one time prior to having my tires looked at. The manager simply told me, If you don't like it here, then don't come back.

The only consequences of this incident was I informed the manager that I would no longer be coming back to ANY Big O Tire store to have my tires serviced. It cost me my time to go back and fourth from one store to another. I usually am told by this particular store during any time I need tire service that something else is wrong with my vehicle. When telling the manager that I had just replaced whatever the problem was (brake pads/rotors) his only response was to laugh at me.

Gleen of Los Angeles, CA March 1, 2009

Gleen of Los Angeles CA (03/01/09)
the tow truck driver was seen smoking a joint while he was suppose to be working. the name on the tow truck a Big O tires was AIRWAY TOWING and not only that he was very rude for no reason at all.

Rong of Louisville, CO January 13, 2009

Rong of Louisville CO (01/13/09)
I used to have Big O Tire for oil change. Last Sept, I had them to do 90k mile service on my Honda Civic, paid 300 and was told everything was fine. Two months later, there was oil leak. I went to Big O again, and was told the oil pan and gasketing was leaky. They replaced them and I paid 300. It was still leaky after I got home. They rechecked it and told me the part they put on had a tiny crack. So they replaced with a new one again. But I found it was still leaky. So I went back 3rd time for the leak. They put dye to track, and weeks later found the problem was from timing belt and water pump. It costs me 500 to replace timing belt and water pump. Two weeks later, smoke came out of the front trunk when I was driving, the radiator was messed up.

They said they never touched the radiator so they won't take responsibility for this. I went to another mechanic to replace the radiator because I decided never used Big O Tire again. The mechanic also found there was leak around the new water pump. So I went back to Big O. They told me they were fully booked and would not be able to fix it in 2 days.

That's Big O service! Did full service found nothing but things started to fall apart after. Took 4 times to fix oil leak then I had overheat issue 1 week later. Weeks later the new water pump started to leak but they were reluctantly to fix it!

I will never go back to Big O again and will tell all my friends my story.

Stephen of Mesquite, NV January 5, 2009

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