Free Tire Rotation is the Norm, Right?

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O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
I noticed my wife's car doing a slight "hula" during a very slow crawl on a smooth highway. I was certain it was a belt shift, so I took it back to Sears for an adjustment. Turns out it is a loose inner tie rod. They wanted $45.00 for the part, $40.00 to install it, and $65.00 for an alignment! :p

I told them I'd take care of it, but while they had it, how much for a rotation? He said $12.50. I said OK, do it, but now that I'm about to pick up the car, I'm wondering why that wasn't free? He's got the receipt showing I bought the tires there. Hmmm, should I make a fuss about it, or just let the $12.50 bill slide?
 
K

klah

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2002
7,070
1
0
I don't know if it is the norm, but Discount Tire does. They also pricematch tirerack.com which is why I use them.

 
S

sirspotti

Senior member
Dec 29, 2004
497
0
76
They definitely don't charge for tire rotations. Go back there and throw a tire iron in his face.
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Just went to pick up the car... they closed at 5:00! WTF? Well, at least they open at 9:30AM tomorrow. I guess I'll make an issue of it, after all. It's just the principle... and I can use that ten bucks!
 
sao123

sao123

Lifer
May 27, 2002
12,653
205
106
Free rotations at sears only if you buy their tire protection plan when you buy the tires. Thats why you should go to NTB. National Tire and Battery.

buy tires? Free rotations.
buy an alignment? free re-alignments for an entire full year.
buy a battery? ...

you get the picture.
 
A

Aztech

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2002
1,922
0
0
I don't think so, you can usually add on an option for free lifetime (life of the tires) rotation and balance for a fee. I think it's usually about $10 per tire for it?
 
Banana

Banana

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
3,132
23
81
FWIW, I think free tire rotations is good for business. It gives the mechanic a chance to look for possible problems and earn some $.
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Most places I know of you have to pay a bit extra for Hazard Protection or something like that and then they normally throw in the rotations. My place gives me $5.99 oil changes and free rotations.
 
B

Black88GTA

Diamond Member
Sep 9, 2003
3,430
0
0
I have never gotten a tire place to honor their free rotation advertisements.

My car has different offsets for the front and rear wheels - rears won't work on the front, they'll rub the calipers. In order to rotate the tires properly, they must be removed from the rims and swapped :(.

All I can do is swap sides, which is basically worthless.
 
W

wasssup

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2000
3,142
0
0
I've had problems getting my free tire rotations too. Most of the time when they do take it in and say they rotated it, I take a look at the markings I made on the tires to differentiate them and notice they never moved.

WTF is so difficult about a rotation?
 
amdhunter

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,332
249
106
Originally posted by: Banana
FWIW, I think free tire rotations is good for business. It gives the mechanic a chance to make up some possible problems and earn some $.
Click to expand...

fixed
 
S

Spg

Senior member
Mar 11, 2001
214
0
76
I usually go to Allen Tires. They include tire rotation and fixing flats as part of the price. Once I wore the tires out before the 50,000 miles and I got a smoking deal on a new set.
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Just picked up the car. The guy said, "$12.95." My wifes says, "That's not much." I said, "Most places do it for free." The guy said, "We do too, if you buy the tires here." I told him we did, and he had the paperwork with receipts right there! "Oh, sorry..." :eek:
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
If Walmart had:I might have purchased from them.

Got the $25.00 TRW inner tie-rod end installed. I used a dial caliper to set the length exactly as the one I removed. Not sure if it will need an alignment or not, but I sure as hell am not paying $65.00 for one!
 
B

Black88GTA

Diamond Member
Sep 9, 2003
3,430
0
0
Originally posted by: Ornery
If Walmart had:I might have purchased from them.

Got the $25.00 TRW inner tie-rod end installed. I used a dial caliper to set the length exactly as the one I removed. Not sure if it will need an alignment or not, but I sure as hell am not paying $65.00 for one!
Click to expand...

You're in Ohio...

What about Belle Tire? They have a coupon on their website for $10 off an alignment (reg. $44.90) - you end up paying $35ish. That's probably the best you'll do on an alignment.

Everywhere around here (Long Island) wants $65-80 :|. I just rebuilt my entire front end, and need it done pretty badly. I have been looking for a cheaper price, but I haven't found one yet.
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Wow, nice price, but the closest one is 23 miles and "commercial only". I've got time to shop around. I got the tie rod pretty darn close to the original position.
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: Ornery
Wow, nice price, but the closest one is 23 miles and "commercial only". I've got time to shop around. I got the tie rod pretty darn close to the original position.
Click to expand...

its right off of 271 near sams club, and yea i believe its commercial only.
 
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