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 ...

MICHAEL of mesa, AZ November 19, 2009

We've purchased four tires for our RV. We've had three blowouts while being on vacation. These incidents occurred within one yr. of purchase. We submitted two different claims. Both times we had damage to RV. Big O Tires says that it's not their responsibility and that it's manufacture defect. One has been taken care of. The latest claim has been a hassle. Getting Big O Tires to do their end of paperwork has been a headache. Either they misplace paperwork, they have trouble with postman pick-up or avoid my calls.

I went down to Big O Tires and spoke to Rich. His words were "they don't pay me enough to deal with this". He gives me two other names to contact (Gabe; owner and Craig) Their response was "what do you want us to do about it?". We have always taken four of our vehicles for tire purchases. No longer will we do any business with them. They make enough money to take our money, but not to deal with us when we have problems with cheap and dangerous products that they sell. Tires can be replaced but not our family. It's put us in a very scary situation. On top of our past experiences, we didn't expect to get such bad attitude with manager/owners. If that's how they deal with everyone, they will continue to lose good and faithful customers like myself. I will make sure to share our negative experiences with others. I would hate to find out that others were hurt because of another blowout.

Peter of Fremont, CA November 13, 2009

I am done with Big-O tires and their services, their warantee promise...Like being cheated. I used to purchase 4 big-o tires and it only ran to 29200ml two tires failed to service. They argued that the wheel alignment was bad. So I replaced with 4 40,000ml tires and also did a wheel alignment there. I also did rotations regularly. Now I got to 24,000 ml and I asked to rotate tires and check for a flat tire (some slow leaking, seems quite common in big-o tires at least to my experience)---I was told that one tire has excessive wear and refused to do the service, suggesting to replace the one tire and quoted 97 dollars! I asked what is about the warrantee? They told me that I did not do wheel alignment every 6,000 miles and that voids my warrantee! S**tttt! Who does wheel alignment every 6,000 miles? I won't do it even if somebody offers free alignment. If it is 15,000 miles (AS-NEEDED by checking for signs of uneven wear) I would agree. I actually did one tire rotation in their stores and asked for checking--nothing was wrong. Here is my bloody conclusion: Warrantee is such a lie, especially in Big-O tire store. Big-O tires are very bad. They are easy to wear; easy to catch a nail; easy to have small leaks; easy to blow up when hitting rough object, such as a rock. Big-O tire service is bad; their free rotation service is really for opening chance to make more money.

Chris of Albuquerque, NM November 9, 2009

Labor Day weekend I was back home with family and friends. After I returned back to work after labor day weekend, I told the manager that October 23rd through November 1st, I would be going back home. So I turned in plenty of notice. On October 8th I was given the ok to take the time off. So I made reservations back home as well as arangements as I bought a truck and was going back to get it, and bring it back to here. On Thursday October 22nd, I was informed by the Co Owner that she wanted me back by Tuesday the 27th. Now when I was back home I ran into lots of problems. I had a death in the family that I needed to be with, and as well as getting the truck going. Told them I would be back for work on November 2nd. Now I informed my manager that what all happen and a death happen while I was back. I contacted by text message on Monday about this as I found out on Sunday October 25th.

On October 30th I get 5 text messages stating that after so many conversations with the Owner and Co Owner that it would be best in my interest to just stay in Wisconsin as we no longer are giving you any hours. So basically thats when they fired me. So with all the stress going on with the death and issues back home I was to stressed out to make the 1450 mile drive back to here, so I got a last minute flight on Sunday November 1st. On November 5th I went down to Big O Tires to pick up my last paycheck as well as my toolbox and used tires, and as I pulled up to the garage i noticed my lockable tool box was pried into and tools were taken.(have pictures for proof) I talked to the service writer manager as well as my own manager and they both had no clue to what happen. My manager still has not called me to discuss this manner, as he text messaged me and said that on Tuesday and Wednesday when he was over there never noticed it broken into. I had a police report made. So not only being fired while being out on a death in the family, my tool box broken into, and to much stress to not to be able to drive back has cost me alot. Also when working for this company i was scheduled so many hours and I was always or almost always sent home early.

After making a 40 min drive to work each way. I was scheduled to work wednesday-saturday, with about 35 hrs per week down to 3 days a week tuesday,thursday,saturday. with hours being cut badly. This place was full of promises about giving me hours, just as the conversation that came up after I get back from my trip I would be given more hours. Which never happen cuz she fired me while I was away. They also made me write up services that were not needed on vehicles and said at least each vehicle is required for some type of service. So it was either write up a service rec. or have no job. Told me they need to keep their numbers up. So this place was a total rip off since day one of starting there in april of 2009. I also got injured on the job, which happen the day after I got back from being gone labor day weekend. Someone thought it would be funny to put fresh oil on the yellow ramps going to the lube rack which you walk on to walk up to the vehicle, went to step up and lost my footing, and down I went, hitting my back area, my knee on the hard concrete, and hitting my shoulder on the rack itself. I went to the Co Owner to let her know about my fall, and figured she would at least write up a accident file, but never did.

Also 3 weeks prior to my leaving to go back home on October 23rd someone requested to have the 26th and 27th off cuz he was getting married, and of course they allowed that. But now because of this guy turning in about getting married then all of a sudden they are saying now I have to be back earlier because of this. Which no way in possible I could make it back that soon. I have never seen such a place that liked to take customers for granted.

Tanya of Aurora, CO October 23, 2009

Oct 09, 2009; 4:00 pm; I took my Blazer to have my tires switched and mounted at Big O Tires. We put my tires in my boyfriend’s truck because my Blazer is small and the tires were very dirty. Two hours later we receive a call saying my Blazer was ready. Chris said he forgot to ask us if we wanted the old tires back; so he put them in my blazer. He put the filthy, greasy tires on my seats with no protection. He offered to help us take them out; which he should have done himself and not us. When we were done, I had to start my truck twice; I don’t recall having to start my truck twice in the past.

I put the truck in gear and started to drive off. My truck struggled. I barely made it across traffic. My top speed was 20 mph. I flashed my lights to get my boyfriend to stop and pull over; I told him my truck is running horribly and my Service Engine Light is on. He followed me home. I did not return to Big O, because I knew something was seriously wrong and Big O Tires also closed at 7:00. I did not want to leave my truck in their hands nor in their parking lot.

The next morning Oct 10, James followed me to Jim Pair. My truck showed no changes it ran poorly again 20 mph. We dropped off my truck to Jim Paris I did not tell him the whole story about getting tires. All I told him was the check engine light was on and I wasn’t getting any power/gas. I wanted to see what he had to say first to see if the truck just went crazy. In about 15 minutes Paul from Jim Paris called and asked me who did your tune up? I told him no one; I don’t need one. He said someone has been messing with your truck; wires & sparks plugs have been yanked & pulled out then replaced backwards. Paul was amazed how I even drove it; never the less, started it.

My boyfriend and I were questioning ourselves how Big O (Chris) was ratting and raving about how they (Big O) do engine work now and they had several Blazers in for repair and the book called for 6 hours and they could fix it in 4 hours. He kept talking about repairs….

My boyfriend and I went to Big O and asked who worked on the truck. No one answered. We told Chris what was going, and then all of a sudden the guy who worked on it said “oh I noticed that it was running rough”. He denied that he went under the hood. I told Chris to call Paul at Jim Paris; which he did. Chris denied that anyone opened the hood. We went home and waited for Jim Pairs to call. Paul called and said it was evident that someone tampered with the truck and there was so much damage that it’s going to cost me more money than previously quoted. Later Paul called and said the truck was ready. We pick up the truck and went straight to Big O. The manager had left for the day so we gave a copy of the work order to a worker. He said he would give it to the manager on Monday, Oct 12th.

On Sunday, Oct 11th, my service engine light appears and the truck still isn’t running right. I have missed time from work and might suffer more cost to have them (Jim Paris) see what’s wrong now. I have to wait until Oct, 17 to bring my car in because I can’t get off work. This whole ordeal is very stressful.

Mike of idaho falls, ID October 19, 2009

On Thursday Oct. 8th while driving from Afton to Idaho Falls my truck began to vibrate as if was suffering a flat. I immediately stopped and became aware of instead of a flat that all of my transmission fluid was leaking out at the rear of the transmission case just in front of the first set of rear wheel drive u-joints. The vehicle was not drivable so I called Hutchinson's Towing in IF and they towed me to "Rumbles" diesel for repair.

During the repair the transmission itself was found to be intact, but the case was split at the rear of the case. It was also noted that the first set of U-joints were damaged due to the loss of one of the "D" rings that hold the fitting together. According to "Doug" the owner of Rumbles, the failure of the joint, due to the loss of the "D" ring was the cause of the failure. He also stated that had the joint completely come apart, the probable drop of the drive shaft to the pavement could have caused a much more serious incident.

During the repair, he sent the drive shaft to Musselman Eq. to make sure the shaft was not bent, it was not bent and the u-joint was replaced at their facility. They are looking for the damaged u-joint, but the evidence points to a faulty installation. Totally negative experience, 1683.58 to repair, they offered 168.00

WENDELL of springfield, OH October 3, 2009

Bought new tires for my truck and wifes bravadain 2008.We were promised free gas and never received any. They also insisted on alighning my truck bechtel store could get it right after 4 different apointments they sent me to beavercreek store (30 minn drive)they finnaly got it right.whatt a joke

Rudolph of La Mirada, CA September 26, 2009

Our car was working perfectly good when we took it in for oil change...(we mean perfect)! They did a transmission flush, Because Bryan said we needed it. We agreed. The very Next Day, leaking Transmission fluid. Took back to Big O Tires, they said this happens, "We will fix for another 105"... no way! for something they did. We had already pd. 312. (we must add, they also did oil change, other services etc.)

We said later W/you, this should not have happened , if it was done correctly! "we should not be charged again"! We then took it elsewhere, another mechanic, paid more MONEY! but it was done correctly. (the reputable mechanic told us what was done Incorrectly by Big O.

We need to be reinbursed for that service. We can clearly see they take advantage of Women & Seniors! So very disappointed & ripped off!

Harvey of Reno, NV September 7, 2009

One leg of a recent trip took me from Flagstaff, Az. To Las Vegas, Nv. via I-40. I blew a tire, severely damaged an almost new aluminum wheel and damaged the wheel well of my 5th. wheel trailer. AAA came to my rescue, mounted my spare and got me going. The next morning, with my 4 year warrantee in hand I went to the Big O store in Las Vegas, where I had purchased the tires, a little over 3 years ago, to buy a new wheel and get a replacement tire. During a conversation with the manager he said that "tires on a trailer are not covered by any warrantee". When I pointed out that his shop had installed the tires on my trailer and given me the warrantee that I was holding, the conversation came to an end and I left. I think that I have figured out how Big O got its name -- it stands for customer satisfaction!

Val of Woodland Park, CO September 7, 2009

I had been noticing an intermittent vibration in my steering wheel which felt like a tire going (harder to steer), but when I'd pull over, all tires looked fine. I took it to the Big O up here in Woodland Park to make sure it was safe to drive down to Monument, CO and they said my struts were bad, but it should be okay for a while yet. When I got down to Monument (50 miles away), the wheel actually started jerking HARD to the left & there was a simultaneous thunking from the left front wheel, though I could see nothing. Since there happened to be a Big O in Monument, I dropped it off there, telling them what the guys up in WP said. They apparently just assumed it was the "bad" struts (without checking out other possible reasons), charged me over 1000 for parts & labor, replaced a couple of belts & did an alignment, all of which ended up costing me more than 1350. Then while driving up the pass, THE CAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING--that is, it felt like a tire was going flat & I had to pull over to make sure. I then drove the rest of the way at 45 mph with a continuous vibration in the steering wheel. The next day it seemed fine, but you can understand why I'M FEELING A BIT INSECURE! The guy in Monument said I should just take it back to the WP Big O, but by now I'm so broke and since I never paid them for their "diagnostic," what recourse do I have? I'm afraid to do another 100-mile round trip to Monument, and I'm sure they won't be refunding any of my money since the struts were probably in need of replacement (although a guy at a gas station pushed on the hood & didn't seem to think they were all that bad). All I'll have done in the future at Big O is tire changes!

Jim of Los Banos, CA August 27, 2009

I took my car in for a oil change on 9/21/09. I noticed my drive way was with a puddle of oil. I checked my oil and it was approx. 4 qts. of oil low. I replaced the oil loss and my wife took the car back to Big O Tires the following day 8/27/09. When my wife took the car in she spoke with the manager L. Goldstein and told him I think the oil drian plug must not be tighten because our drive way has alot of oil spilled.

After a hour waiting. The mngr. said that was not were the leak was coming from he then asked if I wanted to wait or a ride home till they figured out where the oil leak was coming from. I (Cathy) said they could drop me off at home and call me when the problem was found. Approx. a hour half later the manager L. called me and said there was two leaks they found one they were able to tightened and fixed that leak the other leak was due to I needed to replace intake manifold gasket which is 64.95 and the labor was 3.60 hrs neede@93.70 per hr. total labor cost is 337.32. L. said I should get the intake take manifest gasket replaced asap because I could damage the engine from loss of oil and would burn up the engine.

L. also found additional work needed strut rod brushing left and right side 2@27.50 each labor 1.50 hours @93.70 per hour totaling labor cost to 140.55. I asked the manager how could this part need to be replaced because before the oil change I didn't have any oil leak problem. L. said due to the car being 18 years old it was wear and tear. After picking up my car I took it straight to our mechanic shop AA auto and spoke to our mechanic Fernando explained the problem to him and gave the paper work that i receieved from Big O tires.

My husband later in the aftenoon picked the car from AA Auto and the mechanic Fernando told my husband that it looks like the oil filter was loose because right below it was covered in oil he cleaned it up and then he checked the intake manifold gasket and didn't see one oil leak and said that was definetely not the problem. Fernando the mechanic then replaced the oil loss and ran the car for an hour and didn't see any oil leak after. Fernando said the car should be fine but driving the car with low oil may have caused permanent engine damage.

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