Complain about a product or service

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 ...

Mike of Chico CA (06/07/08)
I have been purchasing Big-O tires in Redding, CA dealing with Jay since the mid 1990s. I have always been given great service and never had a problem with any of the tires I have purchased from them. I have never used another brand of tire after buying my first set of tires from Jay at Big-O Tire. The tires have always gotten every bit of mileage they were suppose to. The employees have repaired flats for free of charge and have always been courteous and fast in their service.

I now live about 75 miles from Redding but still to Big-O in Redding rather than deal with the Big-O Tire company here due to the great level of service I have received at the Redding store. Thanks guys for a job well done and excellent service and product!!

Mark of Bermuda Dunes CA (05/31/08)
In March of 2007 I purchased four new tires from the Big O Indio location for my 1996 Volvo Station Wagon. I did not buy their Roadside Hazard Protection because Andy assured me that the manufacturers 45000 mile warranty was sufficient to cover defects in the tires I bought. In June of 2007 I brought the car back because the two front tires were BADLY worn. After inspecting my vehicle I was told that I Must have hit something in the road causing the alignment to go out. I purchased the premium alignment (6 month 6000 mile warranty) so they did the alignment again, but charged me for one new tire and two installations (Andy gave me one tire for free).

In May of 2008 I took my car in to Big O Bermuda Dunes for rotation and balancing. The car shook worse after balancing than before. I shortly returned and was told that three of my tires tread were seperating and that they have to be replaced. The technician advised me that there was minimal wear on the tires and this was due to a manufacturing defect and not any kind of road hazard or my driving. They quoted me for new tires and Installation. I told the service manager that I had purchased the tires about a year ago from Big O and that I have had problems with that type of tire before. I was told that the tire type I purchased was discontinued and that if I had bought the Road Hazard protection it would be easier to get me a discount due to the fact that my odometer is broken. I was told that since I could not prove how many miles were on the 45000 mile warrantied tire the best they could due was refund me $5.00 per tire. After looking at my reciept it stated that manufacturer warranties are based on tread depth.

I went back to Big O reciept in hand and was fed the same disclaimer about mileage and road hazard protection. I then went to three diferent tire vendors (Goodyear, Pep Boys, and Americas Tire) and was told that tread depth is the Industry Standard for warranty whether it is a bike tire or and automobile. Americas tire was the first to note that the tires for my car were obviously the wrong tire for a Volvo Station Wagon due to the weight limit of the tire. The tire size was sufficient but not the load classification. Larry at Americas Tire Indio related to me this is why there is tread seperation and uneven wear on all tires because the tires they sold me were never intended for the vehicle for which they were installed. I bought four new tires from Larry and he gave me a good deal on the correct tire for my car.

I needed to replace 4 tires after little more than one year and less than 12000 miles wear. Total cost with alignment $350.00

John of Sacramento CA (05/22/08)
Having Big o tires on my truck. On 04-06-08 I had two flat tires. I went to Big O to have them repaired. they showed me the front tire had to be replaced at a cost of 135.00 and the other to be repaird at no cost. After 5 visits the repaired tire is not repaired and they said I have to buy a second new tire. this was after 5 visits on a defalted tire every morning as I would get ready to leave for work. All five times they looked and said they could not find a leak. I just wanted my tire repaired.

Ron of Las Vegas NV (02/12/08)
Jan. 16, 2008 I went to Big O to buy a set of Michelin tires for my 2001 Accord. I was told they didn't have the right size so they sold me 4 Hancock tires. Jan. 31, 2008 ,a cab driver informed me my right rear tire was flat. With the 'donut' on I 'hobbled' to Big O where they told me the tire had been ruined. I was asked 'what did you hit'? etc. I didn't hit anything and haven't been able to understand how a rear tire would blow out before a front one, even if I had hit something. They replaced the tire and charged me for the replacement. My contention is that the tire was either faulty, or installation wasn't properly done. I'm done with Big O and will never go back, or recommend them to anyone else. Discount Tires replaced all four tires with a good quality Goodyear tire, compliments of their district manager.

I'm out $452.48 paid to Big O for 5 tires within a period of 15 days...not to mention the hassle of driving several miles through city traffic to Big O on a donut that was also flat!

Richard of Modesto CA (08/21/07)
one of the tires that i bought came apart while my wife was driving on the freeway.Broke the filler tube neck and the cover between the tire and the gas filler tube. took the tire back to Big O got another tire, but have not had anything done by big o totake care of the damages to my car. Its been 9 months and still don't know what if anything is going to done.

Randy of Oroville CA (07/11/07)
I brought my Honda to Big O Tires in Oroville on 11/10/03 for new brakes. Since that time I have only driven 24,000 miles. I was informed that a total brake job was done, which was not the case what-so-ever. This week my brakes started making a terrible noise so I took it to Big O Tires here in Oroville. I was told that apparently someone had done some brake work on my car and they couldn’t get the rotors off so they were ground off and then pressed back on. On top of this only one rotor was replaced - no new brake pads were put on. I was told that you never just replace one rotor you replace both of them.

I know nothing about the repair of cars. I was told by Big O Tires that a total brake job was done and I took them at their word. I informed the man at Big O Tires that the work was done by Big O Tires and he verified it on the computer. I also told the man when I take my car to a service center to be serviced I trust that they know what they are doing. Apparently they did not.

Connie of Aurora CO (06/26/07)
i went in for a brake change (front) and to buy new tures i was told this would take about an hour .then i was told the total was 445.00 well 5 hours later they told me they took of a back brake and all the hardware just fell off. unbelievable to me but when a woman goes alone this sort of thing always happens so after 5 hours and 623.66 dollars later i was very upset 2 weeks later i was driving one block from my home and had a blow out i heard a loud noise got out and heard the air pouring out .i hurried and turned around just as i pulled up the tire was totally flat . i called them because i have roadside assistance they said sorry we cannot get anyone there until 9am i was already late for work .i went the next day and the person in charge said well we do not have that tire in stock we will replace it in the morning you have a warranty so the next day afer work i went in to get my new tire and Javier said no it is not ready we are going to patch it ~! i said there is a giant hole it looked like a zig zag cut or open place on the tire i think the tire was just a bad one .i was very mad after spending that much money on all the things to fix it .i went to the back the guy patching the tire said there is no way this is going to work but javier made him do it any way .my daughter went in and asked for the managers name and number they would only give her the name tommy staker they said they did not know his number i thank God my spare was new because i do not trust that tire with my family onboard thank you connie

Marvin of Calexico CA (11/13/06)
Motorhome had 7 new Big-O Path Max tires installed in May of 2004 at 38,000 miles. 19,000 miles later, 3 have failed due to sidewall separation and bulging, one of them caused a blow out. One of them was replaced but they have refused warranty on last two because I wasn't the quote, original owner The previous owner bought the new tires in Modesto just before selling the motorhome to me. I'm really afraid to put a Big-O tire on the front for fear it may fail and have another blow-out.

I have to buy new tires to put on the front and then will likely be buying more tires as these fail.

Jay of Martinsville IN (09/29/06)
On 8-25-06 They put a new serpentine belt on my 94 gmc, While having an oil change.On september 13, the belt came off beacause they put the wrong belt on,I was stranded 50miles from home, I kept the old belt and had it in my truck, So i put it back on, I returned to the site who was responable for this and asked for a refund! I was told after much argument that i would only recieve in store credit.I have done much business with them, but now am reluctent to return there for further bussness, I might have considered returning except they were so extermely nasty and inconsiderate!

Out $95.00, And had to change my own belt on the side of the road. 

Rev. Carolyn of West Point CA (08/09/06)
Near the end of a 12 hour shift as an emergency responder in Sacramento County, I noticed my tire was low. I went to four different service stations in the area only to find that none of them had a working air hose. Since I had done business with the local Big O in that area for over ten years, I went to them for help. I arrived at the store at about 5:35pm where I was given a surly greeting by a man behind the counter who asked me to wait over there while he finished a personal conversation with another man.

When he acknowledged me I told him about the problem and that I would soon be getting on the freeway for the 90 minute trip, in the dark, to my home. Further, I told him that if I broke down on the way home, I would be in an area without cell phone service. I reiterated to him that all I needed was some air to which he said, you've arrived too late in the day, we can't help you. The store hours are listed as 7a-6p and I would have gladly stayed late and paid someone just to get some air. When I left Big O I felt sorry that this young man had just ruined the reputation of a very good store. He also missed a most wonderful feeling of helping another human being in a time of need.

Robin of Laramie WY (02/05/06)
In October 2004 we purchased 4 tires for a 2001 Chevy Tracker. We were given 1 year warranty with these. In August 2005, we noticed a bulge and crease in the right front tire. My husband advised I take this tire back to Big O to get checked out. On September 3, 2005, I took tire in and spoke with Gordie C who is the regional sales manager in Cheyenne. He informed me this is a normal tire without removing the tire for examination. His determination was made on site only. He put this determination in writing, which we have.

On February 3, 2006, while going to work, the right front tire went completely flat. I brought this tire to Peerless Tire Center in Laramie, due to the fact we do not have a Big O tire center here. The manager at Peerless, Matt W, informed me that the tire failed due to a cut on the inner belts of the tire, which is also in writing. He instructed me to contact Big O to get all tires replaced due to all tires were showing same exterior dent and bulges. They refused to do so.

Tuan of San Francisco CA (01/16/06)
On Saturday, 1/14/06, I brought my set of mint condition $4500 HRE wheels to Big O Tires, located at 3040 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118 to have my tires unmounted. While dismounting the tires, the technician damaged the polished lips on all four of my wheels. I advised the service manager, Carlos M, of the incident only to have him state that "There is no possible way we could have damaged your wheels. They were already damaged before we worked on them."

Mr. M's statement is both false and is an insult to my integrity. I have been a long-time repeat customer at this facility, having had multiple sets of customized wheels mounted and balanced with tires there, with no complaints or issues. Additionally, Mr. M fabricated a false statement on my final service order indicating that my wheels were damaged prior to the work performed, and then dismissed me.

V of Bettendorf IA (01/02/06)
Perchased four "legacy plus" touring tires, supposedly the best they had for my Honda Odassey. After going on the highway the following day the entire van shook. the tires I replaced were Michelens and they were very smooth. The next morning I went back in to Big O and told the store manager the problem. He pulled the tires and rebalanced all four tires. He said 3 out of the four tires were out of balance. His reasoning was the balancing machine was out of calibration.

The problem I had, was I was leaving to drive back to Iowa that morning, I didn't have the time to be messing around with something you would expect to be pretty darn simple. So off I went with my wife and 4 children all under age six. Right away I could feel the van shake, It was diffeernt than before, it was now comming from the back tires. I drove through Utah into Wyoming and decided to stop in Rock Springs to have the tires replaced with another brand.

The Big O tire guys in Rock springs said they couldn't replace my tires for another brand because they didn't carry another brand. But they could put the tires on this nifty little machine and see if the tires were bad or if I was an ultra sensitive nut job with some kind of fixation for wanting to drag my four little children and wife into a filthy hole to sit and get stared at by cowboy/grease monkeys for an hour. The machine they used was a road force measurement system. All four tires failed the test.

The shop in Rock Springs replaced the tires. I was on my way. Back on the highway the new tires seemed ok...for a while then some shaking started again and progressively got worse over the next few hundred miles. But it wasn't as bad as it was and its not as good as the tires I replaced. Bettendorf Iowa dosn't have BigO tires. So now I have to drive 70 miles to give them there tires back.

Jay of Coeur D'alene ID (12/20/05)
Big O has a unlimted replacement warranty. I had two tires go out on a road hazard and my truck was on the freeway, I called Big O tires and asked if they had the tires in stock, Ron said yes they do. I had a friend pick me up and take me and my two tires to Big O tires I had to have tires replaced. Upon arriving they said they would have to order them and I would have to wait. I didn't have much choice.

After getting the tires they charged me for mounting, balancing and deposal fee. I told them that I have had the unfortunate plesure of having tires swapped before and never been charged these extra fees. He asked me where I bought the tires? I told him San Diego County. He said well all franchises are differen't and this is the way it was and if I didn't like it I could go back to San Diego for replacement.

Dave of Elk Grove CA (11/16/05)
I brought in a flat tire to have it repaired. The tire needed to be replaced, so I received a quote of 371.00 for a new tire. I went to the local Acura dealer and purchased the same tire for 228.00. Brought the tire to this dealer, and when they removed it they used a all metal tool instead of the nylon one required for customer rims. The rims was gouged and scratched throughout its circumfrebce. the owner "Andrew" refused to replace it and wanted to "attempt" a repair. Mind you this was a brand new rim that was 120.00 each, the repair he stated would cost him 85.00. This was after 2 weeks of waiting to find out when this was going to be resolved.

Joe of Los Angeles CA (08/06/05)
Car shimmied @ 60 mph. They said I need tire balance but inspection showed stell belt exposed so I needed new tires. Asked if I could get Michellin tires. Gary said I would pay for name and not get road hazard insurance. If tire breaks you can go to any big O and get replacement or repair at their option. Luckily, they had only 1 set of tires @ 215x60/15. Guaranteed for 60,000 mi. Installed them.

When I returned to shop, Gary on phone with friend extolling the virtues of Michellin tires. Did not tell me that Big O tires rated A in traction and B in heat. Found out later that for less $ I could buy Michellins with 80,000 mi. warranty and cost was less. Next day, Gary was off. The tires are used so I'm stuck with them Did see on the net that specific tires had a 30 day trial period. I was not told that. My tires are not in that category. I was mislead and I needed tires because of the radial belts exposed, I would jeopardize myself and others if I drove on those old tires.

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