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 ...

Traci of Las Vegas, NV December 28, 2008

Traci of Las Vegas NV (12/28/08)
My check engine light was on so i took the car to have a diagnostic check. It did not appear to have any noticeable mechanical problems. Two hours later they called and said that i needed 2100 worth of work and that the car shakes. It never did that prior, but now it shakes and makes a loud noise.

Don of Henderson, NV December 12, 2008

Don of Henderson NV (12/12/08)
On Oct. 23, 2008 I went to Big O Tires in Henderson, NV to buy new tires for my pick up truck. They didn't have the Michelin tire I wanted in stock, so they talked me into buying one of our Big O Brands. I put on about 500 miles driving around Henderson and noticed what seemed to be a slight vibrtion that I thought might just be the bumpy road. In November we drove down to Yuma for the Winter and noticed shaking at certain speeds on the highway and city streets. I thought the tires may need to be rebalanced, so I took it to Big O Tires in Yuma. They balanced the tires and said one had a flat spot. At that time I said I did not want these tires and could they give me a price to up grade to Michelin. They said they would credit me the price I paid for my tires and charge me the difference for the new tires plus parts & labor, but first they wanted the manager to check the tires himself.

So I brought the truck back when the manager was in. He didn't find a flat spot, but they rebalanced the tires and rotated them on the truck. During the next week, the problem was still there. I took it back and said I wanted to up grade to the Michelin. Now they will only give me half price for what I paid for my tires originaly. My tires only had 1100 miles on them when I first brought them in, now I have 1441. I feel there is an internal defect that they can't find and they should take these tires back, after proating for the slight wear, and let me up grade to Michelin. I paid 69.00 a tire and they want to give me 35.00 per tire. I feel this is unreasonable.

Now they tell me these aren't Big O Tires so they won't honor the warranty. They sell that brand, REMMINGTON MAXXUM, but it's not Big O. I have been driving this truck since new for 20 years. I know when something is not right. I'm not happy with these tires and all I want is a fair exchange. I purchased a warranty for road hazard and workmanship/material. I feel these tires have an internal defect due to workmanship/material. Regaurdless, I am not happy and do not want these tires.

Lehni of Las Vegas, NV December 11, 2008

Lehni of Las Vegas NV (12/11/08)
On November 13, 2008, I took my car to Big O to have a coolant flush. A week later, my engine light was flashing. According to my car manual that if the engine light is flashing that I would need to take it to the dealership. I took my car to the dealership and they informed me that whoever did a recent coolant flush put the wrong anti-freeze in it. They explained to me that my anty-freeze's color is supposed to be orange, but when they showed me the actual color, it was green.

After getting my car repaired, I immediately went back to Big O and spoke to Kevin, the store manager. I explained to him that one of their men put the wrong coolant in my car and asked for a compensation (a free oil change would be nice) but he rudely interrupted me stating it was my fault for not taking my car to Big O in the first place when my engine light was flashing. The only reason why I didn't bring it Big O in the first place because I had no idea that the coolant was part of the problem. He also claimed that all of their coolant anti-freeze's color are all Green. That didn't sound right to me. The manager wouldn't even consider helping me at all.

I lost 261.00 out of pocket because of Big O Tires. It makes me wonder...if I was a man standing in front of him, would he give me the same bologne excuse that all of their anti-freeze's color are green or would he even consider helping me if I was a man instead of a woman. All you single women out there...don't waste your time and money on Big O. If you want to take a chance, bring a man with you.

Melanie of Dayton, OH December 9, 2008

Melanie of Dayton OH (12/09/08)
Bought 900 worth of tires because they said if you bought tires you would get 500 in free gas. So they are suppose to send you cards each month to get your rebate but they will not send them. They say that they will but they never do. This has been going on for 5 months now. I will never go back to them ever again. I do not trust them anaymore.

John of La Grange, KY December 2, 2008

John of La Grange KY (12/02/08)
On a routine tire rotation performed by BigO all four alloy wheels were scratched when they took off teh center cap.BigO refuses to do anything about the damage as I did not notice the damage immediately. I take great care of my vehicles and noticed the problem immediately upon had washing the truck. They said I can't prove it but I know the condition of the vehicle and would have noticed if the damage previously existed. Shame on BigO for not taking better care and putting a rag behind the tool they used to protect the finish.

Wheels valued at 1000 (upgraded 20 wheels on 06 F-150).

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