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 ...

David of Mohave Valley AZ (10/30/08)
On October 25th of 2007 we dropped off a tire and rim to Big O Tires to have the tire replaced and to fix the rim. A employee of the company stole the rim and tire. When we tried to either have them replace the single rim and tire(they said that they could not find a replacement) they said we had to talk to a Steve to have the problem resolved. We have continualy every couple of weeks tried to contact this person Steve who is never in the office and never calls you back. This has been going on for a year.

For the past couple of months they now says that yes we are at fault and we know the employee stole our rim buy it is not our problem and literally go away On 10/29/2008 one of the Big O Tires on the Truck in question blew out a side wall. We went in to have it replaced under warranty and we brought up the rim replacement and they said again it was not their fault or problem. When we persisted they refused to honor the warranty on the tire (full rplacement) and they kicked us (my wife and myself) out of their store. The rims were 1 year old and cost 1,600.00. They were 20 rims. We were forced at the time to buy 16 tires (on the stock rims) so as to use the truck and they cost us 533.03.

Since one of those tires blew out. We have now had to buy another 4 tires for 600.00 because they would not stand behind the warranty and we were afraid since the tire that blew was defective the other tires were defective. We live in Mohave Valley were the summer temps stay over 115 consistently. My wife drives this Dodge 1500 every day in the remote desert. We cannot afford to have defective tires on this truck.

My wife has had extreme mental anguish and has been both abused verbally and mentaly in front of other customers by both Juan and Rich. We have been out approx. 2,734.00 (in uder a year). Time and effort to stay on top of the situation - hours and hours.

Patty of Elizabeth, IN October 24, 2008

Patty of Elizabeth IN (10/24/08)
I purchase tires from Big O based on the fact that I would receive a 500 rebate in the form of 25 gas cards each month. You had to send in a certificate and 6 to start the program and then each month you would send in a receipt along with a form. They have changed the rules to include you have to 6 each month they changed and said the envlope has to be a peal and stick envelope. They state that the receipt has to be dated in a specific date range and then Received in their office in a specific date range. No rebate ever states received it always states post marked by.

If you make any mistake to their many changing rules you lose that months rebate and try again next month. They are making this so hard I am not sure how anyone is able to get their money. I emailed Big O Corporate office and no one replied,

I contacted the store and they gave me a contact that was hired specifically to handle complaints about this rebate. I have spent a month with this goof ball in the hopes that I could get a gift ceritifcate from the store direct and even received a message from him Friday (10.17) to call or email him and try to work this out. I emailed Monday with no reply and again today. He called me back and it was if we never talked before and started rambling on about my last certificate had a written note on it that it was mailed on August 14th but not post marked until august 17th. I told him I was very confused because that is the first I heard about that and it had nothing to do with any conversation we had previosly. This guy, Ken Lassiter, just short or calling me a liar about any of our conversation. I have never been involved in such a horrible program in all my life.

Nigel of Las Vegas, NV October 19, 2008

Nigel of Las Vegas NV (10/19/08)
I bought a single tire from Big O at West Sahara ave Las Vegas, and they accidentally charged for two. They acknowledge the double charge, but have not refunded me. I have numerously asked for my money back for the accidental double charge, and they have not replied to me for the five calls and two visits to the office. I have DEMANDED a refund, and they told me it is out of their hands, despite agreeing that their store charged me twice.

I am 171 out of pocket on my credit card. I have wasted numerous calls, and time to get a response. I will also be charged interest on my credit card for the money that has not been refunded.

Susan of San Diego, CA October 7, 2008

Susan of San Diego CA (10/07/08)
I went to Big O Tires on Garnet in San Diego earlier this year because I had a flat tire. I wanted the same tire that I had when I bought my car new but they insisted I buy their in-stock tires which were top of the line and cheaper. Then they insisted I replace ALL my tires (even though one was only 2months old) so I did end up replacing 3 tires and kept the new one which was just like my original ones.

They also insisted on my paying to get them alligned even though I never had an allignment problem but I believed them when they said it was off but you can't always tell so I did. After about 1500 later, I got my car back and the allignment was totally off! I went to another Big O and they fixed it but just a few months later one of the new tires blew out on a road trip. Apparently their stock tires are cheaper because they sit on the shelves and get old and weathered and don't last very long. They have refused to reimburse me for the allignment or the weathered new tires I bought! What scammers!!

Since the 3 new tires I bought had completely different tread than my original tires, it causes my car to drift while I am driving. I never had an allignment problem until I went to Big O Tires!

Aylsie of West Carrollton, OH October 2, 2008

Aylsie of West Carrollton OH (10/02/08)
I bought 800 worth of tires and was promised 500 in free gas. I should have known.. The routine is for me to send 100 worth of receipts each month and they are supposed to give me 25 worth of credit at the gas station. I have been very patient. I bought the tires 11/02/07 and have complied with their requirements for Feb., Mar., April, May, June, July, and August.

I should have received 175 in credit by this time. It would take forever to get 500 of free gas. The location of the company that is set up to do the reimbursement is located near Tampa, FL. It is a post box in a Kinkos, I believe. I was expecting to save 25 a month and haven't received anything. They call with empty promises.

Naomi of Seattle, WA October 2, 2008

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