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 ...

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

Naomi of Seattle WA (10/02/08)
My brakes were grinding and I was going on a long trip with my kids to SD. I went to Big O and had them do my brakes. Next day we left out of town to SD traveling in bad weather and had to go through 4 passes and lots of hills and curves. The brakes were squeaking so I called Big O right away and told them and they said it will go away. We left and it was still squeaking all through the trip we made it to Rapid City, SD. It was bothering me because we had to travel home yet and they were making these noises.

So I took it to a shop in SD they checked it and said since I had new brakes on that the squeaking should eventually go away. We headed back to Seattle after afew days. The squeaking gotten worst, so when I got back to Seattle. I called Big O again, he said bring it back in. He checked and he apologized and said I am sorry but whoever did you brakes didn't do a good job here. The brake pads were melted badly. He said he will fix them for free in which he did and now after afew months, they are grinding again.

This is a major safety issue for me and my kids on the trip. We could of had an accident if the brakes gave out.

Ernie of North Las Vegas, NV September 29, 2008

Ernie of North Las Vegas NV (09/29/08)
I took my car in for an oil change, and it took two hours to have it done on a Monday @ 10:30am when ask why is it taking so long the manager told me that when it is done I will get, it so after asking him again ten min. later he told me not to ask him again(Art is his name) and told me that he not going let me complain in his store and what every it took he was willing do. He also stated the was a manager who did not fell the customer is always right and was quite loud in letting me know this. Other stood in disbelief as I did. His verbal assault left me concern if my car was safe for me drive.

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