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  • Report:  #17748

Complaint Review: Les Schwab Tire

Les Schwab Tire Taking advantage of a woman's trust Milton-Freewater Oregon

  • Reported By:
  • Submitted:
    Thu, March 28, 2002
  • Updated:
    Fri, January 14, 2005

Last year my wife took her car in to the local LS store to get her snow tires (on separate rims) put on, just as she has done in the last 20 years dealing with LS. The car is a '95 Lumina, with about 38,000 miles. While changing a rear wheel, he "finds" a drop of brake fluid. He informs my wife, and says the car needs a "brake cylinder job" at $149.95. He offers to call over a brake man. She says that she will drive the car home and confer with me since she was unable to contact me by phone. The fellow says,"Oh no, mam, this car is too dangerous to drive!"

So she tells them to go ahead with the "repair." This is about 11 a.m., and they cannot get to the job until 2 p.m. In the meantime she gets ahold of me, and I call them on the phone at noon, and tell them I need, and will be down to get the car. I am there at 12:10 p.m., and the car is up on the rack, with rear wheel off, cylinder dismantled, and the shop door locked. Repair people are out to lunch.

Unfortunately I had to leave, so the "repair" was completed. Then the crowning blow came when I got my bill at the end of the month...another $48. They had talked her into having the studded tires scarfed as they would be much safer on ice. This was the 6th season for the snow tires.

As my son said, they would not have tried to pull this on him, or me. They took advantage of a woman's trust, and in the process lost a 20 year customer. (We have a total of 4 vehicles).

Bob
Milton-Freewater, Oregon

7 Updates & Rebuttals


Cheryl

Spokane,
Washington,
U.S.A.

Les Schwab Definitely takes advantage of kids, women!!

#8Consumer Comment

Fri, January 14, 2005

My 18 year old son was charged 85 dollars for ONE 14 inch snow tire, and mount. My husband has been buying tires from this company for 20 years, unfortunately he was out of town, and they took advantage of a kid. Yes, I DO CONSIDER 85 DOLLARS FOR 1 TIRE, AND MOUNT, EXCESSIVE!!!!!!!!


Peter

Portland,
Oregon,
U.S.A.

to the wife of les schwab asst. manager

#8UPDATE EX-employee responds

Thu, May 22, 2003

Please enough with the my husband is bla bla bla
for les schwab. honey I used to work for the company for years and in those years I have personally got hundreds of complaints. les schwab isn't as great as they say they are. nobody listen to the wife with the pole sign stuck up her butt she doesn't know anything


Liz

Prineville,
Oregon,
U.S.A.

This Woman would not go anywhere but Schwabs

#8Consumer Comment

Wed, February 05, 2003

I was born and raised in Prineville Oregon, the home of Les Schwab Tires. My uncle retired from this company a few years ago. My brother in law works in IT for corporate. I always trust these guys with my car, and have done business with them for years, since I was old enough to drive. I know that if I call they will come to my home and jump start a dead battery or bring me a new one. They will come and change a tire or fix a flat. All the work I get done is guaranteed, and if it is not right they will fix it. There have been many times when I would stop at a Schwab's store out of town to check my tire pressure or for air, or other little things, and they do not charge me. They are ALWAYS polite and courteous. I am a single mom, without much money, and to get to work I put alot of miles on my cars. I sincerely value the service I get at Schwab's. They have never treated me like "a dumb woman".

It sounds like the guy complaining is doing just that-complaining. It is people like that who make our jobs more difficult than they need to be so he can feel better about himself and the fact he does not run the world. Thank God.


Ken

Orland,
California,

Les Schwab Tire AND Service

#8Consumer Comment

Tue, August 20, 2002

The old boy from Milton-Freewater, Oregon should be glad the people at Les Schwab "found" the leak in your wifes brake syatem. That is what they are there for: to look ans report deficiencies that you may not be aware of. It is also good for the business. I can find no fault with that. Most people would agree.

I have eight vehicles ranging from a compact Geo to pick-ups, farm, stock and RV trilers. Not only my wife, but my daughter and youngest son drive these vehicles and I feel confident in both the tires and service are of the best and highest quality. I have inspected the problems that they have pointed out and confirmed in EVERY case the item needed attention.Is this good service or a 'rip-off' as this guy is is saying? I call it good service.

As a second note, my oldest son owns a trucking business with seven'big rigs' and pieces of equipment on the road. As you can tell, this is a lot of tires (134) on the road at one time. All of the services rendered to him by Schwab here in Orland has been beyond reproach.

I suggest that this guy stop and consider what could have happened to his wife for the sake of a couple of dollars. I also note that he was willing to drive the car, knowing that a defect existed. From the sound of your letter, you are just sour grapes. I suppose you would be looking for a flannel mouthed lawyer to sue them.

Grow up.


E

Lebanon,
Oregon,

Darned if they do, Sued if they don't...

#8Consumer Comment

Thu, August 08, 2002

As the wife of a long time Les Schwab employee, it disgusts me every time I hear one of these stories. My husband has worked for Les Schwab for 6 and a half years and is now an Assistant Manager.

Needless to say, I have spent a lot of time in and around the company and know what the employees are taught and what they practice. It is NOT store policy to sell or recommend any repairs or services that are not needed, with the exception of custom products that are specifically being sought after. I have never seen or heard this happen.

The company would not support it and an individual employee has NOTHING to gain by doing this. They do not receive commission or have ANY type of quota or incentive. That is not how the company does business. Les Schwab's main goal is to give you quality merchandise at competitive prices with service that can't be beat. Regardless of what a handfull of people may say, they are the most honest and respectable company you will find in this day and age.

I think that many issues like this one arise because people don't realize what a sensitive business Les Schwab is in and what kind of liability they face on an every day basis. Although they will never seek to "rip you off" or "take advantage of women" they do have to know their jobs and be extremely aware of warning signs and indications that repairs or adjusments are needed.

Automobiles are fatal machines if they are not maintained and repaired properly...especially tires and brake systems. What I find frustrating is *THE PEOPLE THAT COMPLAIN THAT THEY WERE SOLD ITEMS OR SERVICES THEY DIDN'T NEED WOULD BE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT WOULD BLAME AND SUE LES SCHWAB FOR NOT DOING OR RECOMMENDING THOSE SERVICES IF THEY WERE TO GET IN OR CAUSE A WRECK* People today refuse to be responsible adults...they want great products, service and warranties without any expense or personal liability. Even an outstanding company like Les Schwab can't possibly handle the job of babysitting and financially supporting all of the irresponsible adults there are.

I couldn't be more proud of the company my family represents and know that the majority of consumers appreciate the products, service and SO MUCH MORE that the Les Schwab company provides.


P.J.

Everett,
Washington,

Take issue with your wife!

#8Consumer Comment

Tue, April 02, 2002

I a bit cinfused as to where you come up with the fact that the gentlemen took advantage of your wife. As a les Schwab customer for about fifteen years, I would not dare send my wife or daughter to any other tire store. Did they take advantage by recommending needed work? A "drop" of brake fluid from a system that is supposed to be sealed is a leak. Enen though it is not gushing brake fluid the repair is necessary to prevent a catastrophic accident down the road when the tiny leak finally allows the brake pedal to go to the floor causing you wife and son to creep into a crowded intersection. As far as "scarfing" goes...Refered to as "siping" from here on is an excellent benefit to any tire. Who cares how many seasons are on them. did you know that siping adds to the life of a tire? Did you know that it reduces your stopping distance on ice up to one third? I know that 48$ charged for this service is a lot cheaper than your collision insurance deductable. Sounds to me like you may be a little overbearing on your wife and are upset that she made a decision for herself. If any thing, I think think you owe Les schwab a sincere "thank you" for looking out for wife's Winter driving safety, Not a reprimand for for offering some preventative measures to keep her safe. Did you also write a nasty letter when the doctor suggested that he give your son imunization to prevent sickness in the future?


P.J.

Everett,
Washington,

in addition

#8Consumer Comment

Tue, April 02, 2002

In addition to my last response... Yes they would have "PULLED" this on you son. They "PULL" this on me. I have "six" vehicles. All riding on Siped Les Schwab Tires.

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