I first went here in Dec 2014 when I hit a pothole on Glenside and by the time I got done at a store on Mechanicsville Turnpike my tire sensor told me to get air. It was a Sat afternoon and I did not know where the closest tire center was. I quickly spotted Dave's Tire. The guy that was there seemed friendly and he started to put air in and noticed there was a knot. I then needed to replace the tire. He went to go look for one and not only had my size but the same brand (Michelin Latitude). I was elated. I rode on that tire with no concerns ever (no dealer comments either).
In Dec 2015 (one year later) the dealer finally told me I needed 4 new tires. I went back to Dave's at the end of January 2016 to get 4 used Michelin Latitudes. The same guy was there. He assured me that I was getting that brand/style. He pulled four out, put them on and then noticed that one was malfunctioning. He replaced it and I left but didn't go far. I had driven to the 7-Eleven across the way and back in my car the psi on one of the tires had failed. I went back to Dave's, they replaced it. Again, I was on my way. Later that evening I was driving and upon exiting I-95 I noticed the ride was really heavy with bloop-bloop-blooping (not a flat just heavy) so I assumed that because I went with a bigger size 235 instead of 225 that was the reason. I also thought that it might not have been a good idea to buy used tires in winter.
By mid-March 2016 the dealer recommended two new tires at my oil change as one of mine was dry rotted (Aha moment). That's why the ride was bloop-bloopingly heavy. End of April I went back to Dave's and told the same guy and he told me that the dealer was trying to get money from me. He then found one tire that was dry rotted and offered to put it on the back (it was on the front driver's side) for $10. O_O -- um, that's not a fix and the dealer would just move it back at my next rotation. So, I told him I would come back in the week to see about replacing it completely. He said okay. He was busy with another customer and it was Saturday afternoon, probably close to closing time.
By the time I went back, it was first week of May 2016. The guy was 'no longer working there'. The business had a new manager. One of the guys that I remembered was still there, I explained the whole story (this story) and he told me he would ask the manager about replacing it and that was all he can do. The manager agreed to replace it at no cost. What else I learned, that I did not have four Michelins on my car. I had three Nitto tires and one BF (bs tire), the one that was rotted. So, I blame myself for not checking but all the same, what was the point in leading me to believe what I asked for I was given. Even with the two failing being replaced, two should have been Michelins, right. Ugh! So, that was just really disturbing about the initial guy.
The new manager, Canada and the guy I spoke to this last time, Bucky, are amazing! They have integrity and I know this because I have not only spoken with both of them but have gotten great customer care during this last experience. I thought the tire had a leak and went back the next day, Canada discovered it was my valve core and replaced it no cost. Good business. Very selfless, not in it for a quick buck. So, I will be purchasing 4 more tires later this year, prior to my August state inspection. Canada promised me he would stack me four Michelin tires in good condition. I like that. He heard what I experienced prior to him and cares about his new business and keeping the old customers satisfied.
My faith is restored and while I am sure the initial guy has done some good, he did take care of me my first visit, I feel like somewhere along the way he forgot the purpose of being a part of a customer care oriented business where safety also comes into play. A very important play. I almost wasn't going to return there to replace the dry rotted tire. The tire that probably was dry rotted when it was put on. Of the initial four, two failed and after that it was just whatever and I got stuck with that dry rotted BF bs tire. That makes me mad but things ended well.
So, I type all of this to say that Dave's Tires is under new management and I have a good feeling that things are going to go more smoothly from this point forward. No one was impatient with me this time, either day. Give this place a try. I have and will continue to. :) read more
