Wheel chipped from tire mount

[Cmike2780]

I recently had new tires installed. Asshats at Firestone chipped the paint on the rim.

I specifically asked the sales rep if they had a touchesss tire mount because I didn't want the wheels scratched up and was told "Sure, Not a problem, we mount wheels on Mercedes all the time". I should have known better. I went to check on the tech as they were mounting the last tire and shure enough, he had his whole body weight to the tire with a crowbar. I should have said something then, but I was thinking they had to put something to protect the rim. There was a lot of grease from the mounting process, so I just quickly looked over and didn't really notice anything. Payed and left the shop. I washed the wheels as soon as I got home, and sure enough, 1" gouges on each and every wheel from the crowbar. Some worst than others. Called them up today and will meet with the sales rep this afternoon.

Should I make a big deal out of this?
Ask for a refund?
Ask for new wheels?

I hate being the d-bag customer who complains about everything, but it kind of sucks that I came in with the wheels in mint condition walked away with not so mint ones. Thanks in advance.

[3SeventyZ]

Ouch. Sorry to hear that happened.

[SoCal 370Z]

Unless you are literally there watching them every minute you run the risk that they will f-up your rims. Even the best of the tire stores are only as good as the staff they have hired. I go to a high-end tire store that has been around for decades and is known for custom rims; I've seen crap there that should not fly, but does. Some of the worse is when a shop has several employees working changing one vehicle's tires: one to remove and install the rims, one to mount the tires, and one to balance the wheels. The best way is having one person work the job from removal to install. I know the head of the shop where I go and I always slip him a twenty when I get new tires. He sees the job from beginning to end and that includes a four-wheel alignment.

[Cmike2780]

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Unless you are literally there watching them every minute you run the risk that they will f-up your rims. Even the best of the tire stores are only as good as the staff they have hired. I go to a high-end tire store that has been around for decades and is known for custom rims; I've seen crap there that should not fly, but does. Some of the worse is when a shop has several employees working changing one vehicle's tires: one to remove and install the rims, one to mount the tires, and one to balance the wheels. The best way is having one person work the job from removal to install. I know the head of the shop where I go and I always slip him a twenty when I get new tires. He sees the job from beginning to end and that includes a four-wheel alignment.

Are you psychic? There were in fact two guys changing the tires. One guy removing the tire and another balancing. It also looks like they used a flathead screwdriver to pry off the old balancing weights.

[6MT]

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

Should I make a big deal out of this?
Ask for a refund?
Ask for new wheels?

I hate being the d-bag customer who complains about everything, but it kind of sucks that I came in with the wheels in mint condition walked away with not so mint ones. Thanks in advance.

I would!! You should ask for a new wheel and the labour to re-mount the tire and sensor. That installer sounds like an idiot!

[SoCal 370Z]

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

Are you psychic? There were in fact two guys changing the tires. One guy removing the tire and another balancing. It also looks like they used a flathead screwdriver to pry off the old balancing weights.

I hate it when someone else removes the wheels as they usually see their job as the bottom of the totem pole and they are not careful with the rims when they roll them over to the tire changer. I've seen dumb-a$$es let rims fall on their face-side, fall against another rim, or both.


Since where I go for tires is only about two miles from my house I remove all the rim weights; clean and remove all weight adhesive and remove any wax on the inner rim; remove all tire shine product, before getting new tires. If you have the luxury it is best to dismount the wheels, and do the following:

• Completely clean the outer and inner sides of the wheel assembly. Remove all tire shine products as they are both slippery and nasty so shop personnel hate those aspects of handling wheels.
  
• Tire valves, or at the very least, any o-rings that need replacing will be handled differently if they are not racing to remove and replace your wheels.
  
• This gives you a chance to wax the inside of the rims before mounting them back on your vehicle.
  
• But, the biggest benefit is that you can see whether they screwed-up anything on the rims more easily (and they know this).

[Cmike2780]

My original plan was to just bring the wheels over only, like you said. An old set of wheels I had from a old car wouldn't clear the brakes so thats why I had to take the car in. Also didn't have enough jack stands.

Next time I'll remove the weights myself. One less thing to worry about. That's good advice.