Americas Tire - scratching rims to install balance weights??
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Weird, when I used to work there, we used basically a rubbing alcohol solution and a really flexible knife to take off weights. (We didn't care if some of the double stick tape stuck though). However, to clean off the brake dust to get a clean wheel for the double stick tape, just a rag and some of the rubbing alcohol solution, never a wire brush or anything similar.
Sucks too, because most of the head and maybe main assistant managers at ATC are great people. I know my old manager in Dublin would bend over backwards to help customers. If you haven't already I'd recommend talking to the head manager. Almost everyone that works the counter (not in the back) is some type of manager and most don't give a crap. It's only the head manager that cares about the customers.
Sucks too, because most of the head and maybe main assistant managers at ATC are great people. I know my old manager in Dublin would bend over backwards to help customers. If you haven't already I'd recommend talking to the head manager. Almost everyone that works the counter (not in the back) is some type of manager and most don't give a crap. It's only the head manager that cares about the customers.
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I go to the Dublin Discount Tires and they were great people. The person that helped me was also a Subaru owner and we talked for a bit. I'm not sure how the other Discount Tires are, but I hope you can get thinks resolved quickly. Sorry to hear what happened to your wheels.
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I'm not sure why it would be seen as a tiny scratch. the area above the valve that looks like it's white...is white because that's just primer left and the paint is gone. All four rims like that. 1 inch wide, 3 to 4 inches long and some of it carying over to the lip of the rim on one of them.
I'm also dont think the logic follows to say if they were after market rims, then complain, but for stockers "what do you expect". Wire brush on a painted surface = paint removal tool, not a cleaner.
I'll go to the shop tuesday. they can tell me what's possible here. I wonder if there is rim touch up paint from Subaru.
I've bought tires multiple times from ATC and never had any issues.
I'm also dont think the logic follows to say if they were after market rims, then complain, but for stockers "what do you expect". Wire brush on a painted surface = paint removal tool, not a cleaner.
I'll go to the shop tuesday. they can tell me what's possible here. I wonder if there is rim touch up paint from Subaru.
I've bought tires multiple times from ATC and never had any issues.
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I bought the tires at ATC, Conti Extreme DWS and had installed on Monday last week. Out the door ~600. I had to replace my potenza's because one tire was totally jacked and ready to shred (50K on the potenzas)
Last edited by kinkers; Jul 30, 2011 at 10:26 PM.
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Call another America Tires and other big tire installers too (Costco, Goodyear) and ask them if they use wire brushes to scrape away a fresh spot to mount weights. When they so "No, that'd damage the wheel." say "Thank you very much."
Then go back to the offending AT and politely ask to talk to the manager. Go over the situation politely. If he again says that is common practice bring up that homework that you did, showing that it is not common practice, including at other AT's.
If that doesn't work you might have to complain to corporate. Manager will most likely be trying to protect his ***, but corporate is worried about protecting the image of the company.
Then go back to the offending AT and politely ask to talk to the manager. Go over the situation politely. If he again says that is common practice bring up that homework that you did, showing that it is not common practice, including at other AT's.
If that doesn't work you might have to complain to corporate. Manager will most likely be trying to protect his ***, but corporate is worried about protecting the image of the company.
Remember always remember to get the person's/manager's name for reference.
Yes I can clearly see them, anyone who cant see that....... is clearly blind. 
The point really isn't about which type of rims were damage, but more of the fact that the damaged actually happened. Whether it be expensive wheels or stockers, this should not be happening AT ALL. And what if they were advans and such....... they would probably do the same thing. Thats a problem.
And apparently OP is careful enough of his belongings to keep them clean, so of course this would bother anyone of that nature. I don't even keep my **** clean and I would be furious about this. Think about the logic here......
The point really isn't about which type of rims were damage, but more of the fact that the damaged actually happened. Whether it be expensive wheels or stockers, this should not be happening AT ALL. And what if they were advans and such....... they would probably do the same thing. Thats a problem.
And apparently OP is careful enough of his belongings to keep them clean, so of course this would bother anyone of that nature. I don't even keep my **** clean and I would be furious about this. Think about the logic here......
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Check the workorder you signed too. Chances are you wont be able to do anything about it. I would think tire shops have that in the small print somewhere regarding scratches and what not.
Sucks brah. Thats the same reason I would only get my aftermarket rims balanced and mounted at a specialty shop.
@Jourdan: How are you supposed to balance those BMW rims if you cant put weights on the outside. The lip is too big. Im curious.
Sucks brah. Thats the same reason I would only get my aftermarket rims balanced and mounted at a specialty shop.
@Jourdan: How are you supposed to balance those BMW rims if you cant put weights on the outside. The lip is too big. Im curious.