Tyre Fitters

Horizon81

After my local trusty ATS closed down I've had to find a different tyre fitters and what a shower I've come across!

First place I went to (a recently opened independent garage, specialising in tyres) was for 2 tyres. The guy fitting the tyres was in a mad rush as if his life depended on it, and it was nowhere near closing time. I paid, got my keys back then noticed right away that he had fitted 2 directional tyres facing the wrong way. I spotted this straight away but how many others wouldnt?

More recently I had a problem with a valve and took it to different place. This time I picked a different branch of ATS after my local one closed down. Paid, got back in the car and couldn't see my locking wheel nut key anywhere. Got out the car, asked the fitter if he knew where it was. He looked at me cluelessly and I just happened to look towards the wheel they'd been working on and lo and behold it was still balanced in place on the nut he'd just tightened up. So I could have easily driven away, at worst propelling this missile towards other vehicles or people, or at best, simply losing it by the roadside and then incurring the expense and hassle of buying a new key if available or cutting the old nuts off and buying a new set.

As much as this is a rant, the message is to check your car over when you get it back and don't rely on anyone to have done a good job. I tend to have a mental note of things to check, like locking wheel nut, tyres pointing the right way (or showing 'Outside' if asymetric) etc. And I always re-torque the wheelnuts myself when I get home and check the pressures. Many moons ago I checked the tyre only to discover 50+ PSI in it (and that was a main dealer!)

redmike123

I'm surprised at you good experience with ATS, at my local one the staff are incompetent and their boss is an aggressive shaven headed tattooed thug.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

redmike123 wrote: »

I'm surprised at you good experience with ATS, at my local one the staff are incompetent and their boss is an aggressive shaven headed tattooed thug.

To be fair, my ex works vans were lease, and had to take it to ATS as part of the lease contract, they were very good IMHO better than that other well known rip off chain.

Avoriaz

Horizon81 wrote: »

... Many moons ago I checked the tyre only to discover 50+ PSI in it (and that was a main dealer!)

In 1966 I was a 14 year old lad working as a petrol pump attendant in Dublin. That was before the era of self service etc.

A scooter rider asked me to put 18 psi in his tyres.

I misheard him as 80. :eek:

I'd got up to about 60 before he queried the time it was taking.

Horizon81

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

To be fair, my ex works vans were lease, and had to take it to ATS as part of the lease contract, they were very good IMHO better than that other well known rip off chain.

Yeah same here, my old ATS had a couple of guys who were really good, just a small outfit and despite being a national chain they were streets ahead of places like kwik fit. I've noticed ATS have also closed a different branch near me so they must be cutting right back.

EdGasket

As far as possible I only take the wheels in. That greatly limits the amount of damage they can do! Also means I get to do the wheel nuts up so I know I can actually get them undone again.