Fuck you too Costco Tire Center

"ZDMW" (Dweiser)
01/13/2016 at 18:07 • Filed to: Rant, Fuck you Costco

So this was the first and the absolute last time I will buy tires from Costco. I can’t believe how much time of mine you forced me to waste.

So lets set the scene, over the holidays I told my dad that I was going to buy some winter tires this year and he offers to buy them for me. Awesome, thanks dad.

Last week I finally call a few places, and because the car has tiny wheels no where seemed to have any in stock. When I finally got Costco on the phone (this took 3 tries) they tell me they had some in a warehouse and they could have them in couple business days. However apparently they will not order tires over the phone you have to go there in person. Fine. So last Wednesday I meet my dad at the Costco and we order and pay for the tires. During this transaction they take my number for the explicit reason of contacting me when the tires arrive so I can come in and get them installed. Great.

Fast forward to yesterday morning, surprised I had not been called yet I try calling them. And keep trying. And keep trying. 8 calls later and probably close to an hour of my time, someone finally picks up. I ask him if they know when the tires should arrive, he tells me they are already here. The tires arrived sometime over the weekend. Thanks. (I should also note that I could not even leave a message because their phone just continues to ring. I had left my phone on for a solid 25min of waiting for someone to pick up while did other stuff at one point before giving up.)

While on the phone with the guy I ask if I can make an appointment to come in. No I can’t, it’s first come first serve. Fine. Last night at around 6 I finally get to the tire center, when I get there they inform me that they cant do my car because they already have too many people.

Today, I get to Costco around 1:45 I see one car in front of the tire center area and one person in the waiting area. I think good, it’s not busy this should be quick. I walk up to the guy tell him I’m here for my tires, he tells me to leave the key it will be between 2-2.5 hours before it will be ready to be picked up. WTF. Out of options and already annoyed I give him my key. But he asks for my phone number so they can call me, I assume for when its ready to be picked up. So off to kill hopefully less than 2 hours...

So I walk around Costco, read some oppo on my phone while sitting on Costco couches for a while, just kill time. I can’t stand being in the store any longer I find the next closest store. A Homedepot which is a 15min walk, so after walking around Homedepot for a while I head back to Costco and get some food to eat.

After eating I have manged kill almost 2 hours waiting for them to call me. I figure I would give them a call and see how much longer it would be. Of course no one picks up the phone. As I’m walking into the tire store I see my car in front moved and with new tires. I walk in talk to the guy at the desk grab my key and start walking out the door. I’m too pissed to even ask how long it has been and why did they not call me, or why they never pick up the phone. At that point I also realized something, the phone was ringing, and it was ringing every time I walked into that area, they just flat out ignore the phone.

3 trips, 11 unanswered phone calls, 2 phone calls never made to me, and a solid 6+ hours of my time. Fuck you.

Thanks for wasting as much time has humanly possible Costco, you will never see my face again.

Seriously Costco, Fuck you.

Rant Over.

DISCUSSION (39)

Future next gen S2000 owner > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 18:14

Tire rack.

tmanhwm > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 18:17

Not only is EVERY Costco Tire Center exactly like this, they will flat out refuse to install any tire that is not exact factory spec for your vehicle. My 1976 Datsun B210 with aftermarket rims? Nope, sorry.

Oh, and no mention of this anywhere on their website, so I didn’t find out until after waiting 25 minutes in line.

So. Much. Hate.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 18:18

I bought my tires at Costco. That was it. I got a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks at a great price and I recalled that their installation services are always booked or busy or first-come-first-serve... whatever it was back then it was still bullshit. I actually had my dad buy the tires since I don’t have a Costco membership and I paid for them, but the girl working the counter apparently didn’t even know if she could sell us the tires (wtf does that even mean, you sell the fucking tires).

In any case, tell them to give you the tires and go to your favourite shop for mounting/installation. Costco may even mount the tires for you but if you’re at that point, they may as well just install the damn things on your car. The shop was working on other cars that day as well, so I did have a 1.5 hour wait, but I went to a nearby diner, read my book, and a few chapters and an eggs benedict later, my car was winter ready.

As much as I like Costco’s selection and overall quality of product, I fucking hate going there. It’s always a madhouse, and it’s incredible to see how much people fill their carts up with all sorts of club-pack-sized shit.

I will concede that the hot dog/drink deal is awesome. Love that shit. The poutine deal is amazing, too (although I don't know if US Costcos have that).

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > tmanhwm
01/13/2016 at 18:23

I had a 1975 B210, 4-door Mediterranean blue, that ohv 1.5L really kicks some yeah... Oh well it was only $500 and did me right for two years.

TheHondaBro > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 18:26

Strange, I’ve only had good experiences with Costco Tire Center. A month after getting new tires, I puncture a sidewall. I take it to Costco and they replaced the tire for free.

E92M3 > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 18:31

They are probably under staffed, and customers in the store take priority. Making courtesy calls, and taking calls is probably their last priority.

I once worked at a place that was understaffed, and no call was ever answered in a timely manner. Every single customer was pissed. The people in the flesh because of the turnaround times, the people on the phone for having to listen to hold music for 20+ mins. EVERY SINGLE ONE. Despite our pleas to hire more people. It’s an absolute miserable environment to work in. After a while you just DGAF anymore, or you quit. With the high turnover even more time is wasted helping the new replacements. What a helpless feeling to HAVE to waste time training someone that’s going to quit as soon as they are offered another job.

That’s probably why the tires and installation is so cheap. They keep a short staff of underpaid workers. If they had adequate staff the extra overhead would be passed down to the consumer.

“YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR”

tmanhwm > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
01/13/2016 at 18:32

Ha!

Luckily the freeway onramp near me is down hill...I can just about get to 50 before I merge. 55 when there’s a good tailwind.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 18:36

At least you’re better off dealing with Costco Tire than calling up AMD for shitty drivers.

5 years worth of waiting because of a defective R9.

vicali > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 18:37

They do alright by me, although I see why people get upset with the first come first served policy..

I’ve also never had them install, I just drop off my wheels and have them mounted, then pick them up the next day when they are done.. Keep them from getting all size crazy as well;

Them; ‘What are these for?’

Me; “a Subaru.”

yitznewton > TheHondaBro
01/13/2016 at 18:39

I’m 1-for-1 good experience getting all-seasons for our Sienna, including one warrantied replacement no questions asked. No outlandish waits either... maybe it’s the location.

someassemblyrequired > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 18:39

I live a mile from the warehouse at their HQ and they are advertising the you know what out of the fact they now take appointments. They usually try new things out at that store so it may be they are getting the memo that the status quo’s not working, but even though it’s the closest tire shop I still get my tires from Tire Rack.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > tmanhwm
01/13/2016 at 18:41

My throttle stuck to the floor once, I didn’t bother to do anything for about 6 miles because the road was level then slightly up hill, might have hit 60.

Takuro Spirit > E92M3
01/13/2016 at 18:54

Precisely this. When you go to a place that costs more because the employees are PAID for what they do (i.e. commission) they tend to treat you better because you put food on their tables.

TheHondaBro > yitznewton
01/13/2016 at 19:24

Could be.

That's gonna leave a mark! > ZDMW
01/13/2016 at 19:40

Buying tires at Costco is for retired people who don’t have 9-5s or kids to pick up from wherever. Go back when you retire.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > gin-san - shitpost specialist
01/13/2016 at 20:12

Costco cafeteria is too good.

Dave the car guy , still here > E92M3
01/13/2016 at 21:09

That’s the exact situation where I work but we are only short staffed on Saturdays. I could be waiting on counter customers , getting parts for 4-5 techs while fielding questions from our car salesmen all at the same time. I’ve had to become a wizard at multitasking but if the phone rings I have to ignore it until things calm down. If I don’t recognized the caller ID and I’m on another call I’ll try to call it back later but regular customers and our cars in the shop come first. Its just the way things are.

thebigbossyboss > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
01/13/2016 at 22:17

LOOOOL

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/13/2016 at 22:31

even though the caf at mine has a limited selection, they are great for value, Pizzas and hotdogs are great (even had a cappucino this morning). I also work at a Costco, but not for them, great cheap lunches.

Master Cylinder > gin-san - shitpost specialist
01/13/2016 at 23:03

The poutine deal is amazing, too (although I don’t know if US Costcos have that).

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? They definitely don’t. This is a great injustice.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > gin-san - shitpost specialist
01/14/2016 at 00:20

Poutine is pretty much the only thing I miss about living in upstate NY near the border with Canada. I’m really surprised it hasn’t caught on with all of our lazy fat asses down here in Texas.

Also, the Tire Center is a mad house every time I go to Costco. I love Costco, but no way am I doing tires there.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
01/14/2016 at 12:32

American should like it, but really, if you have a soul, you’ll like poutine. I’d imagine in Texas you’d probably end up seeing chili fries or something along those lines rather than poutiness - nothing wrong with chili fries, either.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > gin-san - shitpost specialist
01/14/2016 at 12:42

Yeah now that I think of it chili fries aren’t really all that different than poutine, but I prefer poutine. Down here we also have the Frito Pie which basically involves pouring chili con carne and shredded cheese onto a bag of Fritos. These are mainly takeaway and at festivals, but you can actually get them on a plate at a lot of restaurants. Have never seen this north of Oklahoma. Now that I think of it I’m actually kind of surprised that you can’t get this at Costco down here, but maybe they want the same food at all US locations.

Kinja'd!!!

gin-san - shitpost specialist > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
01/14/2016 at 12:54

I didn’t realize it was that simple. I remember that Frito Pie would come up often enough in King of the Hill, but I never actually thought that it involved the Fritos snacks. I just figured the name was coincidental.

Oliver Barrett > gin-san - shitpost specialist
08/17/2016 at 11:08

I agree, hot dogs excellent. You will lick fingers :)

Michael > ZDMW
05/03/2017 at 02:32

This may be a year too late, but on behalf of fellow Costco Tire Center employees, I apologize.

Our Tire Center can be a total madhouse at times, and our wait time when especially busy can exceed three hours, but we always have time to answer the phone, always make the courtesy call when cars are done (or tires arrive), and we are very up front about realistic wait times.

Just last week we kept taking people in all the way up until we closed. I stayed at work for 45 minutes past closing to ensure that the last guy’s tires were done just as well as the first member of the day.

Again, it might be too late, but I would encourage you to bring up your experience with a manager. They need to know their employees were not working toward our standard, and I want you to know that most of us do care to do a good job and leave a solid impression.

You probably won’t be by my store (in Southern California) if you’re buying snow tires, but I hope you’ll give us another chance.

Mr. Practical > ZDMW
06/10/2017 at 08:45

Yeah that’s the way it works at Costco. I’ve purchased 4 sets of tires there over the years, some had to be ordered some were in stock. I’ve been there 30 mins before they opened so that I would be first or second in line and waited 90 mins to have them put on. I’m planning on purchasing another set and recommending that my son do the same this summer while he is on break from school.

Why? Because they sell top quality tires brands made by manufacturers for their own outlets. They provide a road hazard warranty, will rotate your tires every 5000 miles, will address any problem with a tire for me rather than me having to contact the manufacturer for a warranty problem.

They do a good job, I trust them and Costco will stand behind the products that they sell.

That’s why I will purchase my tires from Costco for years to come.

Cloudgeek > ZDMW
12/19/2017 at 08:48

For a guy who had Daddy buy him a new set of tires, you’re pretty pissed off. Calm down buddy. I’ve gone through a similar experience - though I had to pay for my own tires. My expectations s were just not that high. Those guys are busy. I just checked back in a couple hours and it was done.

I go to Costco to save a buck for very decent products. Sometimes we need to be a little more reasonable with our expectations. Otherwise, you’ll sound like a spoiled brat who has Daddy buy him new tires.

Tboneous > ZDMW
02/16/2018 at 23:49

I walked into the Costco tire service center this morning and had tires on my car I less than 45 min. Seems a bit over the top to damn all Costco tire service centers to hell because of one experience.

Dood-n > ZDMW
09/19/2018 at 17:33

Hmmm. This who thing seems off to me.

Saturday of this past week I ordered four new tires for my Tahoe online. I didn’t have to go to the store or call. I left a cell number and they called on Monday to let me know they received them at my warehouse and gave me instructions on how to go to the appointment website. I did so and got an appointment for next Tuesday. This was later than I wanted, but certainly isn’t the end of the world.

Granted, I’ve yet to actually get this set installed, but it mirrors the three or four sets I’ve had at Costco over the past several years. Are you sure you took the most efficient path to getting your tires?

PPP > ZDMW
10/10/2018 at 15:21

Your horrible experience could have been a good one with one simple change - time of arrival. I always show up when they open. If I can’t make it, I won’t even bother, because it’s always jam-packed. If you had been there early in the morning, you could have been out in an hour, and your perception of Costo Tires would have been a good one. I’m not taking anyone’s side but just saying that a slight change in tactic makes all the difference in outcome. Cheers.

The Prime Minister > TheHondaBro
11/17/2018 at 21:01

I’ve only ever had my tires rotated and balanced there once, but that was literally the longest, 7500 miles, that set of tires didn’t shake . ( I bought used rims that had very fun summer t ires mounted, and I used them for 25k miles. ) It was the Costco in Wilmington, NC... and I had to call for an appointment, but they were timely and courteous.

It's a Kilt, not a skirt > ZDMW
12/06/2018 at 07:16

That sucks. I had a kind of similar but overall better experience with my local Costco tire center just this past weekend. I ordered a set of Bridgestone Dueler Alenza Plus for my Frontier from Costco.com back in mid November for the $130 savings they offered . I received an email stating they were shipped shortly after. I did not receive a call or follow up email stating they had arrived. Costco.com said to create a separate account at Costcotireappointments .com to make my appointment, which I did. I had to change my appointment 3 times because reasons. I was able to make my subsequent appointments over the phone and in person. They answered the phone quickly and only ever had me on hold less than 5 min. It only took a little over 50 minutes for them to replace my tires and another 15 minutes for me to get my keys, pay for the new TPMS sensors and get my paperwork. TL;DR I would certainly buy tires from my local Costco for center again. My fiance also had a quick and painless experience getting tires for her Civic via making an appointment in person while we were there shopping a few months back.

It's a Kilt, not a skirt > ZDMW
12/06/2018 at 07:16

RealityDose > ZDMW
12/09/2018 at 11:08

Ummm asshole, did YOU fuckin ask the front desk guy to CALL you when the work was completed? Or did you just assume that he would call you because you left your phone number? The reason he took your number was in case of any urgent issues before or while the work was performed. But ya, I'm sure because you paid a measly $55 a year to shop there that YOU deserve special treatment and it didn't seem they were very busy with that 2.5 hour wait time /s. Dick.

RealityDose > TheHondaBro
12/09/2018 at 11:12

That's a false statement, because I know you still had to pay for old tire disposal fee, and tax even tho you may have received 100% credit on damaged tire. (its a pro-rated) warranty anyway. You just so happen to have an un-repairable fall within prob the first 1k or so miles after installation. Jus sayin.

ILoveCostco > ZDMW
12/14/2018 at 16:55

5 cars, 5 sets of tires at Costo. Always great service and prices. Won’t go anywhere else. Free air checks, rotation as milage required and get this, free patches on flats!!! whaaat!!! Yes it’s true, even if you don’t buy your tires at Costo they will gladly fill with nitro for free and do the patch repair for 10 bucks. Really guys, why go anywhere else than Costco?

WhaleOilBeefHooked™ > ZDMW
05/07/2019 at 14:50

When I got a set of Winter tires at Costco ... The first issue was getting an appointment for installation ... ONLY possible to do online ???!!!

Then as an HONEST customer , I had to remind them they forgot to bill me for 4 TPMS sensors ($220.00)

Then when I go to get in to my car to leave ... They had broken my Door HANDLE !!!

This could not be proven , So they of course denied it ($200.00) fix and I provided the parts !!!!

NEVER AGAIN !!!

lahmacun > ZDMW
07/23/2019 at 19:06

I never buy tires at Costco. They carry expensive tires and even if they give deals it is still expensive. I buy wherever I find cheap tires. For the price of one Costco tire I buy two. Who cares if its Michelin. Most of the time I end up selling the car before I even need to r eplace the tire...