Sir,
Well I didn't think I would be doing this after having been a Les Schwab customer ever since they built their store in town but this letter is a complaint to tell you I've finished with ever doing business with you again.
About a month ago I had some studded snow tires that I bought from your store mounted on some wheels. I took them home and on first signs of snow I put them on the front of my car which is a front wheel drive vehicle. (I'm quite aware of the Les Schwab policy not to install only two studded snow tires on a front wheel drive car.) On Friday December 21st, I went to your store to have the balance checked on the tires. They quite noticeably were vibrating at high speeds.
Your manager at the store very directly told me that they could not and would not work on my car because it was unsafe and told me to leave unless I was willing to buy two additional studded snow tires. He further stated that your policy prohibited them from working on it. When asked to see this in writing he pointed to your policy that they would not install only two studded tires on a front wheel drive car. The policy doesn't state that they couldn't work on it but that was what was told to me. You sold me the tires and mounted and balanced them on wheels. I installed them on my car.
You then washed your hands of any responsibility for them (?). I perfectly understand that you have a policy not to install them but you're taking this a bit too far.in fact the rational for your policy should apply to all cars, front and rear wheel drive vehicles, to have any merit for four studded snows on a rear wheel drive car is safer then having only two just as with a front wheel drive car. (An even better way to sell more tires.)
I left your store went to another tire dealer and service center and had the tires balanced. One of the tires by the way hadn't been balanced at all by your store and was in bad need of being balanced. On driving to Pocatello from Blackfoot I still noticed some vibration. I went to another very reputable tire dealer and service center where I decided to get two new rear tires for the car (not studded). All went well with no hassles other then a warning that I should have four studded snow tires on the car.
I have four vehicles, my son has one, and my girl friend as well. I drive a lot of miles on good roads and very snow covered roads. I understand the benefits of snow tires and studded snow tires and how the vehicles handle. I do have four studded snow tires on one of my vehicles but I know I don't need four on the one vehicle because of the type of driving I do with it. Until this incident I work with your policy to both of our benefit. At this point I can tell you that you lost a customer that has been very faithful for purchasing tires and having front-end work for many years. This goes for my family as well.
N addition I probably won't hesitate to reiterate my experience to friends and other family members in the area and let them decide on where to do business, as there are other very reputable tire dealers and service stores in the area.
Have a good holiday season.
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