- Report: #9914
Complaint Review: Les Schwab
| Les Schwab 646 NW Maderas HWY
Prineville, Oregon U.S.A. |
|
Les Schwab ripoff studded snow tire policy *REBUTTAL ..YOU ARE AN IDIOT
*General Comment: Studs on all 4 against the LAW!!!!
*General Comment: if the tires are being used unsafely, it's not the tire maker's fault!
*Consumer Comment: BIGGER THAN BRIDGESTONE ?
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Rebuttal from Ex Les Schwab Employee
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Rebuttal from Ex Les Schwab Employee
*General Comment: its not a law, thats right.
*REBUTTAL Individual responds: No State Law !!
*Consumer Suggestion: Front axle studs
*Consumer Comment: Yes, you are an idiot
*Consumer Comment: Yes, you are an idiot
*Consumer Comment: Yes, you are an idiot
*Consumer Comment: Yes, you are an idiot
*Consumer Suggestion: Try It...
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Schwab lost, in a lawsuit. The company, worth over a billion dollars
*Consumer Comment: Company refuses to release their own studies
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Common Sence
*Consumer Comment: Sincere Motives, I am the wife of an Les Schwab Assistant Manager.
*UPDATE Employee: studded snow tires
*UPDATE Employee: studded snow tires
*UPDATE Employee: studded snow tires
*UPDATE Employee: studded snow tires
*Consumer Comment: Help Please, could you clearly explain ..
*Consumer Comment: The tire industry has found a new way to gouge the American consumer.
*Consumer Suggestion: Too Much Moon Shine Pal
*Consumer Comment: Could you please call me when you are driving
*0: YOU ARE AN IDIOT
Does your business have a bad reputation?
Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
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.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 12/24/2001 12:00 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Les-Schwab/Prineville-Oregon-97754/Les-Schwab-ripoff-studded-snow-tire-policy-REBUTTAL-YOU-ARE-AN-IDIOT-9914. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report.
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Les Schwab
If you would like to see more Rip-off Reports on this company/individual, search here:
Search Tips#1 General Comment
Studs on all 4 against the LAW!!!!
AUTHOR: Bob F - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, November 25, 2012
I live on a mountain and use that parking brake to control my decent, and go down the interstate just fine. The biggest thing is to brake multiple times to test the conditions and drive accordingly...I drive by people with 4x4 and SUV's all the time in the ditch because they think their invincible.
Check this out:
An Act To Allow the Use of Only 2 Studded
Tires on Front-wheel-drive Vehicles
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA 1919, sub-2-A is enacted to read:
2-A. Front-wheel-drive vehicles. A person may operate a front-wheel-drive vehicle with
tires having metal studs protruding from the tire treads on the front wheels only.
Sec. 2. Rules amended. The Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police shall amend
by rule the Maine Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual to reflect that front-wheel-drive vehicles may have
studded tires on the front wheels only. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules
as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
SUMMARY
This bill allows a front-wheel-drive vehicle to have studded snow tires on its front wheels only.
#2 General Comment
if the tires are being used unsafely, it's not the tire maker's fault!
AUTHOR: play by the rules - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Monday, November 12, 2012
#3 Consumer Comment
BIGGER THAN BRIDGESTONE ?
AUTHOR: Kwtrucks - (USA)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, November 10, 2012
#4 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Rebuttal from Ex Les Schwab Employee
AUTHOR: Budmann - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, November 10, 2012
I understand your frustration (as an ex-employee of Les Schwab) as a customer. However, the Les Schwab policy pertaining to studded Snow Tires on all four wheels of a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicle, is not only for your protection but theirs as well. As the last rebuttal stated, "Les Schwab was sued for a large sum of money by a family in tragedy due to an automobile accident." It was proven avoidable if all four wheels had been properly installed with four (4) studded tires.
At this time, Les Schwab, being the upstanding business and family man he had always been, implemented a policy that states, "If a vehicle is a FWD vehicle, all four wheels must be installed with (4) studded snow tires for your protection. If the vehicle is in an unsafe condition upon arrival; then a Les Schwab employee can be terminated for working on it, unless he or she intends on fixing the unsafe condition." This unsafe condition is evaluated and brought to the customers attention with a complete plan to solve the problem.
In your situation, it was determined by a qualified employee that your vehicle was most certainly in an unsafe condition! This is not only excellent advice from Les Schwab, it is supported extensively by vehicle safety experts! Crash Test Dummies are our friends!
Let's get to the root of your frustration; I believe you knew Les Schwab's policy and tried to circumvent the policy by installing your tires at home! You bought tires from a company that stands behind their product 100% and would have changed out your normal tires (AND BAG THEM), meanwhile, install your snow tires to all four wheels with a proper balance for the life of the tires at no additional charge. Then come Spring, reinstall your normal tires.
You are under the impression that a Les Schwab employee was concerned with selling two tires, when he or she was more concerned with your safety and his or her job. The company that allowed you drive off the premise with an unsafe vehicle is fortunately (for them) that wanted your money and had no regard for you, your family, or your safety!
Think about it....
Had you left the last tire shop, knowing full-well that Les Schwab attempted to educate you in Winter Safety, and you or one of your family members was unfortunately involved in an accident; I guarantee you would have sued the last company for letting you drive off in an unsafe vehicle! If you attest otherwise, then you are not only ignorant, but a d*mned liar!
It is people like you as to why we have warnings in, on, and around everything! For example, "DO NOT EAT" the dry packet in electronics, don't feed the Lions, etc. You are the one he was talking about when he said, "Oh look! A VCR and a Pack of Gum!!!" (Jeff Foxworthy, 1993)
#5 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Rebuttal from Ex Les Schwab Employee
AUTHOR: Budmann - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, November 10, 2012
I understand your frustration (as an ex-employee of Les Schwab) as a customer. However, the Les Schwab policy pertaining to studded Snow Tires on all four wheels of a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicle, is not only for your protection but theirs as well. As the last rebuttal stated, "Les Schwab was sued for a large sum of money by a family in tragedy due to an automobile accident." It was proven avoidable if all four wheels had been properly installed with four (4) studded tires.
At this time, Les Schwab, being the upstanding business and family man he had always been, implemented a policy that states, "If a vehicle is a FWD vehicle, all four wheels must be installed with (4) studded snow tires for your protection. If the vehicle is in an unsafe condition upon arrival; then a Les Schwab employee can be terminated for working on it, unless he or she intends on fixing the unsafe condition." This unsafe condition is evaluated and brought to the customers attention with a complete plan to solve the problem.
In your situation, it was determined by a qualified employee that your vehicle was most certainly in an unsafe condition! This is not only excellent advice from Les Schwab, it is supported extensively by vehicle saftey experts! Crash Test Dummies are our friends!
Let's get to the root of your frustration; I believe you knew Les Schwab's policy and tried to circumvent the policy by installing your tires at home! You bought tires from a company that stands behind their product 100% and would have changed out your normal tires (AND BAG THEM), meanwhile, install your snow tires to all four wheels with a proper balance for the life of the tires at no addtional charge. Then come Spring, reinstall your normal tires.
You are under the impression that a Les Schwab employee was concerned with selling two tires, when he or she was more concerned with your safety and his or her job. The company that allowed you drive off the premise with an unsafe vehicle is fortunately (for them) that wanted your money and had no regard for you, your family, or your safety!
Think about it....
Had you left the last tire shop, knowing full-well that Les Schwab attempted to educate you in Winter Safety, and you or one of your family members was unfortunately involved in an accident; I guarantee you would have sued the last company for letting you drive off in an unsafe vehicle! If you attest otherwise, then you are not only ignorant, but a d*mned liar!
It is people like you as to why we have warnings in, on, and around everything! For example, "DO NOT EAT" the dry packet in electronics, don't feed the Lions, etc. You are the one he was talking about when he said, "Oh look! A VCR and a Pack of Chicklets!!!" (Jeff Foxworthy, 1993)
#6 General Comment
its not a law, thats right.
AUTHOR: john - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
#7 REBUTTAL Individual responds
No State Law !!
AUTHOR: Bob - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, December 14, 2011
what is going on here is the tire companies pushing for a 4 tire sale! that is the fact till the state or DOT (department of transportation) makes it a law then they can not force you to BUY or INSTALL 4 studded tires they also have no proof that with a front wheel drive car 4 studded tires make it safer!! point is they would have that report posted on there walls and windows!!! but they can not do that as they have no PROOF!!!!
Now it would be nice too have 4 studded tires on all cars and trucks but in todays market? who can afford that?
Now as a business dealing public!! till matters are made the law by state or federal then the customer is always right!! now as a business that is why they have salesmen to talk you into what THEY WANT to SELL you not what you want
17 years dealing with les schwab 2 cars and a truck stop going there in 1999 5 kids all with there own cars and truck
and not 1 tire bought from les schwab since 1999 due to this same issue
#8 Consumer Suggestion
Front axle studs
AUTHOR: Hasbro - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, December 15, 2004
#9 Consumer Comment
Yes, you are an idiot
AUTHOR: Robert - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, December 14, 2004
#10 Consumer Comment
Yes, you are an idiot
AUTHOR: Robert - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, December 14, 2004
#11 Consumer Comment
Yes, you are an idiot
AUTHOR: Robert - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, December 14, 2004
#12 Consumer Comment
Yes, you are an idiot
AUTHOR: Robert - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, December 14, 2004
The adverse handling will be worse than no studs. Stopping and steering are much more important than the ability to get moving. To have balanced steering and stopping any vehicle must have adequate traction at every contact point.
Don't be stupid in your pursuit of thrift.
Doug Gundlach
#14 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Schwab lost, in a lawsuit. The company, worth over a billion dollars
AUTHOR: Bret - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, December 03, 2004
But beyond that, Schwab lost, in a lawsuit. The company, worth over a billion dollars, tried and failed to convince a jury of average people that it should NOT be held liable for the choices it's customers were making in relation to the two, or four debate.
If you think YOU present a good arguement AGAINST 4 tires, think what the Companies arguements looked like, with a billion dollars to back them. And yet, they lost. YOU, the avergae person, decided that THEY WERE LIABLE if you crashed and died. It's that simple.
Anyway, do business elswhere. Plenty of outfits have nothing to loose and will surely mount 1, 2, 3, or 4 snow tires, as you desire. Schwab has a lot to protect. It could buy Firestone, Goodyear, AND Sears US divisions two or three times over. Don't believe me? The ENTIRE Sears outfit just sold to KMart, you know, the outfit that only last year pulled out of bankruptsy. And Firestone, the company that's gone belly up twice in twenty years.
#15 Consumer Comment
Company refuses to release their own studies
AUTHOR: Lee - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, December 02, 2004
#16 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Common Sence
AUTHOR: Bret - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, December 02, 2004
The act of putting, physically removing and then reinstalling, two wheels mounted with studded tires, and only two, IS the point.
I'm utterly confused as to how you don't understand this. You knew they wouldn't take off the studded tires to begin with, as they wouldn't be able to put them back on again. You knew this as evidenced by the fact that you originally put them on youself! Why would you then drive to the store and ask them to do the very same thing?
THEY CAN'T INSTALL STUDDED TIRES ON ONLY THE FRONT AXLE! Actually, they will, and can, remove them. But they CAN'T put them back on.
This whole debate seems goofy. The Manager at that store didn't make the policy anyway, nor any employee you've ever spoken to. They're all doing what they've been told. And what they've been told is that the Company no longer wants to assume the financial liabilities of installing only two front axle studded tires. The accident that happened here in my home town of Newberg, Oregon, in the mid 90's cost Les Schwab a few million dollars in legal settlements, and a lot more in bad press. Not to mention the folks who died, of course. The Jury agreed that to mount ONLY two front snow tires on the front axle of the mini-van these folks were driving was dangerous, and something that a proffesional tire company should have known better than to do. Therefor, they agreed that Schwab held financial responsibility in the deaths of this family.
And there are people out there, to this day, that think Scwab came up with this policy all on their own to make money? Would you like the name of the jurists who sealed this fate for every Les Schwab customer? I can probably find them easily enough in the files of the local paper, The Newberg Graphic.
Sure, they could choose to continue with the policy the way it was, basically no policy. But that would be a slap in the face to these jurists who found Schwab liable in the deaths of this family for a LACK of such policy.
So you know what? Write your complaint letters to the relatives of the dead family here in Newberg, not Schwab. I doubt you'll get any sympathy though.
#17 Consumer Comment
Sincere Motives, I am the wife of an Les Schwab Assistant Manager.
AUTHOR: Elizabeth - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, October 07, 2004
#18 UPDATE Employee
studded snow tires
AUTHOR: Angie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, September 01, 2004
#19 UPDATE Employee
studded snow tires
AUTHOR: Angie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, September 01, 2004
#20 UPDATE Employee
studded snow tires
AUTHOR: Angie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, September 01, 2004
#21 UPDATE Employee
studded snow tires
AUTHOR: Angie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, September 01, 2004
#22 Consumer Comment
Help Please, could you clearly explain ..
AUTHOR: Darren - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 22, 2004
For the benefit of someone like me who has done all of his driving in places without snow and now living in a place that does snow... could you explain clearly exactly what the problems are?
Instead of calling someone an Idiot or a Moron (which closes off a person's desire to listen to what you have to say) could you clearly explain how many studded tires on what kind of car... and the benefits and disadvantages of each.
Actually I was a bit surprised, because when I moved to Wisc. and asked about studded tires for my Firebird I was told that they were illegal here. Instead I bought a cheapo FWD car for the winter.
In indeed this wasn't a rip-off by the tire store, then a clear, professional explanation as to why this is done for a customer's safety would reflect much better on the company and the person making a rebuttal.
Thanks,
#23 Consumer Comment
The tire industry has found a new way to gouge the American consumer.
AUTHOR: Leslie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, January 05, 2004
When you try to pin down any tire company for documentation such as accident studies or an independent study by the Department of Transportation, you get the same reply, How many death certificates are needed to believe us.
As a consumer, I do not blindly except any companies claim they are just looking out for my safety. The old saying would is true A fools many is soon parted if you don't question the bold claims without documentation from an independent source that supports the claim.
Until there is a study conducted and verified by the Department of Transportation you will need to register complaints to the BBS and your elected representative. And do like many consumers, have the tire company install studded snow tires on extra rims that you mount yourself that denies the tire company the extra business.
#24 Consumer Suggestion
Too Much Moon Shine Pal
AUTHOR: Ernie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, December 05, 2003
I have been a customer of Les Schwab for many years and I can say without any question that the staff of Schwab is very safety conscious - If they tell me to do something with my car, or NOT to do something, then I LISTEN!
All the money he saved buying 2 extra studded tires will help him pay for a niceer funeral when he finally kills himself or some innocent person in his path!
#25 Consumer Comment
Could you please call me when you are driving
AUTHOR: Frank - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, December 05, 2003
That way I can make sure I am not on the road with you!!
How do you think they were going to balance the tires without taking them off of the vehicle and then re-installing them on your car??
The re-installation of the tires after balancing sounds like a violation of their company policy, which it sounds like you understand.
You sound like someone who needs to think of your own safety and the safety of others a little more.
Sometimes doing it right costs more money. Congrats to the manager for sticking to his guns and not setting up his company for a multi-million dollar frivilous lawsuit.
Les Schwab is a pretty good company to do business with, hopefully you are not to stubborn to realize that you are wrong.
Their email: shane@hrtobacco.com
Their name: Shane
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion
Rebuttal:
YOU ARE AN IDIOT. I hope I don't come accross the same path as you while you are losing control of your car and taking a chance on your life and putting other in danger. You should follow up on some serious accidents with vehicles and 2 studs on front. Yes they are covering their BUTTS, they are also thinking of your well being.
Les Schwab was sued for several million $, they settled. A front wheel drive vehicle lost control killing innosent people in another car. and those tire shops not following their lead in this policy is in for a rude awaikening when they are sued for this, it's called neglect.
The rear of a FWD vehicle can break free of traction to cause loss of control. A RWD vehicle is totally different, ther is no need for 4 studs. It will help steering in real severe conditions, but you wont lose control like a FWD. Please do some
investigating on this matter. I'll bet you start driving on 4 studs. Stop being an IDIOT and putting your life and others at risk. P.S. When you put on 4 studded tires you wont be an IDIOT anymore.

