Merchants Tire, Tire Kingdom, NTB TBC Corp. TBC Corp Is Owned By Sumitomo Corp Of Japan Conned me into buying new Run-Flat tire by saying Run-Flat tires could not be repaired. I later found out this was a lie. Ripoff Multiple Cities Nationwide

a flat can cause more damage to a tire than you think so just because all you saw was a flat tire doesn't mean that there wasn't another problem with the tire and there could have been any number of things wrong with the tire that warranted the possibility of a repair null and void. 

it seems to me the guys at merchant didnt know what they were talkin about----i am a tech and i have patched run flats--it is fine-----you can also plug run flats or any other tire i may add---a plug works best when it is right on the shoulder and you cannot grind the inside of the tire to patch it cause you grind the sidewall----somehow plugs got a bad name---plugs are inferior to a patch though--in time sometimes--plugs dry up and leak again---safety issues no----i have heard some dumb crap that because when you plug you seperate the steel cords---umm--this already happened when the nail went through dumbass's------now for the poster who makes a good point--but is comparing apples and oranges(being a muffler repair in comparison to a tire repair)---regardless of the facts-----dude got ripped off cause the tech and manger dont know there own field of work----here is where things may get better----depending on the mileage--and tire wear--it may have been more unsafe to sell you 1 tire-----a long time ago---i had 2 bald tires in the rear--one went flat and i put the spare on(brand new tire)--i kind of wiped around a turn in the rain and i fishtailed like a mother fuc'r----this was my fault--but what if i needed to make an evasive manuver in the rain???--you never know when shit happens-----so what i am getting at---is that if one tire was more bald(depending on how much) and then just put one tire on--i KNOW this is more unsafe----do you see where i am goin with this!!!!!!-by the way--to the author---corvettes suck--they have no manuverabilty--the only thing that car is good for is goin fast in straight lines and makin old guys feel young and they can still get pun tang!!!--other than that--a pointless car--but at least not to much of a pain in the ass to work--basically to me--that car is just stupid--sorry man

As a former service manager i promise u were advised to take to dealer as tk could not repair and that dealer would offer and be able to repair tk cannot and will not repair so as far as ripoff you should have asked dealer of repair process and not listed tk as  ripoff thanks tire pro,Run flat tires are known not to be repairable but by only authorized dealers.

Yeah, take your flat tire to the dealer to have it repaired. Good luck. How about this for a response from them for your problem- "Hmmm, Corvette...this guy is driving a new(er) Corvette and wants a flat repaired. What he really wants is a new set of the latest, greatest tires for his car to optomize its performance. Even though it only has 1400 miles on it (or 10000 or 30000) this guy has money enough to afford a Corvette so guess what- We dont have time to screw with patching a tire for him either, same as the tire store he just left."

Buy a new tire or buy a Ford Escort and whine about $20 for fixing a tire like the rest of us. When you have a $40 tire you are allowed to gripe about paying half its value to solve the problem with it. When you have a 20-75,000 car just chalk it up to 'operational expense', pay the money, and stop whining about how they justified making you believe you needed it.

Cousin Freds Tire and Plumbing Supply would have just stuck a tire plug in it and let you go, but a reputable facility of any kind would have told you that although it is ok to properly patch a tire, there is no substitute for replacing a damaged piece of your automobile with a new part.

Consider this- If for some unknown reason your car was to backfire and blow a muffler apart at the seam and you took it to your favorite local muffler shop only to be told "hey, no big deal, lemme pound this muffler back into shape. I can weld it back in place and it will probably be ok"....what would you think? Is that an OK repair for your Corvette?

Not unless you just fell down and bumped your head on something. You want OE replacement parts for your water pump that goes bad, you want superb quality brake pads for it, you want hoses that wont break day after tomorrow...so in other words you want your 2nd MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT OF YOUR LIFE repaired properly.

Don't hold it against your tire store for giving you the same level of service you expect from someone you may take your car to. Just because you are mad because YOU (not THEM) caused damage to your Corvette, do not give them crap about wanting to repair it properly.

And as for the obvious 'Well, they will make alot more money replacing it over repairing it' excuse, dont be so sure. Unless you are fortunate enough to have a tire supplied by a manufacturer directly at a substantial discount to your retailer, chances are that they will only profit a few bucks on your transaction. Perhaps they can make it up by selling you that set of tires for your Escort....like the rest of us have.

Run Flat tires are not considered repairable. As for the call to make a repair, this call rest with the repair facility not the tire manufacture. As for you claim that Goodyear states this tire can be repaired, per Goodyears own information, they do not indorse or warranty tire repair, and caution against the repair of any tire that has been used while under or uninflated.

From the Goodyear replacement tire warranty: (((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))PROPER TIRE REPAIR
NOTE: Goodyear does not warrant any inspection or repair
process. The repair is entirely the responsibility of the repairer
and should be made in accordance with established Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) procedures.

Road hazards (includes, but not limited to, punctures, cuts, snags,
impact breaks, etc.).

Is it safe to repair a flat tire?
(((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))

If a tire loses all or most of its air pressure, it must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to be sure it's not damaged. Tires that are run even short distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most punctures, nail holes, or cuts up to 1/4 inch -- confined to the tread -- may be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods. Don't repair tires with tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch, or any sidewall puncture. Also, never repair tires which are worn below 1/16 inch tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tire is always ready to do the job. Check it regularly for proper air pressure and be sure that it is in good shape. If your car is equipped with one of the several types of temporary spares, be sure to check the spare tire's sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations. See Goodyear retailer for expert tire repair.


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