GCR Tire Center GCR Tire Center - Overpriced & Scamming Customers Horseheads, New York

GCR Tire Center of Horseheads, NY Ripped me off.

I was informed by a mechanic at another repair shop that I should have my valve stem replaced on my right-front tire on my Jeep Commander as it was deteriorating from corrosion.  This mechanic informed me that the cost would probably be around $80 and unfortunately they did not do tire repair.  The high cost was due to my vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system.

I decided to contact GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY and another tire repair service to have it repaired.  I was prepared to pay around $50-$100.  I called GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY and told them I need a valve stem replaced. GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY told me that could repair it right away.  The other shop was unavailable to do it that day.  So being free at that moment I went to GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY.

I took my Jeep Commander over to GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY.  Gave them the keys and waited in their waiting area.  The counter associate came back about 15 minutes later to tell me that my car had a tire pressure monitoring system and that replacing the valve stem on my tire was going to cost a little more.  He brought the sensor out to show me.  I said "sure, go ahead and repair it."  He said he would have to see if he could get the sensor first.  I said, "Ok".  He came to me after a few minutes and informed me that the sensor would arrive in about 30 minutes.  I waited about 15 minutes and got curious about how much they were going to charge me.  At this point, I have not been given a quote or verbal recognition of how much they are going to charge to do this work.  So I asked and he said that he would look it up.  A moment later he came to me and told me around $200.  I though wow, thats pretty ridiculously expensive.  I immediatly walked outside and called the other shop (not GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY) to get a price on that repair on my vehicle.  They (not GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY) said it was going to cost a little more on the Jeeps; they (not GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY) said it would cost a total of around $70.  I told them (not GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY) that GCR Tire was charging me $200.  They (not GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY) asked me if they were replacing all 4 valve stems?  I said "No, just 1."  They (not GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY) were dumbfounded as to why they would charge that much.

I immediately went back in and told GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY to stop everything.  I made it very clear that I felt I was getting ripped off.  I also told GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY the price I got from the other garage and was also told by another mechanic that it would cost around $80.  I asked why am I being charged 3X the amount that other garages are charging for this?  The counter associate at GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY was so dumbfounded that he thought he made a mistake in the quoted price.

A few moments later, a manager from GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY showed up and told me that they would have to charge me for the work they had already completed and for removal of the new valve stem.  I told GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY that I don't care, I will not be getting it repaired here at GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY.  They still charged me $87 for farting around.

I ended up getting it repaired at the other shop for $75 and still saved about $50 even after paying GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY $87 for nothing.

I have since called several area tire repair shops about the price of this repair and could not find one place charging even half what GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY charges.

Why is GCR Tire Center in Horseheads, NY charging 3X what everyone else charges?  GCR Tire in Horseheads, NY are ripping people off!