Sears Automotive Taken Advantage Of Windsor Hgts Iowa

I had a low front tire so I pulled into the Sears Automotive located on 73rd in Windsor Hgts. I asked if they would check the tire. I went back with the tire guy who could not find anything wrong with the tire after taking it off the rim. I was the one who spotted the finishing nail and before I could say, "stop", the guy pulled the nail out.

Conveniently, they couldn't patch the hole because it was too close to the sidewall. So the manager went to look for a tire that was compatible to the tire on the other side of the front end of my car. Also conveniently, they didn't have a tire to match my one remaining front tire. So, now I need two tires.

Keep in mind, all four tires on this vehicle are all weather radial tires. Continential was the brand.

So the manager recommends two new tires and, what can I do; I know absolutely nothing about tires and the guy explains that they are compatible with the tires on the rear of the vehicle and will perform well for me..."OK, I say." Not to play the "girl" card, but as a woman, and being completely out of my element, I make the sad assumption that even though these guys seem incompetent,that they've had some sort of training and know what they're doing. Bad assumption.

The two new tires are mounted (I have to show the guy how to access the lug nuts using a special tool in the spare tire compartment that you use to remove the hub cover), and, about $300 lighter in the wallet, I leave.

This happened in mid November. December comes and so does the snow. I'm feeling very confident because I have new tires on the front of my front-wheel drive vehicle. What I can't understand is how I'm spinning in the smallest amount of snow. Now, the bigger snows come and I can't get anywhere! The slightest incline and I'm stuck. It's been absolutely treacherous driving and am scared crazy now every time it snows. Even the smallest amount of snow has me spinning and sliding.

So I go to my dealer, tell them the whole flat tire story and have him look at the tires. Apparently, what they put on my car are not all weather radials but a sport tire that's recommended for dry pavement conditions...good for cornering maybe? Worthless on snow or ice.

I have been unsucessful in getting a hold of a manager when I call this location and frankly am really reluctant to even go back there. They were completely unprofessional and seemed completely unqualified to do the work. I would not trust them to do any additional work on my vehicle! Who knows what serious damage could occur. It could be worse.

I feel completely ripped off!

Kerry in des moines
Des Moines, Iowa
U.S.A.