To: bovik@cs.cmu.edu
Subject:  Goodyear Tires, purchased at Wal-Mart, warranty void because owner transferred tires to second vehicle
References: <7m79cb$rl3$0@208.198.205.198>
From: ralucav@gs41.sp.cs.cmu.edu
Date: 10 Jul 1999 10:32:39 -0400
In-Reply-To: "George Miklas"'s message of 10 Jul 1999 11:04:43 GMT
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"George Miklas" <harmonicat@pathway.net> writes:

> Hi folks,
> 
> I am posting this article so that others can avoid voiding their
> Goodyear/Wal-Mart warranty.
> 
> One month ago, I traded in my 91 Ford Van for a 95 Ford Van and had the
> Ford dealer switch my tires for the deal. But before the trade of vehicles,
> I had been having tire trouble. Each time that it didn't feel right, I
> would take the 91 in to get the tires rotated and balanced. When I got the
> 95, I first took it back to the dealer to get a front end alignment, then
> back to Wal-Mart to get the tires rotated and balanced. 
> 
> Well, all of this hit the fan within a one-week time period. Last week, I
> took the 95 into Wal-Mart to get the tires rotated and balanced because I
> was planning on a 600 mile trip and wanted to get rid of the slight pull--I
> thought that it needed balancing. When I left the store, I felt a thumping
> and harder pulling to the right. Well the store was closed that night, and
> I thought of just pulling into any Wal-Mart along the way if I were to
> experience any more problems. Well, my family made the trip without any
> incident except on the way home, I felt the thumping get worse, and the
> pull was directly off the road if I took my hand off the wheel. 
> 
> This afternoon, I went back to Wal-Mart and told them of to pull off the
> right front tire and look at the rim and tire for defects. Sure enough,
> there was a broken cord circling the rim at about 2 inches out from the
> rim. We inspected the rest of the tires and ALL of my tires had this same
> defect, however the RF was the worst of all. 
> 
> The manager was pleasant and quick to recommend the obvious to me--I needed
> new tires and Goodyear needed to get these back to development and testing.
> Then we looked at my paper work. I had bought these tires when I owned my
> 91 E-150 and the manager told me that since I didn't own that vehicle
> anymore, the tire warranty is now null and void. I said, but I bought them
> here, and there is only 13,000 miles on these tires--I should have gotten
> back about $250.00 of the $350.00 that I paid Wal-Mart about one year ago. 
> 
> Of course, I didn't want another Goodyear to save my life for one...and I
> didn't want the aggressive tread design of the other like-priced
> tires....so the only option for me tonight was Michelin LTX. Yes, I did end
> up with a superior tire, but then I paid a superior price for them. Total
> bill before tax was $517, and the manager was nice to give me a $40.00
> adjustment, but the bottom line with tax was still an unexpected $479.00.
> That is alot to swallow.
> 
> Now, I feel that I should get back roughly 60-75% of the price that I paid
> for the Goodyears because there is about that much tread left on them. But
> the manager has told me that I voided the warranty...btw: I also bought
> Wal-Mart tire protection plan. 
> 
> Okay so tell me, am I grasping at straws here? or do I have a case to write
> a letter to Goodyear and Wal-Mart? or do I have a case for small claims
> court?
> 
> Right now as it stands, the manager did not make out a claim so these tires
> are going to be thrown away and Goodyear will never know that I had a
> defective SET of tires. I feel that Goodyear needs to know.
> 
> Please reply to my email address
> George Miklas
> harmonicat@pathway.net