I had Costco put a set of BF Goodrich g-force sports about 5-6 months ago.
I got a non-repairable puncture on one of the tires the other day, and when they were going to replace it for free under warranty, the manager refused to install anything BUT runflats since I have no spare tire. it's their new policy or something..

so what they are saying is, since they don't have runflats in stock, i can go somewhere else and buy a set of tires, and they will refund my 6 months old (and 13000 miles on them) tires 100% for the price of new...

hmm...

 

Thats pretty stupid. They shouldn't care if you want runflats or not.

 

that's what I thought. but this is what they said;

"if you get a blowout, or a puncture on the freeway, we don't want you to get stuck and us be responsible for it."

 

cough, BS, cough.

How do they know you don't have a compressor and a can of that gooey stuff?

 

FWIR, Costco will not service any tire size/type that isn't OEM. I tried buying a set of 205/17 for my Acura once, and they refused stating policy that since my car comes with 195/15, that's all they' sell me. This was years ago, my friend was working there and he said they'd mount the tires if i brought the rims in, but they wont service it when i drove w/ them on.

I don't know what the official policy is, but i stopped shopping the tire section.

 

Yes, Costco is very tough on only installing the OEM tires. That is not a new policy. I am surprised they installed the BFG non-run-flats in the first place. Sounds like they are willing to pay 100% for a new set, so that is a pretty good deal.

At the tire store I went to, I had to sign a waiver statement on the work order to authorize them to install non-run-flats.

 

I can confirm that it's Costco policy to only install tires that match the OEM tire size. Insisting on the run-flats is a new one to me, but it seems likely considering their existing OEM tire policy. Costco doesn't want the fitment issues, and potential liability, associated with mounting other sizes. I had my last set of tires done at Costco, and they did a great job for a very reasonable price, and their tire warranty is first-rate and included in the tire price, but I guess you'll just need to look elsewhere if you want to change your tire size from the OEM spec.

 

You can tell them that you'll never be stranded, since you have the MINI care advantage!

 

I had to fight with Costco to put non-run-flat slightly off-oem-size tires on my 2004 MCS about 4 months ago, but they eventually relented.

 

I understand your frustration, but despite everything, you gotta love the fact Costco is gonna give you a full refund on tires you've used for 13,000 miles.

That company never ceases to amaze me.
Rich

 

I always make sure to deal with a tire shop that uses this: http://www.hunter.com/PUB/product/ba...159T/index.htm

I also always make sure they put the balancing weights inside the wheels.

 

get your money back.. in full.. no prorated

go somewhere else.

 

I agree with wvphoto, this is an opportunity to get better tires, if you want. It's just a liability issue. They don't want it if something bad happens. Can't blame them for CYA.

 

Sam's Club is the same; they will only install factory recommended tires.

I have a Colorado Crewcab Z85 that I bought a set of Z71 wheels for and wnted tires mounted and the new wheels put on. They refused me because the original wheels/tires on the car were not the Z71s.

Told me it is requirement of their legal department.

 

Get your money back from Costco (all of it) and go to Discount Tire or buy your tires from Tirerack.com and all will be well again...
I bought my tires from Discount Tire after they matched the Sams Club price plus an additional percentage off (can't remember how much).
By the way my new tires are non-runflats from Goodyear and I love them.
They are quieter, smoother and look really sharp.
They should also outlast the 9k Pirelli's that were on there.

 

NOT on the tire treads!

 

=

Not on the inside of the wheel

 

I don't get their liability argument should you get a flat with your non-runflats. Their offer to give you your money back and let you take your business elsewhere is certainly commendable.

If you are patronizing them because of price, just ask your new tire retailer to match their price. Most will do it. IMHO one of the reasons to utilize a specialist and not a big-box store.

 

I am with swflaboy. Go to a good independant shop and get considerably better service. A dealer that will that will sell you the tires you want at a reasonable price. The independent dealer near me will balance and rotate your track tires on the rim for free for the life of the tire. Better than saving 10% at costco or walmart

 

I would bet they have either been in court about this,or someone tried to sue them and they are acting upon the advice of a lawyer.Q

 

Costco will rotate your tires for free every 10k mi too,unless of course you've got wear on the tires, then they still make you wait the hour, and tell you they didn't do anything because they don't rotate tires with wear on them, but I can buy new ones. This was with my last car, the MINI will never see the likes of their laziness.

 

So WHAT??? Did Costco pay 1/2 for YOUR Car...I DON'T THINK SO!!
Tell them to shove it and take your business else where!!

 

There are places to cut costs on your car but to me the tires is not one of them. I always take my vehicles to a dedicated tire shop. I've been patronizing a local Discount Tire shop in my neighborhood for years and always get competitive pricing, free rotations and flat repairs, and good service. The thought of taking my MINI or Porsche to a Walmart or Costco to save a few bucks makes me cringe.

 

F*** CostCo. Tires should be purchased at tire shops, not big box megamarts; ask anyone who's purchased cheapo tires at Wal Mart and have been disappointed. I have the G-Force Sports as well (awesome tires) purchased thru Discount and they've been nothing but great. I run them in spring summer and fall and the OEM all-season runflats in the winter.

 

Discount tires refuses to change or rotate my tires because I installed wheel studs instead of the factory stud bolts. Since it is not OEM they will not work on the car in case a stud comes loose and causes an accident. I used locktite RED and cured them for 24 hours. They will never come out. Very frustrating