In Late February/early March this year, I had bought a set of tires for my DeLorean from Art's Tire Warehouse in San Antonio. The car was and is still undergoing restoration. Since the car wasn't drivable, I brought the wheels down to the shop and they replaced the tires with Uniroyal Tigerpaws. The price was fair and George Lambkin was quick and helpful to reply. I went with this shop because they were the only place I found that could find a matching set of tires for this car (front and rears are staggered).
The car has been on jackstands and the tires on the shelf as I've been working on the car. In the last couple weeks I have been able to get the car running to the point I can drive it to test things and work out issues. So I put the tires on the car for the first time and drove it. During the first run I had iced an issue with the front left tire.
The tire would typically hold air while driving, but after about 20 to 30 minutes after, it went totally flat. This has happened a total of 5 times and I have put less than 20 miles on the car and tires since I've got it running.
I was able to pump it up with my air compressor and then it would typically hold air until I drove it again. Because of this issue, I drove the car to discount tire (because it is right by my house) to see if it was something easily remedied; they wouldn't touch it for a couple reasons.
1. They were concerned that if the bead or seam was broken, due to their liability requirements, they would not be able to put it back on the wheel or the car.
2. The age of the tire was another concern. When looking at the tires they showed me a date code on all of them. The two rear tires were made in mid/late 2014, but the front tires were both manufactured in early 2008.
To be honest, I was surprised to learn this as I had just bought them a couple months back.
There are obviously a lot of reasons to be concerned about tires aged nearly 8 years.
I emailed George Lambkin about what Discount Tire showed me and requested that we get the front tires replaced due to the obvious safety concerns; he replied simply "bring them in".
I dropped off the wheels and tires for the fronts yesterday morning and picked them up this morning. When I arrived, the first thing he said was "You're screwing me on these tires". Not what I expected so I asked him to elaboate. He stated that the tires had flat spots so he couldn't send them back for a credit. He then explained that the reason the one tire wouldn't hold air was because "I had punctured the tire on the side and that I was screwing him on the tires and his money".
In regards to the punture, I told him I did not puncture anything, the car had been sitting and the tires were alone on a shelp until just the other week and the problem started from the first time out. In regards to the flat spots I explained that I did have to slam on my brakes once because someone was coming over on me and I tried to avoid an accident, but I was lucky that given the age of the tires that they didn't shred or blow out causing harm to the car, myself or others. I also explained that none of this would be an issue had I not been sold old tires in the first place.
He said that the tires were fine and the age didn't matter. I explained to him about rubber deterioration and that there are countless articles and news about the dangers of selling old tires even if they've never been used.
He then said (and I will paraphrase due to language), my new tires were done (the new tires were still a little older, dated January 2013), and that he was offering no warranties on it so if something happened to them it was my problem. He told me take them, leave and not come back. I told him I'm sorry that he feels I am screwing him on the tires and that it really wasn't my fault but that up until now I had appreciated the service and communication and explained that my wife's Volvo needs tires and that I would love to give him the business so he could recover some of the cost he said he's losing on the DeLorean's tires. He aggressivly replied (again paraphrased) that he didn't want me doing him any favors, he wouldn't service the car and he refuses all business with me. I, now a little heated myself, responded with some choice words and left.
Bottom line, this man and company have total disregard for their customers safety and well being. Had these tires shredded, it could have cost me my car or even worse, my life, my wife's life or the life of some other innocent person. His demenanor and attitutde were uncalled for and inappropriate for any business owner or customer. I would strongly encourage those who value their safety to be careful when purchasing tires period, but especially avoid this place.
Art's Tire Warehouse Reviews
In Late February/early March this year, I had bought a set of tires for my DeLorean from Art's Tire Warehouse in San Antonio. The car was and is still undergoing restoration. Since the car wasn't drivable, I brought the wheels down to the shop and they replaced the tires with Uniroyal Tigerpaws. The price was fair and George Lambkin was quick and helpful to reply. I went with this shop because they were the only place I found that could find a matching set of tires for this car (front and rears are staggered).
The car has been on jackstands and the tires on the shelf as I've been working on the car. In the last couple weeks I have been able to get the car running to the point I can drive it to test things and work out issues. So I put the tires on the car for the first time and drove it. During the first run I had iced an issue with the front left tire.
The tire would typically hold air while driving, but after about 20 to 30 minutes after, it went totally flat. This has happened a total of 5 times and I have put less than 20 miles on the car and tires since I've got it running.
I was able to pump it up with my air compressor and then it would typically hold air until I drove it again. Because of this issue, I drove the car to discount tire (because it is right by my house) to see if it was something easily remedied; they wouldn't touch it for a couple reasons.
1. They were concerned that if the bead or seam was broken, due to their liability requirements, they would not be able to put it back on the wheel or the car.
2. The age of the tire was another concern. When looking at the tires they showed me a date code on all of them. The two rear tires were made in mid/late 2014, but the front tires were both manufactured in early 2008.
To be honest, I was surprised to learn this as I had just bought them a couple months back.
There are obviously a lot of reasons to be concerned about tires aged nearly 8 years.
I emailed George Lambkin about what Discount Tire showed me and requested that we get the front tires replaced due to the obvious safety concerns; he replied simply "bring them in".
I dropped off the wheels and tires for the fronts yesterday morning and picked them up this morning. When I arrived, the first thing he said was "You're screwing me on these tires". Not what I expected so I asked him to elaboate. He stated that the tires had flat spots so he couldn't send them back for a credit. He then explained that the reason the one tire wouldn't hold air was because "I had punctured the tire on the side and that I was screwing him on the tires and his money".
In regards to the punture, I told him I did not puncture anything, the car had been sitting and the tires were alone on a shelp until just the other week and the problem started from the first time out. In regards to the flat spots I explained that I did have to slam on my brakes once because someone was coming over on me and I tried to avoid an accident, but I was lucky that given the age of the tires that they didn't shred or blow out causing harm to the car, myself or others. I also explained that none of this would be an issue had I not been sold old tires in the first place.
He said that the tires were fine and the age didn't matter. I explained to him about rubber deterioration and that there are countless articles and news about the dangers of selling old tires even if they've never been used.
He then said (and I will paraphrase due to language), my new tires were done (the new tires were still a little older, dated January 2013), and that he was offering no warranties on it so if something happened to them it was my problem. He told me take them, leave and not come back. I told him I'm sorry that he feels I am screwing him on the tires and that it really wasn't my fault but that up until now I had appreciated the service and communication and explained that my wife's Volvo needs tires and that I would love to give him the business so he could recover some of the cost he said he's losing on the DeLorean's tires. He aggressivly replied (again paraphrased) that he didn't want me doing him any favors, he wouldn't service the car and he refuses all business with me. I, now a little heated myself, responded with some choice words and left.
Bottom line, this man and company have total disregard for their customers safety and well being. Had these tires shredded, it could have cost me my car or even worse, my life, my wife's life or the life of some other innocent person. His demenanor and attitutde were uncalled for and inappropriate for any business owner or customer. I would strongly encourage those who value their safety to be careful when purchasing tires period, but especially avoid this place.