Just so we’re all on same page.
I was not trying to defend or minimize the damage or employees’ actions in my above post.
I used the word “slip” in diplomatic sense, and internally to myself in sarcastic sense.
You had to be there to catch my facial expression.
All 4 wheels damaged is outright incompetence and neglect.
It’s possible you have combination of both types of damage. Face scratched from being laid on floor and from the tire machine.
The deep gouges with clear missing are very likely from tire machine.
The lighter scratches, especially if they criss cross randomly in different directions, can result from being on floor.
If they’re mostly in same direction, likely machine again.
Like Mike says, they treated your wheels like they would a set of run of the mill steel wheels from a random daily driver, who’s owner would never notice. That’s sad.
There should not be double standards.
Also, not a defence either but simple fact, older and/or heavily used high volume machines can become more prone to causing damage.
With the heavy use and time all their pivot points and lock mechanisms wear and the tolerance of each point increases, making the machine less sturdy, especially the arm that they use to pry the tire off and then put back on.
It that arm is loose, even the best tire technician can damage wheels.
But that is where integrity of shop owner and front counter personnel comes in.
The shop has a responsibility to keep equipment in proper working condition.
The counter personnel should screen jobs and be honest with clients.
We have been having issues with our machine lately, I would hate to damage one of your wheels.
Can we reschedule to next week after we have our machine serviced?
Or, let me check with my best tire technician to see if we can work on your wheels safely.
And yes, poorly trained personnel and or personnel who don’t care.
Sometimes the poorly trained are trying their best but simply aren’t cut out for it.
The worse is the poorly trained employee who also doesn’t care.
The counter person knows the strength and weaknesses of their staff.
We will do those tomorrow because our best tire technician is not in today.
Sorry, this all too late for you, Charlie.
But there is worth in doing due diligence even with tire shops.
I’m very picky about that.
For example, when I did the new wheels on my ‘15, I highly doubted the equipment we had in one shop was up to the task.
I consulted and decided to send the wheels to our other dealership where they had newer, state of the art equipment, and competent personnel to do the job.
Plus I added an extra caveat that there was absolutely no rush.
I made sure this was clear so no one on the other end would rush the job through.
To avoid feeling the need on their part to give it to the next available technician.
And probably more importantly, to not do it until the tech is fresh and ready to do the job.
One thing we don’t think about is that nice expensive wheels place added pressure on the tech.
If it’s a professional tech that takes pride in his or her work, and cares, they know the minute they see the wheels.
Ok, I got to get my A game on.
Can’t screw up on these babies.
You know what, it’s been a long day and it’s getting late.
Now that I’m aware that I have these to do, I’ll just set them aside and do them tomorrow morning when I’m well rested and ready.
