[john1006]

On Friday, March 14th I had an appointment to have a tire repaired on my SUV. I made the appointment Thursday and advised the service writer that there was a nail in the front left tire. I arrived about 20 minutes early and checked in. About 10 minutes after the appointed time I asked why other vehicles were being serviced while I waited. Was advised that it was like a doctor's office, sometimes things take longer and we had to wait. After waiting for about 1.5 hours my car was taken into the shop. Several minutes later I noticed that my car was on a lift and the hood was open. When ask why the hood was open I was advised that it was their policy to inspect all vehicles prior to completing repairs. My response was that I just wanted the tire to be repaired, no inspection was necessary. (the vehicle was recently serviced by a Honda dealer and the tires were rotated) They insisted that their policy required that the complete the inspection due to potential liability issues. After a brief discussion they completed their inspection and began work on the tire. Several minutes later the technician doing the work came to the office area to advise the service writer that the tire had two nails and further that the wear was uneven and there was dry rot. A few minutes later a "senior" technician invited me to the service area to show me the uneven wear (non-existent), and the dry rot (also non-existent). He then advised me that they could not repair the tire and further that I needed four new tires. Using somewhat colorful language I advised them to remount the tire and return my vehicle to me. Several minutes later the technician drove my car out to the parking area where I was waiting. Based on the recommendations of another customer at Tire Choice I took my car to Sumter Tire on Rte 301. I was greeted in the parking lot by a technician, advised him that my tire had two nails in it. He directed me to a space near the building, used a hydraulic jack to lift the wheel, patched the two holes and I was out of there in about 20 minutes. Be careful where you take your car, some unscrupulous service companies target seniors and especially senior ladies. But that is another story.

[JohnN]

There are other threads about how awful Tire Choice, Colony is. I have had a truly bad experience there, too.
Stay away is my advice.

[retiredguy123]

I agree. I stopped going to Tire Choice years ago because of dishonest practices.

But I have also stopped going to Sumter Tire because of high prices. I saved $900 by using another shop to replace an AC compressor. If you need an expensive auto repair, you better shop around before hiring Sumter Tire.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree. I stopped going to Tire Choice years ago because of dishonest practices.

But I have also stopped going to Sumter Tire because of high prices. I saved $900 by using another shop to replace an AC compressor. If you need an expensive auto repair, you better shop around before hiring Sumter Tire.

Who did you use, and is he still in business? We used to use Bobby at AcuTech on 301, but they didn't renew his lease and put up a storage facility.
We never found out if he's still in business somewhere. He did excellent work at very fair prices.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by JohnN

There are other threads about how awful Tire Choice, Colony is. I have had a truly bad experience there, too.
Stay away is my advice.

I’m surprised that this place is still in business. After all the horrible stories here and other media, I would think they would be investigated. Like one of those hidden camera tv shows in the past. I hate to hear when people are taken advantage of, esp seniors like us. It’s criminal. I would never go there for any reason. Surprised there are not boycotts or people with signs outside….

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Who did you use, and is he still in business? We used to use Bobby at AcuTech on 301, but they didn't renew his lease and put up a storage facility.
We never found out if he's still in business somewhere. He did excellent work at very fair prices.

I used Michael's Auto in Fruitland Park. His price for a new AC compressor was $1,500. Wildwood Tire and Firestone also quoted $1,500. The Sumter Tire price was $2,400. They were also higher on a price for new tires and an AGM battery.

[bobeaston]

Wildwood Tire, near the intersection of 44 and 301. Not only excellent tire service, but other general automotive service as well ... and they only do what you ask. I started at Wildwood with the exact problem you had. They fixed that tire quickly and got me on my way.

[Ignatz]

I went to Sumter Tire for an oil change and they did just fine.

The nice lady did suggest for me to buy four tires due to dry rot and abnormal wear but she was not pushy or anything.

If anything she has me monitoring tire wear and air pressure on a regular basis.

I will definitely keep going there for auto work.

[Angelhug52]

Originally Posted by john1006

On Friday, March 14th I had an appointment to have a tire repaired on my SUV. I made the appointment Thursday and advised the service writer that there was a nail in the front left tire. I arrived about 20 minutes early and checked in. About 10 minutes after the appointed time I asked why other vehicles were being serviced while I waited. Was advised that it was like a doctor's office, sometimes things take longer and we had to wait. After waiting for about 1.5 hours my car was taken into the shop. Several minutes later I noticed that my car was on a lift and the hood was open. When ask why the hood was open I was advised that it was their policy to inspect all vehicles prior to completing repairs. My response was that I just wanted the tire to be repaired, no inspection was necessary. (the vehicle was recently serviced by a Honda dealer and the tires were rotated) They insisted that their policy required that the complete the inspection due to potential liability issues. After a brief discussion they completed their inspection and began work on the tire. Several minutes later the technician doing the work came to the office area to advise the service writer that the tire had two nails and further that the wear was uneven and there was dry rot. A few minutes later a "senior" technician invited me to the service area to show me the uneven wear (non-existent), and the dry rot (also non-existent). He then advised me that they could not repair the tire and further that I needed four new tires. Using somewhat colorful language I advised them to remount the tire and return my vehicle to me. Several minutes later the technician drove my car out to the parking area where I was waiting. Based on the recommendations of another customer at Tire Choice I took my car to Sumter Tire on Rte 301. I was greeted in the parking lot by a technician, advised him that my tire had two nails in it. He directed me to a space near the building, used a hydraulic jack to lift the wheel, patched the two holes and I was out of there in about 20 minutes. Be careful where you take your car, some unscrupulous service companies target seniors and especially senior ladies. But that is another story.

Wow! I pulled in to the drive waty there with a total flat. . So very nice! The gentleman in the garage took a look,said simply let's get the spare on and get you on the way. I have tire insurance and wanted to go to my dealer.i never even got to the office to sign in. Sounds like the employees you encountered were having a bad day.For the record...Sumter on 301 is wonderful,they fixed a few tires for me years ago.That day Colony was around the block from where the flat occurred.

[rsmurano]

I went to colony to get 4 new tires and then went to Sumter tire and they were hundreds cheaper. I usually go to Sumter tire for my oil changes and tire work.

[La lamy]

Tire Choice on 441 in Lady Lake tried to up-sale me too. First it was my power steering (not a problem), then it was the tire puncture wasn't repairable and I needed new tires. They were one year old!!! Told them I was going somewhere else and they tried to keep my car's specific lug nut which I made sure to check was back in my spare tire area. Scums. Of course I was able to get it repaired at Honda dealership and it's been fine for over a year.

[jimbomaybe]

[QUOTE=Tvflguy;2416560]I’m surprised that this place is still in business. After all the horrible stories here and other media, I would think they would be investigated. Like one of those hidden camera tv shows in the past. I hate to hear when people are taken advantage of, esp seniors like us. It’s criminal. I would never go there for any reason. Surprised there are not boycotts or people with signs outside….[/QUOTE

Being something of a cynic I think the reason that little is done to control predatory businesses is because the governmental agencies that control business licenses receive no support to do so. Our politicians live on donations, business groups and interests make large donations. Try to find out how many business licenses have been revoked for fraudulent practices ? connect the dots

[JoelJohnson]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Who did you use, and is he still in business? We used to use Bobby at AcuTech on 301, but they didn't renew his lease and put up a storage facility.
We never found out if he's still in business somewhere. He did excellent work at very fair prices.

I used him also and miss him too!

[eeroger]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I used Michael's Auto in Fruitland Park. His price for a new AC compressor was $1,500. Wildwood Tire and Firestone also quoted $1,500. The Sumter Tire price was $2,400. They were also higher on a price for new tires and an AGM battery.

They are also more expensive than the Chevy dealer on SR 44 for an oil change. After reading all the great recommendations re: Sumter Tire I brought my vehicle in for an oil change & discovered that it was $29 more expensive than the dealer price.

[yporter]

Originally Posted by john1006

On Friday, March 14th I had an appointment to have a tire repaired on my SUV... took my car to Sumter Tire on Rte 301. I was greeted in the parking lot by a technician, advised him that my tire had two nails in it. He directed me to a space near the building, used a hydraulic jack to lift the wheel, patched the two holes and I was out of there in about 20 minutes. Be careful where you take your car, some unscrupulous service companies target seniors and especially senior ladies. But that is another story.

We found a metal piece in our car tire last week and AAA gave us two recommendations (Expert Auto Center in Fruitland Park and Accurso Auto in Oxford). I called both, and since Expert picked up their phone (Accurso went to voicemail) we tried them. They were extremely responsive, said come on over, took a look immediately and removed the metal shard then advised my husband that it wasn't deep enough to need a patch and didn't even charge him. We will definitely go back when we need other services. Very refreshing; honest, quick, and absolutely no upselling!

Expert Auto Center
3487 Highway 27
Fruitland Park, Fl. 34731
352-315-1212