If you were me...

[Enzoman]

And you just paid a shop to put new tires on and saw this...



And this...



Would you just live with it or make them do something about it? I left there thinking it wasn't really a big deal but after a day I cant help but look at this and think maybe I should have. I don't know where I'm going to find this color to match. What would you do?

Also, they pulled the factory wheel weights off the rims and threw them away. So there are no weights anymore. Is this common practice when balancing a new tire?

[Punx Clever]

If it was balanced well enough to not need weights, then you need no weights.... kinda doubtful though.  Either way, the original weights should be gone though.

I would get something for them make the beast with two backsing up your wheels.  Hell, if you were OK with the wheels getting chipped and not being balanced... you coulda done it yourself with some tire-irons.

[DucRS]

I would be mad as hell! Then I would come to the realization of "proof".

How can you prove they did it. It can soon become an ugly dispute. Sucks to be in this situation but I would definitely make a stink.  Good luck!

[yamifixer]

Sadly you can go back and see what they will do about it but if history is any teacher it will turn into a "we didn't do it" moment and unless you took photos prior to taking them you are stuck.

Been there. I take pictures now.

[Triple J]

I'd definitely ask about the wheel weights. If it needed them before then it likely needs them now. They could have used something like Dynabeads, but I doubt it. The original ones are always removed and replaced with new though.

I'd bring up the chips, but like Yamafixer said...tough to prove they did it.

[sbrguy]

well live and learn, good lesson for us all to now use our camera phones on our bikes when dropping them off at the dealer espeically when it coes to getting new tires put on.

[Nomad]

If it turns into a you vs them argument about 'proof'.... I have had a lot of luck filing reports with the better business bureau for that sort of crap when companies don't stand behind their own work.  It is a huge hassle for them to deal with that stuff, and usually produces a much more satisfactory result after you try and fail to go directly through the business.

[Enzoman]

The guy said that the wheel balanced perfectly without any weights on it and said it's pretty rare that it happens that way. I just never heard of that before. As for the chips, I did show them to the "technician" before I left. He tried explaining to me what happened and said he would take my word for it that the chips weren't there before tire change. I know they weren't because they were the original stock tires and I checked the rims before bringing it there because I just had a feeling this shit was gonna happen. He tried to blame it on the tire machine being at fault. He offered to bring the manager or shop owner outside to look but I was like make the beast with two backs it I gotta go. Ive never been to this place before but the price was so good on the michelines and the install I decided to go with it, and they did it while I waited. Now I think I'm make the beast with two backsed because I left and now they will just deny everything I'm sure. Going by some of these replies I think I made a bad decision.  

[Cloner]

+1 on the BBB option.  We've never had a complaint filed against us, but as a business that cares about its reputation within the community that would definitely get my attention.  I wouldn't let a complaint get that far, but if it did, that would perk up my ears.

You can probably get matching paint through Color Rite.

BTW, just a helpful hint to try to get a satisfactory resolution to your complaint.....when you go into the shop to lodge your complaint have a solution ready.  That is, think about what it would take to make things right for you.  Should the shop buy your touch-up paint?  Should they refund your mounting fee?  Should they repair your wheels or buy new ones?  If you'd be happy with either of the first two, the shop owner or manager probably won't even argue with you about it, as it's simply easier to do those things to keep a customer happy.  If you want new wheels or to have yours painted, they'll probably think long and hard, as those options cost more than they made on the transaction.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't expect to be made whole, but if you'd be satisfied with a refund of the mounting labor or them buying touch up paint, you're almost guaranteed to leave happy.

[mia monster]

I would be pissed. You can get a color match but it will never match 100% and on my bikes that's not good enough.

[Enzoman]

I would be pissed. You can get a color match but it will never match 100% and on my bikes that's not good enough.

I feel the same way, could probly search forever and never get the right color. I'm pissed because I take good care of this bike only to have someone else make the beast with two backs it up.

Looks like I'll be making a call, just need to think about what to say first like cloner said. I can't ride there today cuz it's raining.

[RAT900]

Avoid them when it comes to the valve shim check

[arai_speed]

Colorrite pen? I know it hurts, specially when the bike is sitting in the garage but rest assured that you can't see the scratches while you are riding the bike :-)

[corey]

yea man, i say chalk it up to lesson learned about that shop.
grab some touchup paint, fix her up as best you can, and go about enjoying your life.

is it really worth the hassle of going back down to the shop, talking (loudly, no doubt) about it, getting into a pissing match, MAYBE winning said argument, taking off your wheels, having them refinished or replaced (weeks of downtime), getting the tires REmounted (likely they will make the beast with two backs up AGAIN), and then having what you have now.... new tires, and a couple wheels with scratches...

live on my friend.


that being said, if you notice vibration issues due to poor/lack of balancing, i'd call them on it for sure.

[Monster Dave]

We learned a while back to photograph our bikes in detail before taking them anywhere or having them towed anywhere in the  event of just such a situation.

Unless you can prove that those marks weren't already there, there's not much that you can do about your wheels.


HOWEVER, what you can do is tell everyone who you know locally who rides about what happened and hopefully save others from a similar situation while at the same time you're putting the smack down on their local (bad) business habits.

Lastly, my major point of contention would be that you went in for tires, and they removed and threw away a part of your wheel. Those weights were yours as much as the bike in itself. Granted, not the most important part, but still, it's the point.

That's where I'd make an argument that they're operating unprofessionally. Call/email the Better Business Bureau.