Tire Reviews: Goodyear Eagle Authority (Walmart)

by Andy
(Jonesboro, AR. 72401)




Less than 2000 miles into my 50,000 mile warranty, one of the 4 new tires began to feel out of balance. I stopped on the side of the road and noticed the left rear tire had developed knots around the perimeter of the sidewall at 1 inch intervals, and was losing air.

I made it to a tire store 1/4 mile away, where the tire lost the remainder of its air. The manager at the tire store pointed out the knots at consistent intervals along the sidewall, and expressed concern about how the tire was separating and whether the others would do the same

Wal-Mart says: "SINCE I DID NOT PURCHASE THE EXTRA WARRANTY FROM THEM", Wal-Mart policy falls into place and returns of any used tires or snow tires of ANY condition, will not be accepted, and the associate stated I just "have to buy new ones..."



Editorial Comment:

From the description of the tire you've given I would suspect that there might be a defect in the tire itself which was not caused by a road hazard. In this case, the Walmart extra warranty would not apply, but the tire manufacturer's warranty against tire defects.

Of course, on seeing the tire my opinion could change.

As to the comment of the tire store which you visited, I fail to see how either a tire defect or some damage on one tire would put the other tires into danger of failing also. Tire defects very seldom come in bunches and road hazards also tend to only affect one tire at a time.

Have your damaged tire inspected by someone who is in a position to determine whether or not it may be covered under the Goodyear warranty for tire or manufacturing quality.

TG






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Tire Reviews: Goodyear Eagle Authority (Walmart)

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Jul 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Spare tire
by: Andy Simpson

Ha! My father asked the same question.

I must say that, while pulling in to the Gateway Tire Store driveway, I was thanking my lucky stars the sidewall started coming apart within a quarter mile of that establishment.

When the Gateway manager said the tire was irreparable and I needed a new one, I gave little thought to the alleged spare (having never seen it). However, as I purchased the car new, I am sure it is there.

None the less, I never gave a thought to the spare, just getting a replacement for the Goodyear and getting to work. However, spare would only have gotten me to a Wal-Mart with none in stock...LOL! Thanks again for the advice TG.
Jul 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Follow -up
by: Andy Simpson

The conversation with Wal-Mart took place over the phone, with no matching tires in stock, leaving me stranded at a Gateway Tire Store in Paragould, Arkansas.
I ended up calling a different Wal-Mart Representative 20 miles away, who told me they also had no stock.
Still stranded, needing a matching tire, I had the Gateway Tire people take off all four Wal-Mart Goodyear Eagle Authority tires, and put on 4 new TOYO Extensa HP Tires. The manager knew I was in a pickle and put them on for less than $300.00, total. Heckuva Guy.

I ended up at the wal-Mart where I bought the tires, and one tech stated "these tires have been run flat, no doubt about it" I assured the manager they had not, that I watched the one tire finally go flat in a parking lot. Long story short, I pointed out that none of the tires showed any wear when measured for tread depth.

A different Tire Manager (who looked strangely like Kid Rock), was kind enough to take a look at the tires, agreed with me and promptly issued a refund (even though he didn't have to. ANOTHER scholar and a gentleman.



Editorial Comment:

I hope from this experience that you haven't sworn off all Goodyear tires, because of your experience. I'm certain that if you had a defective tire, which are very rare, and it had been seen by a person who was authorized to make adjustments by Goodyear, that you would have had the tire replaced with no argument.

Possibly, you felt in a desperate situation and went to a non-Goodyear shop, so you were faced with making a choice between following their advice or being stranded.

I'm happy for you that the Walmart manager agreed to settle the issue without any further squabbling, the only question that comes into mind is why you didn't put on the spare tire and then head to the nearest Walmart tire center to have them deal with the problem.

TG

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