2009 Dodge Ram Laramie came with Goodyear HP (275/60R20) tires

So I'm in the market for new tires. After speaking with several people, I was advised to go with the General HTS. I found them at a good price, considering what the other 275/60R20's were going for.

Now I needed to find some place to have them installed. I tried several mom and pop shops, that did not want to be bothered, and I even tried Dobbs Tire and Auto (http://www.gotodobbs.com/index.php).

Dobbs could not get the tries, so I asked them how much to install the tires if I bought them somewhere else. The person on the phone was insistent on knowing what year Dodge Ram I had. I finally told him, and then he said it would cost an additional $25 per tire because I have TPMS. This is where I get pissed. What does having TPMS have to do with him installing new tires on my old rims? I am not asking him to reprogram TPMS. I do not need new sensors, the ones I have work just fine, all I am is asking them to do is take off old tire, put on new tire, balance it, and put it right back where they found it. Which is what they do if I didn't have TPMS. Now, if I was installing 24 inch tires on new rims, then they would have to remove the sensors, which are located on the inside of the tires at the fill valve held in place with a nut, and require a specific torque when being tightened. Then I could see some up-charge, but not $25 per tire, but this argument is completely moot, since I am not doing that. I want new tires on old rims with old sensors and with current programming

Ok, so before I report consumer fraud to my states Attorney General's office, I wanted to know what does Dobbs, and all of these other tire companies who charge extra to install tires on vehicles equipped with TPMS do that would warrant this $25 up-charge? Not everyone knows how TPMS works, so anyone who uses one of these companies is being gouged for having a new technology in their vehicles. So in my opinion, this is price gouging, which is illegal.

I did use NTB (national tire and battery) http://www.ntb.com/ to install my tires. No up-charge, no problem what so ever, so again, what is this TPMS up-charge that Dobbs and many others want to charge?

Thanks

 

Its their insurance in case they damage one. You have to be a lot more carefull when mounting and un mounting rims with TPMS sensors

 

Thats why shops carry liability insurance.

Its a bull**** scam. Ive left shops due to this reason, I went back to one shop after they "tried" pulling it on me, and now they dont try it.

 

Not only that, we put some winter rims and tires without sensors and the light does not come on nor does any bells or anything but when the wheels with sensors one of them goes low it lets youknow.

 

The extra is for the kit...it is a kit that has new rubber for the stem, and is SUPPOSE to not be reused, its just like putting on a new valve stem, The valve stem is made onto the TPMS and is not replaceble, you REALLY dont have to change the rubber out if they are pretty new, most shops wont do the tires unless you get the kits because of warranty, just get them at Napa and bring them there it will cost you less and they have no quarrel with that. below is the kit picture and a TPMS picture, the rubber goes around the stem sealing it off, if you look around you can just buy the rubber pieces ,but i cant remember where that was, its up to you if you want the old rubber seal in there or not.Napa part number #NTH 920210 they cost 4.00 each bring them 4 boxes ,and they cant say a thing

 

had my factory TPMS removed from stock rims and put on new rims and have had no problems and that was over a year ago.

 

Money grab dam it.

 

By law, Price Gouging may be charged when a supplier of ESSENTIAL goods or services sharply raises the prices asked in anticipation of or during a civil emergency, or when it cancels or dishonors contracts in order to take advantage of an increase in prices related to such an emergency.

Call your State's Atty. Generals office. They'll explain to you that you have NO case for Price Gouging, hang up and then they'll have a good laugh.

Just choose to use a shop that DOES NOT up-charge for TPMS equipped tires, let people know thru media like this forum which shops do and do not charge for the service and by all means, let the vendor who charges for it know why you are NOT giving them your business. But this is America and just as much as YOU have the right to do business wherever the hell you want, a business has just as much right to charge you whatever the hell they want for their product or service. Provided they are up-front about it...

 

For what it is worth, the local firestone dealer charged me $4 per wheel for the TPMS seal kit today, which was instead of paying the normal $2-$3 for a new valve stem.

 

Now that sounds more like what I have been hearing.