How Good is the Firestone Warranty?

So I blew a tire the other day. A Firestone tire; installed by trained, competent Firestone technicians. Backed by the iron-clad Firestone warranty. We drive on these Firestone tires enough; I’m not going to argue that point; but we’d just gotten an oil change very recently (within the last five hundred miles) and with that we’d gotten the “filling, balancing and alignment” of our tires that all the oil change places pride themselves on. So while I was standing on the side of Rte 17 in the middle of Jacksonboro South Carolina, waiting to be discovered by someone, needless to say, I was distressed. How could this be? Firestone is such a reputable name, isn’t it?

Firestone Warranty: The Geico Problem: I’ve spoken before about Geico and in this instance they were no help whatsoever. Granted I should probably have a GPS, Blackberry, iPhone, or other some such gadget but I don’t want one. And anyway shouldn’t my auto insurer be able to locate me? This is what I pay them for. Anyway, it took Geico more than an hour to send someone out to get us in the middle of the day on a Saturday; so there’s that. (If I’d had a more reliable looking jack I would have thrown the darn spare on myself!)

Firestone Warranty: Spinning Spun: My tiny little spare tire got us back to civilization and when I rolled up to the dealership I’d already been standing out in the brutal June mid-day South Carolina sun well over an hour. So I was already feeling a little loopy anyway. I told my good men at Firestone what had happened and told them I’d just gotten some new tires from Firestone! Surely they still had to be under warranty! (Most of these Firestone tires had warranty’s in excess of 40K) These good men pulled up my info in their computer, located the situation, peered at the popped tire, and assured me that yes I was still covered under their preferred warranty! Oh, well, this must surely cover me from any damages to this stalwart tire!

Firestone Warranty: Truth About Firestone Warranty: I have a whole separate piece about the hypocrisy of the Firestone Warranty; you can read that piece HERE. Needless to say the Firestone Warranty didn’t cover me for anything! While my tire was still covered under their warranty, Firestone couldn’t really honor the warranty, “100%.” Okay, well what does that mean? “Well we can cover 50% of the price.”

…mmmm.

Eah, whatever, I’d been standing out in the heat all day, the place was about to close, I didn’t want to spend another day with this as an issue; I simply signed off on the deal and let them do their magic.

My total? For an $80 tire? With 50% off? …$81.16.

Firestone Warranty: Warranty is a Joke: I hold no umbrage against the guys working at a Firestone auto shop in South Carolina on a Saturday at closing time. I mean they aren’t the ones making policy at Firestone central. But what the heck Firestone? What is this warranty even worth? Why should anyone get their tires done at your place? Ever!? When I had a home and was a townie in high school and college, I used to bring my cars to this local mechanic in my neighborhood. He was independent, he did good work, and I’d like to think he charged me a fair rate and guess what? I never had an issue due to poor quality products my independent mechanic installed! Never!

This most recent incident with Firestone auto care is reason enough for me to question everything that this company has ever told me about my car and to seek out a good, quality, fair, local mechanic in lieu of corporate auto maintenance.

Source:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5461270/firestone_limited_warranty_close_up.html?cat=27