Tiger Wheel & Tyre

mechwarrior said:
Hi guys

I have a 2013 VW Polo Comfortline. Last week, I had my mechanic replace the lower control arm bushings. This incidentally, as it does, puts the alignment off and therefore took the vehicle for wheel alignment at Tiger Wheel & Tyre (did 2x tyres one time while I was there).

The guy did the wheel alignment (the cost was R300 and some change for all four wheels). Shortly thereafter, he came to me and told me that he has done the alignment, it is basically done, but to get it to be perfect (whatever that means, I assume properly in spec.), it would cost me an extra R1050 (yes, 1 thousand and fifty)!

Earlier, I had issues with buying tyres online etc. and had to wait for payment verification from head office before they changed my tyres and did the alignment. Due to this, and while still flabbergasted, before I could answer, the sales lady told the tech to do the job and don't worry about the cost because of the trouble I had had sorting out the initial order.

He then continued to do the wheel alignment (which took an additional 30min) and gave me print outs to show current positions vs the specification etc. Car feels great so I believe it must be right.

Now, my question is, is this for real?? I understand that the alignment would be out of wack after the mechanic changed the LCA bushes, and he would have aligned the wheels enough to drive. What I do not understand is how alignment works, but to me its either 'in' or 'not in' and in doing alignment at TWT, paying R300 I would expect them to get the alignment to be 'in'. Does this happen at other branches and other providers too?

Additionally, when reading TWT terms and conditions, they state there could be extra costs for wheel alignment?

If the sales lady didn't interject, I would never have paid the money. Makes me cautious to go to TWT for anything again. Googled everywhere and couldn't find any posts with a similar issue.

Thoughts please?
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I think they sensed you had a legal warrior on your side and that is why they didnt scam you!
 
Hit a pothole last week which destroyed the left rear tyre. Stopped to put on marie biscuit spare & discovered my jack had grown legs & run out of the boot at some stage.

Drove to Sup-Quick at Morning Glen Shopping Centre which was about 500m away.

Quoted me R1,400-00 to replace the tyre & balance it. Bit of a shocker seeing as I had 4 new ones put on in November at Rivonia Tyres for R790-00 each incl. balancing & alignment.....

Told them to just put the spare on, then phoned Rivonia Tyre (whilst standing in front of the bloke who quoted me), confirmed loudly that it was still just R790-00. Tipped the chap that put the spare on R50-00 & drove 5km's to Rivonia Tyre.
 
Some vehicles need shimming to get the alignment just right (usually on the rear wheels), instead off just in the ball park of accepted values and this is a much more involved process than what is done in a normal alignment, hence the extra cost. My Civic is like that. The amount of change when doing alignment is very limited, and to get the specific values I wanted, I would have needed shims. I'm not saying this is the case with the OP, but it is something to keep in mind.
 
Tokia branch in the SS tried the same stunt with me. Used my black Friday deal on both my wife's car and mine. The guy first called me and indicated my one rim was a bit buckled and told me a fix will cost R1100 to fix. Afterward the chap that did my alignment said the left side was way out and they would charge me about R850 for the job. I told him I must still replace the bushes as it's busted.

Told him no and he looked abit miffed.
 
SykomantiS said:
Some vehicles need shimming to get the alignment just right (usually on the rear wheels), instead off just in the ball park of accepted values and this is a much more involved process than what is done in a normal alignment, hence the extra cost. My Civic is like that. The amount of change when doing alignment is very limited, and to get the specific values I wanted, I would have needed shims. I'm not saying this is the case with the OP, but it is something to keep in mind.
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Had the same experience with a CR-V but in my case it was not shims, I was told that certain body mods would have to machined.
 
Bit of a revival, but had them try the same!

TWT told me know they can't do the adjustment it will cost me an extra R1100 but they will do it for a special of R600 (They told me this when they had loaded the wrong car into the alignment system - but thats another story). I told them its fine they are still within tolerance, they weren't happy. Then to top it all off I said they can't test drive the car, i see my car driving off for a joy ride (It's a performance car). Will never go near a TWT again.
 
I actually had 3D wheel alignment done at Supaquick last week. The rear was out quite a bit and the front needed slight adjustment. I watched what the guy was doing and he explained everything while doing this. No extra charges, and looking at what he was doing, I cannot see how TWT can charge an extra R1100. Supaquick also charges R300 for 3D wheel aligntment all round.
 
WaxLyrical said:
By charging a fortune - to those who don't know better and want to feel safe behind the wheel.
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I just have to look in my neck of the woods...

Within 1km of the TWT in Pinetown there are at least 6 other tyre places who are all cheaper... Hell there is a Supaquick on the other side of the street, and a different place almost next door to TWT...
 
ToxicBunny said:
I just have to look in my neck of the woods...

Within 1km of the TWT in Pinetown there are at least 6 other tyre places who are all cheaper... Hell there is a Supaquick on the other side of the street, and a different place almost next door to TWT...
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Maybe their tyres are cheaper and they have a bigger range and once there they con you into these exorbitant alignment costs.
 
WaxLyrical said:
Maybe their tyres are cheaper and they have a bigger range and once there they con you into these exorbitant alignment costs.
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Honestly, I dunno...

Last time I got a quote from them they were easily 25% more expensive than the competition.... so I just ignore their existence when it comes time to get tyres these days...
 
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