Complaints of tire stores exploiting the Firestone tire recall by overcharging or lying to consumers who bring their vehicles in for the recall.

FORT LAUDERDALE, 8/17 -  A consumer advocate site warns that consumers are being scammed by tire stores using the Firestone recall to exploit unsuspecting consumers into spending money on tires and services they do not need.

"We have complaints that some stores charge people to replace the Firestone tires even though Firestone already pays these stores up to $100 per tire," said Jeff Ostroff, President & CEO of ConsumerNet, Inc., which runs the consumer advocate site CarBuyingTips.com.  "If the consumer gets stuck paying these stores to change the recalled Firestone tires, and the store keeps the tires, then the store is double collecting as they will also be paid up to $100 per tire by Firestone".

According to Ostroff, "Some stores tell consumers their tires are too bald to be covered by the recall, and pressure sell them into expensive alternate tires and balancing services.  The stores can then send in the customer's old tires and receive up to $100 per tire.  We spoke with Firestone headquarters and verified that even if your tires are bald, Firestone will give you up to $100 per tire. That's what a recall is for, they want all these tires off the street.  If a store says your tires are too bald for the recall, they are lying."

Firestone stated that they will even pay you up to $100 per tire to have your tires swapped to a competitor's tires if you feel uneasy about waiting in a long backlog for Firestone replacements.  Ostroff said "You are better off getting the tires at Firestone, where you don't pay a penny to have your tires swapped.  We believe the scams put people's lives at risk, because if they cannot afford the new tires in this scam, they may not have the work done, and risk a rollover accident."

Ostroff also offered the following tips to avoid being scammed in the
Firestone recall:
 

• If you use a 3rd party store, go to Firestone first, get the Recall Form, pay the other store to change your tires, and try to keep it under $100 per tire. BRING ALL 5 TIRES BACK TO A FIRESTONE STORE, and get a proof of delivery receipt.  Make copies, and mail the receipts to Firestone, and they'll send you up to $100 per tire, including the balancing and mounting. Don't forget the spare tire.

• Since most Firestone stores are backlogged, consider less traveled shops like Ford Dealers or Lincoln Mercury dealers.  Call around and make appointments.

What is covered: Over 6 million Firestone P235/75R15
Radial ATX, Radial ATX II tires and certain Wilderness AT tires.

Which Vehicles:  SUV's & Trucks. 60% are Ford Explorers, Mountaineers.

What to look for:  The affected tires have a DOT# on them with a "VD" in the number, indicating the Decatur plant.

Where to get official info:  Try the  Firestone Recall Info Page

Who to call:  Firestone at (800) 465-1904, Ford at 800-660-4719.