Do NOT buy tires from eCustomRim on Amazon!

[eggsalad]

I posted earlier about all of the 4.80x12 tires being from Chinese factories these days. However, Googling about will give the perception that some brands are better than others in terms of failure rate and wear.

The seller eCustomRim on Amazon had a pair of 4.80x12 with rims for under $90, shipped. The photo in the listing shows tires bearing the "H188" brand, which research indicated was one of the better (or should I say "least bad") choices.

HOWEVER, nowhere in the ad copy does it actually say you will receive "H188"-brand tires.

I did NOT receive tires bearing that name.

Instead, I received tires bearing the "Trail America" brand. (Don't be fooled - they're not made in America, it's just the name.) Google research shows a much greater failure rate than any other brand I'd researched. Often these failures are at <500 miles.

Only time and use will tell how much life I will get from these tires. I won't bother trying to return them, because I let myself get fooled. My fault.

I just wanted to make folks aware that eCustomRim considers trailer tires a commodity, and will sell you whatever they get cheapest. If you want to avoid the crapshoot of getting whatever brand of tires they got a bargain on, and actually select a tire by brand name, avoid eCustomRim.

[Woodbutcher]

I would return them. If the picture shows one thing and they ship something else you have a good case. Amazon is very customer friendly. Plus this sounds like a vender not Amazon. Feedback from you is important. Insist they ship you the tires they showed.

[Redneck Teepee]

One thing I do not take chances on......Tires and Brakes, nothing but quality for me.

[eggsalad]

I would return them. If the picture shows one thing and they ship something else you have a good case. Amazon is very customer friendly. Plus this sounds like a vender not Amazon. Feedback from you is important. Insist they ship you the tires they showed.

Unfortunately, when it comes to non-Amazon vendors selling on Amazon, the deal falls apart. The tires were $60 and the shipping was $30. If I send them back, the shipping will be at least $30 (big vendors get discounts from FedEx), and I will get my $60 refunded.

So my choices are (a) keep the questionable tires and hope for the best and be out $90 or (b) ship them back, be out $60+ and have nothing to show for it.

Live and learn - and read the fine print, and don't make assumptions.

[Woodbutcher]

I would return them. If the picture shows one thing and they ship something else you have a good case. Amazon is very customer friendly. Plus this sounds like a vender not Amazon. Feedback from you is important. Insist they ship you the tires they showed.

Unfortunately, when it comes to non-Amazon vendors selling on Amazon, the deal falls apart. The tires were $60 and the shipping was $30. If I send them back, the shipping will be at least $30 (big vendors get discounts from FedEx), and I will get my $60 refunded.

So my choices are (a) keep the questionable tires and hope for the best and be out $90 or (b) ship them back, be out $60+ and have nothing to show for it.

Live and learn - and read the fine print, and don't make assumptions.

If it's their fault, the shipping should be on them. Did you even contact them and tell them what you are unhappy about? If so what did they tell you? If you never told them about the problem maybe you should not tell everyone not to buy from them. The company should have an opportunity to make good on a problem. Just my thoughts.

[eamarquardt]

If it's their fault, the shipping should be on them. Did you even contact them and tell them what you are unhappy about? If so what did they tell you? If you never told them about the problem maybe you should not tell everyone not to buy from them. The company should have an opportunity to make good on a problem. Just my thoughts.

X2

Gus

[Shadow Catcher]

X3
I went through a great deal of effort to find tires for Compass Rose that were not made in China, fortunately they are 15" so more choices. Do not let them get away with it.

[eggsalad]

Well, I took your advice and have emailed the vendor. I will report back what the vendor's reply is.

I get the idea of giving the vendor a chance to make it right, but even if I fight them and win, I still won't do business with them again.

A Parable:

Let's say I hire you to do a job for me. I tell you I will pay $500. You complete the job and I hand you $400. You say, "Hey, that's not what you promised me!" and I reply, "Yes, but $400 is what I'm giving you". That makes me an ass. Then you show me our agreement on paper that says $500, and I give in and give you the remaining $100. Does that make me any less of an ass? No, I still jerked you around, and you had to fight me to do the right thing. I bet you won't work for me again.

[Woodbutcher]

I'm glad you gave them a chance to make good. The difference in your Parable could be , we agreed on $500.00 and I miscounted when I hand you $400.00. Just a mistake. So when I hand you the last $100.00 I did not mean to cheat you, I just made a mistake.

Until we see what the vendor says we don't know if the guy who filled the order in the warehouse made a mistake, or they we out to deceive you with a bait and switch sale.

But their true colors will be revealed in their response to you. I hope they do the right thing.

[eamarquardt]

Well, I took your advice and have emailed the vendor. I will report back what the vendor's reply is.

I get the idea of giving the vendor a chance to make it right, but even if I fight them and win, I still won't do business with them again.

A Parable:

Let's say I hire you to do a job for me. I tell you I will pay $500. You complete the job and I hand you $400. You say, "Hey, that's not what you promised me!" and I reply, "Yes, but $400 is what I'm giving you". That makes me an ass. Then you show me our agreement on paper that says $500, and I give in and give you the remaining $100. Does that make me any less of an ass? No, I still jerked you around, and you had to fight me to do the right thing. I bet you won't work for me again.

From your original post: "The seller eCustomRim on Amazon had a pair of 4.80x12 with rims for under $90, shipped. The photo in the listing shows tires bearing the "H188" brand, which research indicated was one of the better (or should I say "least bad") choices."

Also from your original post: "I just wanted to make folks aware that eCustomRim considers trailer tires a commodity, and will sell you whatever they get cheapest. If you want to avoid the crapshoot of getting whatever brand of tires they got a bargain on, and actually select a tire by brand name, avoid eCustomRim."

HOWEVER, nowhere in the ad copy does it actually say you will receive "H188"-brand tires." I think your commodity/crapshoot comment is spot on.

The only reason you were led to believe you were getting H188 brand tires was because the picture (which IMHO difficult to see the brand of the tire) had that kind of tire in it. There was no real specific or implied representation that you would get the H188 brand tire. Many businesses, in similar ads, do say they reserve the right to provide equivalent merchandise. The biggest reason many folks choose a particular product is the "price point". When you do so, and the brand name isn't specified, I think it's reasonable to conclude that the vendor you are using is ALSO shopping for the best price they can get and may change brands/suppliers w/o notice.

Sometimes you have to be willing to pay a bit extra for a product that has "history" and a warranty. IE: http://www.loadstartrailertires.com/Tra ... _p_84.html

Not to criticize but if your biggest concern is price you may get what yer paying for.

Just sayin, food for thought.

Cheers,

Gus

[MtnDon]

I take pictures to be a pictorial device, not a guarantee. How often do we see pictures alongside the sales text blurb and find fine print somewhere to the effect that the actual product may vary? It would have been nice if the vendor had done that in this case. I would contact therm just to see what they have to say, though.


Tires as a commodity. .... They are, especially when price is the #1 factor or close to it. To a great many people a tire is just a tire. I would bet that when the majority of people need a tire(s) they go to whatever place makes them comfortable and ask the sales person for a new tire(s) for their XYZ. The sales guy asks a few questions on use, price, etc and then suggests something. Something they make money on. From there the customer buys or they go up/down the price scale. The customer has no idea of the brand unless they go to a tire brand outlet.

Some of the times I have bought tires I knew exactly what I wanted:BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO 33 x 12.5 x 15, for my old Jeep for example. Another time I needed a couple tires for the Honda city car. Went to the same place and said I need two for that. I have no idea anymore on the brand, just that they fit, do the job, were a good enough price, not the cheapest and they (Discount Tire) stand behind them.

[eggsalad]

Well, I did hear back from the vendor. they will pay return freight. I'm not sure if they will refund the $60 I paid for the tires or the $60 + $30 shipping.

I don't think it's unreasonable, if you are selling commodity tires, to put a disclaimer in the text, i.e. "Photo is representative of the type of tire you are buying, but not the brand." I guess that's just me.

I'm now off in search of either Kenda or Carlisle tires. Those two seem to be the best-rated brands available in my size.

[eamarquardt]

Well, I did hear back from the vendor. they will pay return freight. I'm not sure if they will refund the $60 I paid for the tires or the $60 + $30 shipping.

I don't think it's unreasonable, if you are selling commodity tires, to put a disclaimer in the text, i.e. "Photo is representative of the type of tire you are buying, but not the brand." I guess that's just me.

I'm now off in search of either Kenda or Carlisle tires. Those two seem to be the best-rated brands available in my size.

Ship em back and if you don't get a full and prompt refund contact yer charge card company (assuming you charged em which is the best way to pay for a lot of stuff IMHO) and dispute the charges.

Good luck.

Cheers,

Gus

[rowerwet]

make sure you do the customer review and explain the whole issue no matter what the seller does. I base more of my buying on and off Amazon on the customer reviews, put the sellers name in the review. this will help everyone out.