C & R Tire

Bad Customer Service, Terrible Advice, Scammers! I went to the Worcester location on Randolph Road to have my yearly car inspection and was told that I needed new tires on all four wheels and a brake job to pass the safety inspection. The bill totaled more than $700; roughly, five hundred plus for the tires and the rest for the "discounted brake special," said Ken, the guy behind the counter who made me wait in their waiting area for 40 minutes before informing me of my failed inspection. I asked, "Why the tires were so expensive?" and got several long confusing answers of something to do with a warranty, perfect matching tires with my vehicle and the upcoming weather conditions. I was more lost than before my curious question on those expensive tires, so I dare not to ask about the brake job. I was about to okay the tires and brake job and to give him my credit card, luckily my neighbor phone me during this transaction to inform me of my cat's condition. I told my neighbor (whose son also works for a tires, wheel, alignment establishment) about my predicament, then my neighbor responding with laughter. I was being scammed. I asked for my car keys and left that place. My car passed with flying colors at a nearby inspection station/tire establishment after I insisted on questioning the condition of my tires and brakes to the inspector. The inspector informed me of how good my brakes were and at least two years worth of driving before I would consider tires replacement. I only needed to pay for the inspection and didn't have to buy the tires/brake job costing $700.
The preceding paragraph described an event in 2008. Two years later, I wanted to see what kind of tricks they would play on me with my annual inspection. I have four brand new winter tires on my car with a complete brake job within a year ago. They only made me waited for 25 minutes to tell me that they had not started the inspection and I will fail the safety part of the inspection due to the "wrong windshield wiper blade size," which requires $30 to fix the problem in order for me to pass the inspection. They reassured me that the existing blades were good, but were short and not meant for my vehicle. I said, "the size of those wipers clearly cover my windshield and I've been driving with them through all types of weather. No inspector has ever questioned their lengths." I turned down the offer, took my keys back and drove to another inspection station to receive my passing inspection sticker. Again, I asked the inspector about the lengths of my wiper blades. "As long as they wipe your windshield and are not cracked at the rubber portions, then they're good. Yes, they are the right length," said the inspector who only charged me $29 for the inspection.

Very shady. Typical scammers. I've heard of this place and wanted to see if they would pull their tricks on me. I waited 20 minutes before the inspection guy came and got my keys from Ken, the guy behind the counter, while there were at least four guys standing around in the inspection bay. The same inspection guy came back 25 minutes later and whispered to Ken and left for the inspection bay. 30 minutes later, the inspection guy came back in and handed my keys back to Ken without saying a word to me. Ken told me that I would need new tires on my car to pass the next inspection. I went along with the advise and smiled, then got out of there after paying for the long inspection.

I had replaced all four tires the week before bring my car to this place. The inspector did not do his job by not speaking directly with me, took too long, did not go over the inspection report and didn't do a full inspection. I knew all this because I too, am a licensed car inspector! I couldn't imagine how many poor customers these guys had been scamming.

Ken and the rest of the crew at C&R Tire have been nothing but helpful. I've had brakes, tires, inspections, engines, and other systems worked on, and they always call me, tell me what's going on, and will even write down what needs to be done if I think I can do it myself.

I have been doing business with C&R for years. I have had nothing but the best service and expertese from thier staff. Their prices, and service are TOP NOTCH. I would recomend C&R to anyone needing any kind of tires and/or service. A++