Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-25-2017, 10:09 AM   #61
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 466
Quote:
Originally Posted by osu65bob View Post
You bet I will! They messed with the wrong U.S. Marine!
Ooh rah Devil Dog! Bravo Zula!
__________________
2017 Keystone Cougar 28RDB
Buck1032 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2017, 10:39 AM   #62
Senior Member
 
W5CI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Carlisle, Arkansas
Posts: 1,387
I still cant believe people would fall for this, unethical yes but not illegal I don't think. Get your prices up front and walk away if you don't like it. You have options
__________________
2005 Cedar Creek 30RLBS/TrailAir Hitch/ MORryde 7K IS/Disc Brakes/ PI PT-50 EMS/ RV Flex Armor Roof
2015 RAM 3500 DRW 6.7 Cummins 3.42/ Garmin 760RV
40 Gal TransferFlow fuel tank/ TST 507
Amateur Radio W5CI 2019 Days Camping 25
2020 Days Camping 7
W5CI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2017, 10:49 AM   #63
PhD, Common Sense
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Fairborn, OH
Posts: 1,384
Quote:
Originally Posted by W5CI View Post
I still cant believe people would fall for this, unethical yes but not illegal I don't think. Get your prices up front and walk away if you don't like it. You have options


If he misrepresented facts (for example calling non-Coopers Coopers) and took money based on that misrepresentation, that's fraud, plain and simple. Illegal.
eye95 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2017, 10:52 AM   #64
Senior Member
 
FrankG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Dade City Florida
Posts: 556
All I would like to say is AMEX is one of the best CC providers to deal with. I was not surprised to see they stopped payment and did a charge back. Someone always answers the phone and solves issues with politeness and courtesy.

On the flip side the wife and I were retailers for over 20 years accepting AMEX cards. In the contract with them there is a clause about loosing the privilege of accepting there cards for excessive charge-backs. In the 20 or so years dealing with them I cannot remember a single charge-back.
__________________
2023 Explorer ST-Line w/Tow package
2021 Surveyor Legend 19RBLE
2018 Haulin 6 x 12 Cargo Trailer by Forest River
2017 Laredo 325RL Sold
2016 Vengeance 29V Sold
1970 Yellowstone Used as down payment for first house
FrankG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2017, 04:49 PM   #65
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,263
Quote:
Originally Posted by W5CI View Post
I still cant believe people would fall for this, unethical yes but not illegal I don't think. Get your prices up front and walk away if you don't like it. You have options
It's actually very illegal in Utah (SB 176 1997)and most other States to misrepresent to a customer what's needed for repair of their vehicle. Written estimates are required. If anyone accepts an "aggregate" cost, with no breakdown as to what parts are being provided, with cost, as well as labor costs, shame, shame.

Everyone goes to the grocery store and puts items in their cart knowing the cost of each item. What appears to be happening at these locations is the same as the grocery store just telling you what a cart full of groceries is going to cost you and when you get home you get to figure out what was put in the cart.

California had a nice program going in past years. Their Bureau of Auto Repair (BAR) would take vehicles that had been fully inspected by qualified mechanics and have "Consumers" drive them into shops with a story of a noise or possible malfunction. Some malfunctions were "rigged" and if the shop diagnosed them correctly, no harm, no foul. If they tried to sell the ""Consumer" everything in the catalog (usually using scare tactics by focusing on tires, steering, and brakes) the shop was fined and or stripped of their business license.

Maybe the Utah AG should send a few "well inspected" motorhomes through these shops and see what kind of parasites they attract. Then PROSECUTE THEM. Word would get out about the "Bait Vehicles" in no time. Especially if the businesses had their licenses on the line and some huge fines.

Note: If you are scammed while traveling though a place like this, not living in that State, be prepared to come back for a Court Date. If you aren't willing to testify when the AG files charges, there's a good chance the case won't be filed or the Court will merely dismiss. That's often why people like this go after out of state license plates.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)

"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"

2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change)
TitanMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-05-2017, 09:16 AM   #66
Site Team
 
wmtire's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,695
I was reading a Utah newsite about the nurse in Salt Lake City, and noticed a headline snippet there to this story, which made me instantly think of this thread. It's another one on I-15 just down the road.

Tire shop owner who avoided prosecution in Nevada faces up to $50K in fines in Utah - The Salt Lake Tribune
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS

A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
wmtire is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2017, 09:53 AM   #67
Member
 
osu65bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Indiana
Posts: 39
Thanks for posting that link. I was in touch with Nate Carlisle, author of the article, the first part of August to let him know about my "experience" at Sportys To Go in Beaver. I sent him a 73 page document outlining the past history of this place ( also known as Goomers and Gobers and Gobers) but for whatever reason Nate didn't elect to include that information in this most recent article. Maybe there are too many of these scams on I-15/Utah to cover.
What's really disappointing is I sent the same document to the Division of Consumer Protection Utah August 6 and have not heard a word from them. Thought for sure that if anyone was looking out for folks passing through UT or more importantly, residents of the state, it would be this agency. Maybe they're overwhelmed with complaints! All I know is that at least someone is doing something about someone running this scam!
Maybe it will make the other cockroaches scatter--but I doubt it.
__________________
osu65bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2017, 12:13 PM   #68
Happy Keystone Owner
 
dbarr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 636
Flying J seems to be following a trend.
https://www.ohio.com/akron/business/...rip-off-scheme
__________________
'15 F150 Ecoboost Maxtow Scab '19 Keystone Laredo 225MK
Days camped 2020-37 2019-36, 2018-24, 2017-46, 2016 -56, 2015-33,
2014-47,

Years camping....55
dbarr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2017, 12:40 PM   #69
Senior Member
 
BamaBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
Quote:
Originally Posted by grandpamuck View Post
Not only refer the problem to flying J, but to Good Sam Club also. As they refer you to flying J and pilot as good places to go.
X2 - we had a issue with our Jeep and could not get any assistance from Jeep corporate - even our dealer got the Heisman from Jeep!

Well, we wrote to Motorhome Mag (Good Sam subsidiary), they generated a letter to Jeep (CC to us) and oddly enough a corporate customer care specialist was on the phone to us within 2 days of receiving the letter from Motorhome/Good Sam! And yes, everything was settled to our satisfaction

Not to hijack the thread, but when did Freightliner start using Goodyear tires? Our 2016 came with Michelins.

Also, for all the Motorhome owners out there, FMCA has a Michelin discount program that is worth the price of membership -will literally save you hundreds of $$$!

Finally, as a general rule of thumb, I learned in Camp Freightliner that the tires that come on your Berkshire are, on the average, good for 6-7 years. I say this so that owners can get a sense of whether or not you need to replace tires - especially when confronted with a "Goober & Gomer" business.
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 242014 - 422015 - 56Jul 2016 - Fulltime
BamaBob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2017, 12:01 AM   #70
Member
 
DABoat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: SE La
Posts: 32
Osu65bob,
I see you notified some government agencies about this case. Did any of those agencies tell you there would be a criminal investigation?
Did you contact the Attorney General's Office for the State of Utah? This fraud case sounds like the type of case an AG would pursue.
If it can be proven he intentionally placed under-rated and misrepresented tires on your rig, this should result in a lot more than a simple BBB ding.
__________________
DABoat
Rockwood 8312 SS
Chevy Silverado
DABoat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2017, 04:24 AM   #71
Road Trippin
 
pismolocal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Pismo Beach, Ca
Posts: 161
I'm wondering if you can take legal action against flying j. After all they removed tires off your RV and installed tires that were knock offs that were not even equipped to handle your RV. This put you and your wife in extreme danger, could potentially killed you or put you in an accident and killed someone else. I would talk with a lawyer and see if you are able to get compensation for the risk and incovenence you were put in by this company.
pismolocal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2017, 11:16 AM   #72
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Lancaster CA
Posts: 78
Quote:
Originally Posted by osu65bob View Post
BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE

Stopped at Flying J Truck Stop in Beaver, Utah for fuel several weeks ago.
After fueling our 2014 Berkshire 390RB and prior to departing the pumps, a person wearing a Goodyear shirt with the name “Brian” on it approached my driver’s side window in a golf cart and shouted up to me in a very alarming manner, “Sir, have you taken a good look at your front tire recently? I think you might want to turn your tire to the right and come out here and take a look at it.” I got out of the motor home and met him at the front driver’s side tire.
At this point, he (“Brian”) stated emphatically,” As I’m sure you know driving a motor home this size, you have a very dangerous tire. If you don’t get that taken care of right away, it’s gonn'a certainly cause a very serious situation by blowing out which could lead to death. As you can see here, there is ‘rivering’ on the inside of the tire. See here—the tread is starting to come apart and if it stretches any further, this tire will blow for sure. You know Goodyear tires are known for this sort thing and I’m not sure why they continue to sell them for RV’s.”
“Brian” then asked me to pull around to the side of the multi-bay tire and auto service center (about 25 feet from the fuel pumps). The name on the tire/auto service center was “Sporty’s To Go”. “Brian” then put air jacks under the motor home and lifted the coach off the ground. “Brian” then proceeded to reiterate not only was the driver’s side tire in “extreme” peril but he stated so was the passenger side tire. I was stunned and shocked hearing this but I told myself this was coming from an individual who presented himself as an expert in the tire/auto service business.
After hearing the emphatic and major safety issues which “Brain” pointed out to us, he told me I needed two new tires—and I consented. After all, “Brian” presented himself as an expert. "Brian" never presented me a written estimate nor any other paperwork. He told me how many years he had been in business at this tire/service center at the Flying J and how many bad tires he had seen due to owners not paying attention to such an important component of motor homes or travel trailers. At the time, my wife heard most of this conversation with “Brian”.
At this point, my wife and I began to discuss how lucky we were that “Brain” had spotted these defects in both tires. We both said a prayer of “thanks” to God that by stopping at this particular Flying J in Beaver UT and having the encounter with “Brian”, our lives most likely had been spared and our vacation not turned into a disaster.
As “Brian” began to remove the original Goodyear tires, he noticed my U.S.M.C. Viet Nam Combat Veteran license plate holder. “Since we value people like you so much for the service and sacrifice you have made for our country, I’m not going to charge you for the labor or the ‘bean bag’ balancing that usually cost about $120 per tire.” At this point, I thanked “Brian” and asked him what kind (brand) of tire he would be replacing my Goodyear tires with. He told me, "Cooper Tires" (and rattled off the numbers for the tires). I said to him, “I didn’t’ realize that Cooper made tires for motor homes (especially like ours----forty feet long and weighing almost 32,000 pounds)”. “Cooper tires are excellent RV tires," he replied. “They have been around a long time and the ones I have are specifically for RV motor homes. You're lucky I have them in stock.” I asked him how much each tire would cost and he told me, "About $629 each."
Very little conversation was exchanged as “Brian” and his assistant worked on the tires. As “Brian” put on the second passenger front tire, I asked him why the Cooper name wasn’t on the tire—just all the number/letter designations. “Oh, the Cooper name isn’t on there but their model number is. It’s called the "GT 279". The brand name Cooper tires was mentioned by “Brian” no less than a dozen times during our conversations as being the brand name of the tires he was placing on our motor home. Since the engine wasn't running and it was about 100 F outside, the front door of the motor home in front of the passenger's seat was open, thus allowing my wife to hear the entire conversation I was having with "Brian".
After about an hour, the two front tires were on the motor home and we were ready to go. However, “Brian” made his way to the rear of our motor home. He “inspected” all 4 of the tires (two tires on each side of the motor home) and looked at me, shook his head. “I’m afraid you have the same thing going on with the inner tires of your duels. As you well know (and I acknowledged) you can’t mix tires so you really need to replace all four back here. I know this is going to cost a lot but as I mentioned before—I’m not gonn’a charge you for labor or the bean bag balances.” ‘Member, I’m cutting you a real break on this job”. At this point, I asked him how much the whole job would now cost—for all 6 tires. He went into his little office area and came back with a written “quote” for a total of $4,440. "You are really lucky that I have four more in stock", "Brian" said to me. He then wrote something on a work sheet. The only thing on the work order was my name, address (which I gave him) and one set of numbers that “Brian” represented countless times as Cooper tires (brand name “GT 279”). I signed the work order. At this point, “Brian” said, “Very smart move.”
As the original Goodyear tires were being removed and the “Cooper” tires were being installed, I asked “Brian” if he knew what the P.S.I. (pounds per square inch) rating was for the Cooper brand. He replied, “What are you running now?” I told him that Goodyear recommended, based on my motor home’s weight of 32,000 pounds, 105 PSI on the front two tires and 95 PSI on the rear four tires. “Good. That’s what we’ll put in these tires then.”
About an hour and a half later, the rear four tires had been replaced and the job completed. At this point, I gave “Brian” my AMEX Platinum card and signed the charge slip. “Brian” walked out with me to the motor home and said, “Well, this sure was your lucky day. Could have turned out a lot worse. It was sure a good thing I just happened to be passing by you when I did. Good luck.” We left the tire shop and headed towards Las Vegas (283 miles away) the temperature was approaching 115 degrees and even hotter in Las Vegas.
Conclusion after two day investigation following call to Cooper Tire to verify PSI and numerous other calls to Freightliner etc
1) The tires WERE NOT Cooper Tires as stated to me numerous times.
2) The tires were manufactured by G.I.T.I. in China.
3) The tires were 14 ply and NOT the required 18 ply--as I was assured they were.
4) The tires had a weight limit of 3,200 each NOT the 6,500 required by the Freightliner chassis.
5) Tire experts concluded we were lucky to make it to Las Vegas (283 miles) on the 14 ply tires given the 115+ outside temperature and my coach's weight.
6) The "safety" issue with my original Goodyear tires was non-existent nor did they require "immediate" attention. We were actually put in worse and more immediate danger with the tires placed on our unit by "Brian" that day.
7) The "history" of this business goes back at least 6 years. This company has operated from the same location under it's current name in addition to: "Gomers" and "Gomers and Goobers".
8) This business was fined $10,000 in 2015 for fraudulent business practices.
9) American Express agreed with all the background information we submitted in defense of this rip-off and WILL NOT be paying this business the $4,42 for the fraudulent and unsafe tires placed on our motor home.
10) Thanks to Ted Wiens Commercial Tire Service on Wigwam in Las Vegas for getting/installing the correct Goodyear tires for us.
11) Additional information about this establishment can be found at: Ripoff Report (numerous reports); Salt Lake City Tribune;; Forest River Forum; Salt Lake City Better Business Bureau and Utah Consumer Protection Agency. Just search "M.A.D.D.", "Gomers" or "Gomers and Goobers" Beaver UT.

We were vulnerable, trusting and naive--that will not happen again! We were lucky this time.

Please spread the word about this experience as well as the past history of this business location so no further unsuspecting, trusting owners become a victim as we did. I have brought this to the attention of the Utah BBB, the Utah Consumer Protection Agency as well as submitted it to the Salt Lake City/Cedar City/St. George newspapers for any appropriate action they deem necessary.
Though I am very sad for your
Treatment and money lost, I find this post and a lot of the replys disturbing. "BRIANS" would not exist if we a little more inquisitive when these types start talking.
This happens in life everyday, not just the RV world. Show me the damage and explain, give me the price before I buy, show me the tire before install, show me that this tire belongs on my rig. Don't take word of mouth.
SHOW ME, PROVE TO ME.
Happy Camping.
Ttramp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2017, 12:43 AM   #73
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Rice, WA - Sold the S&B!
Posts: 596
Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanMike View Post
I read this and shook my head. This practice has been going on throughout this part of the country UT, AZ, NV, CA) since before the Interstate system came through. All along the "Tourist Routes" guys like "Brian" have been even going so far as to cut fan belts and radiator hoses (using a razor blade taped to the side of a finger or using a specially made ring with a cutter on the inside where it can't be seen with a closed hand), put aspirin tablets in battery cells, spray oil on shock absorbers, or oil on the inside of a wheel and tire.

All of this done during the "courtesy service" performed while fueling the vehicle. When I first became associated with the Tire Business every once and a while I'd run across a guy who bragged about how much money he could make during "Tourist Season" by selling belts, hoses, shock absorbers, tires, brakes, and even axle seals. Since an aspirin tablet will cause a foaming action in a battery cell (sometimes they even would use a piece of a Rolaid tablet) naturally battery sales were lucrative.


Here's a simple cure. First, when in areas where there is lots of tourist traffic and you are approached by a guy like "Brian" just tell them you have everything under control and don't let them touch anything. If they point out something like the "river wear" (which is totally natural in almost all truck tires) just tell them "thanks, I'll have that looked at" and again, don't let them touch a thing.

This is a practice that has grown from paying employees a commission on their sales. To a true professional they will merely point out actual needs and make a good living on those sales. For guys like "Brian", they get bit by the "Greedy Bug" and do everything they can to lie their way into the sale of unnecessary products and services.

They get away with it because people often just say "Oh Well, lesson learned but there's nothing I can do about it now".

Always use a Credit Card and then once taken advantage of get charges reversed then file a complaint with the State AG Consumer Protection office. Chances are they already have a fine on all the "Brians" in the area and eventually some will end up in jail.


Different situation, different rip off but I have dealt with the Utah State AG Consumer Protection office in a case where the people I was dealt with had been in prison on Federal Charges. I was told by their office that they were there to protect Utah residents from fraud.

I.E., do not bother them. I won’t even drive through the state. I have gotten sales calls from people with a Utah area code. I will not talk to them.

YMMV
__________________
As a teacher my signature was, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

As a novice Glamper, it still applies.
RobertDS is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
sport, tire

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:41 AM.