My wife and I purchased a Toyota Highlander in 2003. We financed it through Toyotal and at the time, we're given the opportunity to purchase a Car Care Plan, that added about $11 to our monthly payments (for 60 months).

I didn't want to buy it, but the finance guy said it give you free oil chance plus TIRES FOR LIFE. I figured there were tons of loopholes and specifically asked were there any requirements to qualify for the free tires (do you have to do all of your maintance at the dealership, do you have to get all recommended services done, etc). I was told nope...no catches. Needless to say, we agreed to the Car Care Plan (and $11 was added to our payments).

Long story short...it's time for tires and...you guess it...the local dealership is saying we don't qualify because we didn't get all of the recommended maintenance performed. I am in the process of trying to track down the finance guy that we orginally talked to, but assume we're going to be out of luck.

Question...has anyone esle ran into this problem? Any suggestions, thoughts, etc?

We are so upset, we're thinking about selling the car and buying something else.

I think I've heard of crap like that happening to someone else on another message board. Hopefully you got all of that in writing, otherwise, you are SOL, my friend.

Yes, It's a shame that they don't want to honor what you have. It doesn't surprise me as you hear stories like this all the time on various message boards

Well not with Toyata, but had the same problem with Wal-mart. I bought tires there on two seperate occassions and bought the insurance for them. I had a blow out not two months later and the plan was supposed to cover it. I went in and they said the tread was too worn and it wouldnt be covered under my plan. I was so enraged. So never buy the insurance, it is not worth it. And I did NOT do that much driving in that time. SOrry for your trouble.

Gigi,
It sounds like you and I bought tires at the same walmart! I've had the same thing happen to me. I wouldn't buy their insurance now for anything. Or their tires.

Arrrgghh ..that sucks.

I'm not a believer in those extra service plans ...seems like they never work out and cover their own costs.

Sounds like a law suit in the making to me. I just can't believe that these companies go so far out of their way to make things difficult for the rest of us.

If you have it in writing that you get free tires for life and there are no catches in the fine print, you should be able to take them to court and win.
If not, you are SOL. Im also not a believer in service plans. IMO, you buy that expecting to have trouble and if its a vehicle you expect to have trouble with, should you really be buying it in the first place?

Sorry to hear that Accer! It is all in the fine print where they get you. I think if it happened within a day or two of you buying the cars, you might get somewhere with them. But other than that, the customer is not always right at the evil Walmart! ;)

Yes it's a valid lawsuit and yes I could probably win. But the filing fees and other upfront fees would eventually cost more than the case was worth. My attorney would work for free, but the basic costs are more than it's worth.

Walmart knows this.

Gigi,
The fine print is on our side.

To be fair:
I had a bad blowout in Bloomfield, Indiana April 0f 2006. The walmart tire had less that 1000 miles on it. If you have to have a tire blow, this is the place to do it! I was in the middle of town blocking traffic. A police car pulled up. The officer changed my tire. I was staying in the town overnight. So I drove the mile left to the motel and checked in. Time was short. I had to get the tire replaced and get to a surprise party.

When I came out of the motel 15 minutes later to head to the nearest walmart (In nearby Linton, IN), there was the cop. He followed me to the next town because he was worried about the spare. The auto place was full. Several people offered me their spots in line for service. Walmart people (It's a brand new store...only been open 6 months) do not know the policies very well. They were friendly and fast. They looked at the tire, pulled me up in the system, shook their heads and replaced the tire. I was out of there in 20 minutes.

Everyone there was REALLY nice. I may retire to that town!

Wow, that is a great story! Glad to hear you had such a nice experience. I guess I need to be a little more aggressive. I shoudl have called the headquarters of Walmart and read them the riot act. I mean that is flase advertising or something, pressuring you into buying it thinking it will help and then shrigging when you need it. Grrrr. Now I am all mad about it again haha!

I have learned not to trust the salesman. They can say whatever they want, especially if they are vague. I never buy those things. The only extra addon I always get is the road hazard, and only because around here they honor it pretty much without question.

Gigi,
Thanks, Itwas a great trip. Even with the blowout. Yes, you need to be more aggressive. It's the only thing they understand.

More aggressive and learn to read the fine print. Next time someone offers to sell me some junk like that, I will hit them with a lot of what ifs. It is not the little extra money so much as it is principle! :)

Therein lies the problem: They have no principles. They want your money and will do what they need to get it.

Amen to that Accer. I hate it. But if we all continue to say nothing about it, they will keep getting away with it. Class Action! haha

I prefer to vote with my wallet: I spread the word but I don't buy the plan. They may never get the message but I will save the money!

I prefer to go to Target after walmart pulled that scam on me. But I am checking tire prices...may need tires, and guess who is usually lowest. :(

I never buy tires at walmart because they never have the tires I want/need. 4 tires for $99 deals are jsut an accident waiting to happen.

Lord where in the world would I find 4 tires for 99 bucks? And are we talking about new tires? ;)