Resolved - Disappointed with Walmart

I ordered a set of 265/70r16 at walmart.com and had it delivered to my local walmart tire and auto services in central NY. Because my 2011 Tacoma primary size is a 245/75r16, the walmart refuses to install them.

I was told this was a new policy, anything not listed as the primary size in their computer system and/or not listed in the sticker in the door will not be installed, even if that's what is installed on there currently.

Hope this helps save someone else from wasting their time.

 

I think Sam's Club might do this as well -- I was trying to order 265/75R16's and it would not let me add the installation to the order. BUT -- if I added them to the cart without installation, then went to the cart, I could add installation. Likely just a scenario they hadn't caught yet. They didn't have any in stock, so I ordered from Walmart.

Walmart installed mine without a question. This was a couple of weeks ago. They were pretty busy, so they may have just overlooked it. The installer did a great job and hand-torqued the lug nuts.

I can see them not doing it if it falls out of the spec for the rim and tire combination, but limiting it to the original size? That's a bit silly.

 

I filed a report with corporate, and the local walmart manager called me back shortly after I posted this. The technician was supposed to check a catalog and would have seen that this was an allowed size without any problems. The manager apologized and asked if I'd be willing to drive back up there (its about 20 miles) to install. Since I had made an appt with a local shop to do the install I declined, but I am happy that the manager took responsibility for this mistake.

Hopefully this helps if someone runs into a similar situation.

 

I had the sticker show the 265/70R16 on my door. I had checked and knew my local Walmart had the tires in stock, and when I asked for them, the girl tried to tell me the same thing, and I had to tell her, they were on their and look in her system, it will show they can be used on the truck.. Tried to get me to get more expensive ones.
sometimes, you have to get a little pushy with them as they dont want to look.

 

Costco does the same. It's corporate lawyers covering for stupid choices customers make.

I went from 215 75 to 235 75 on my 5 lug.

I just took Costco the wheels and asked for my old tires back.

Second tip.

Once your 'new size' is on the vehicle, most of those cautious places won't question replacing them with the same size. IE they don't look it up.

 

Many years ago I had a rotation and oil change done at a Walmart on my new truck. I got on the highway about an hour later and heard a horrible noise like I just hit a deer. Something caught my attention in the rear view- it was my skid plate, which had just dropped and decided to go flying into traffic.

Turns out the tech could only find one screw out of 6 to remount the skid plate, so they mounted it with one. That was the managers actual explanation, accompanied with a. While walking around the truck I also noticed a loose lug. Walmart bought me a new skid plate from the nearest dealership that day. I haven't been back since.

 

Tried that - showed the tech that 265/70r16 was currently installed (been running that size since 2013, and ironically walmart installed that set!). He still refused.

I could have pushed harder, but it just wasn't the way to win the fight. Looks like corporate notified the local manager and while I hate getting people in trouble, the technician was at fault for not checking his system to see what was allowed.

 

Tire Discounters was cheaper when I bought a set of Michelin's in that size, fell over themselves congratulating me on my choice. Balancing, mounting, aligning the front end better than any Toyota shop ever did. I like being able to watch it happen. And free rotations for life WITHOUT destroying any lug nuts, so far.

 

Just take your tires off and take them in they will put whatever size you want on there.