Fountain Tire

They screwed me over. Got one new Hankook all-​season tire in winter for $ 250. Waited sooo long for them to go get one. The next morning that wheel had jammed. The tire got dragged around making a screeching sound and smelling of burning rubber. Needed to replace the tire again, for which I was charged full price less $ 20 for their preferred brand, Goodyear. They probably weren’t diligent in their job to ensure nothing would jam or stick especially considering it was well below –10°C. That tire has incidentally been the one with the flats, and worse, slow leaks, which they fix for free if you buy their preferred brand. So, $ 500 for one tire and a lot of pain.

They will rip you off! Quoted me almost $ 2000 in work. When I phoned to say I would not be getting the work done there, they tried to tell me that they should not «let me car on the road!» I went for a second opinion and ACTUALLY only needed $ 800 of work. Talk about a HUGE difference! Not cool.

If getting ripped off is one of life’s pleasures, this is the place to be. If it is not, then I suggest you seek another shop for your mechanical services.
This is my story — a vehicle of mine required a new power steering pump, so to Fountain Tire I go! Well the fellow quotes me 1 hour shop time plus parts. No problem. He quotes me a NEW pump at $ 400 but says he could source out a used one for cheaper. I elect for the used pump…
A day later I come to retrieve my vehicle and am graced by an $ 800 service bill. Hmm… something’s not adding up. $ 400 + $ 100 (labor) should be $ 500 plus tax and other shop fees. Lo an behold I am quoted a part replacement cost of $ 600 for USED. I thought used would have been cheaper. Boy was I wrong! Evidently that USED part had been bathed in liquid gold and kissed by the Dalai Lama hence the premium. So I express my concerns, and the service tech plays dumb and says he’ll check with the «manager» aka «come back in a few hours when I have time to come up with a better story».
An hour later I come back. The total bill remains unchanged but the part cost has in fact decreased but labor costs increased. I guess I was charged for that hour of «story telling».
Moral of the story: do your homework before getting mechanical work done AND don’t go to Fountain Tire in St. Albert.