Counterfeit' tires pose consumer riskhttps://autos.yahoo.com/news/counterfeit-tires-pose-consumer-risk-110000450.htmlWhen it comes to safety and performance, Consumer Reports has long said that you shouldn’t skimp on tires. That’s what we discovered once again when we recently tested three sets of Chinese-branded all-season truck tires that cost as little as $89 apiece in our test size, 265/70R17. All three of these bargain-bin tires landed at the bottom of our Ratings, in part because of their performance in our winter-condition test, as well as so-so to poor tread life. The surprise came when the owner and distributor of one set of the tires alleged that the tires we tested were “gray market”—that is, produced or sold by a factory and vendor that were not authorized to make or distribute them—and from tire molds that may have been stolen.

I don't care for Consumer Reports. Why didn't they get a couple of the "legitimate" Pegasus tires and see how they compared to the "counterfeit" tires? They took API at their word that these were not the same type of tire that they currently offer.

The surprise came when the owner and distributor of one set of the tires alleged that the tires we tested were “gray market”—that is, produced or sold by a factory and vendor that were not authorized to make or distribute them—and from tire molds that may have been stolen. Yeah other news sources have said in fact the molds were indeed stolen or missing. Their mold owners have said they made no production runs on the DOT date on those counterfeit tires. Every time someone comes on one of our trailering forums and asks "has anyone heard of a Gonzablaster Trail ST tire" or a brand no one has ever heard of I always wounder if its a legit tire. At 89 bucks for a LT265/70-17 E tire some folks would jump on the deal.

I think that the DOT should force the retailer to recall the counterfeit tires, even it puts them out of business. They should be held accountable for their actions and the lives they have put in jepardy. I believe that part of why so many jobs are going to China is that we don't hold them to the same standards as American compainies. It is past time to level the playing field.

IMO Consumer Reports is nothing more than a paid poet. They report what they are paid to say or show. I started this out with my opinion, that's what it is I have no proof of anything stated. I always find it funny the product selling well gets the worst ratings in their report. Maybe the product selling well doesn't need to advertise with them.

glazier wrote:IMO Consumer Reports is nothing more than a paid poet. They report what they are paid to say or show. I started this out with my opinion, that's what it is I have no proof of anything stated. I always find it funny the product selling well gets the worst ratings in their report. Maybe the product selling well doesn't need to advertise with them. :R :SEverything you said above is completely wrong.I love when people come out and say these things. Have you actually ever read a consumer reports?They don't accept advertising in any of their mediums, they don't accept gifts or sample products from manufacturers, and all the products they test are purchased from a retail store without the manufacturers knowledge.None of this means that they product they say is best will perform the best for you, but it blows everything you said out of the water. I don't read consumer reports, but I've done some investigation and found they are probably a reasonably legit source for product knowledge if you have no other informed source to draw upon.

'Counterfeit' tires pose consumer risk | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Nov 19, 2014
Fast Mopar wrote:
I don't understand why this thread about junk Chinese tires turned into a thread to bash Consumer Reports. I am not a fan of CR at all and have stated this several times, but this is not a CR issue. This is an issue of deceptive Chinese junk tires that are being purchased by people here. Tires are a life and death issue, more so than exceeding your payload by 50 lb like so many seem to be concerned about. CR is not the culprit here.

X2, and according to the posted article, CR might have tested counterfeit tires unknowingly. If they did and they find out about it, they will print a correction and notice in an upcoming issue.
Fast_Mopar
Explorer
Nov 19, 2014
I don't understand why this thread about junk Chinese tires turned into a thread to bash Consumer Reports. I am not a fan of CR at all and have stated this several times, but this is not a CR issue. This is an issue of deceptive Chinese junk tires that are being purchased by people here. Tires are a life and death issue, more so than exceeding your payload by 50 lb like so many seem to be concerned about. CR is not the culprit here.
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 18, 2014
glazier wrote:
IMO Consumer Reports is nothing more than a paid poet. They report what they are paid to say or show.Any intelligent person wouldn't have this "opinion" NOBODY pays CR except their subscribers! I started this out with my opinion, that's what it is I have no proof of anything stated. I always find it funny the product selling well gets the worst ratings in their report. Maybe the product selling well doesn't need to advertise with them. Again, a intelligent person would KNOW that CR doesn't accept any advertising, and thus have a different OPINION.

I don't always agree with CR either.. But my reasons are more well founded. Sometimes their testing criteria doesn't have the same priorities as mine... IE; saying that a heavy duty truck has a stiff ride, or that a sports car has a low roof making it hard to get in/out of... But I do believe that they are fair in their testing, and what they say is generally true.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Nov 18, 2014
glazier wrote:
Fordlover wrote:
glazier wrote:
IMO Consumer Reports is nothing more than a paid poet. They report what they are paid to say or show. I started this out with my opinion, that's what it is I have no proof of anything stated. I always find it funny the product selling well gets the worst ratings in their report. Maybe the product selling well doesn't need to advertise with them.

:R :S

Everything you said above is completely wrong.

I love when people come out and say these things. Have you actually ever read a consumer reports?

They don't accept advertising in any of their mediums, they don't accept gifts or sample products from manufacturers, and all the products they test are purchased from a retail store without the manufacturers knowledge.

None of this means that they product they say is best will perform the best for you, but it blows everything you said out of the water. I don't read consumer reports, but I've done some investigation and found they are probably a reasonably legit source for product knowledge if you have no other informed source to draw upon.

All of my opinion is wrong? Read my post, I clearly stated everything based on a response like you gave. FWIW one of my family gets me a subscription to CR every year, I have definitely read them. I keep my opinion on this, I clearly stated above I have no facts to base this on.

Yes, we realize it is your opinion only, but it implies several falsehoods: First, they are not “paid” anything by anyone other than people that subscribe to the magazine. CR is a “non profit” organization and more of a consumer advocate than people realize. Second, they are not “given” any product samples. They go out and “buy” everything they test, paying full retail. Even every single car and truck they test is bought on the open market, anonymously.
Third, you cannot advertise with CR, they do not accept advertising. In fact, CR will refuse to rate products from a manufacturer if you mention a positive CR rating in an advertisement. So, even though everything you object to is factually wrong (except maybe the part where you say you know someone that subscribes to CR), you are still entitled to your opinion as you say.
glazier
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2014
Fordlover wrote:
glazier wrote:
IMO Consumer Reports is nothing more than a paid poet. They report what they are paid to say or show. I started this out with my opinion, that's what it is I have no proof of anything stated. I always find it funny the product selling well gets the worst ratings in their report. Maybe the product selling well doesn't need to advertise with them.

:R :S

Everything you said above is completely wrong.

I love when people come out and say these things. Have you actually ever read a consumer reports?

They don't accept advertising in any of their mediums, they don't accept gifts or sample products from manufacturers, and all the products they test are purchased from a retail store without the manufacturers knowledge.

None of this means that they product they say is best will perform the best for you, but it blows everything you said out of the water. I don't read consumer reports, but I've done some investigation and found they are probably a reasonably legit source for product knowledge if you have no other informed source to draw upon.

All of my opinion is wrong? Read my post, I clearly stated everything based on a response like you gave. FWIW one of my family gets me a subscription to CR every year, I have definitely read them. I keep my opinion on this, I clearly stated above I have no facts to base this on.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Nov 18, 2014
Fordlover wrote:
glazier wrote:
IMO Consumer Reports is nothing more than a paid poet. They report what they are paid to say or show. I started this out with my opinion, that's what it is I have no proof of anything stated. I always find it funny the product selling well gets the worst ratings in their report. Maybe the product selling well doesn't need to advertise with them.

:R :S

Everything you said above is completely wrong.

I love when people come out and say these things. Have you actually ever read a consumer reports?

They don't accept advertising in any of their mediums, they don't accept gifts or sample products from manufacturers, and all the products they test are purchased from a retail store without the manufacturers knowledge.

None of this means that they product they say is best will perform the best for you, but it blows everything you said out of the water. I don't read consumer reports, but I've done some investigation and found they are probably a reasonably legit source for product knowledge if you have no other informed source to draw upon.

Save your breath Fordlover. CR bashing is a cottage industry. I've subscribed to CR for over 30 years and look forward to receiving it every month. Are they always correct? No, nobody is. But a lot of valuable insight can be obtained from its pages. Most people bash CR because of their Auto ratings, nothing more. Ironically, I find that section the least interesting part of the magazine and would not subscribe if they only rated autos. They're much more than that.
Bedlam
Moderator
Nov 18, 2014
I don't always agree with CR's results or their political agendas, but I do feel they are impartial in their judging of products. Even if I feel a different product is better, they may reveal a criteria I had not considered but feel is important.

Counterfeit goods are showing up everywhere including some aircraft parts and in critical ABS and air bag systems on automobiles. Sometimes these parts are vetted out of the system before they are installed or fail, but I wonder how many slipped through and carry markings of legitimate companies that make quality products.
Fordlover
Explorer
Nov 18, 2014
glazier wrote:
IMO Consumer Reports is nothing more than a paid poet. They report what they are paid to say or show. I started this out with my opinion, that's what it is I have no proof of anything stated. I always find it funny the product selling well gets the worst ratings in their report. Maybe the product selling well doesn't need to advertise with them.

:R :S

Everything you said above is completely wrong.

I love when people come out and say these things. Have you actually ever read a consumer reports?

They don't accept advertising in any of their mediums, they don't accept gifts or sample products from manufacturers, and all the products they test are purchased from a retail store without the manufacturers knowledge.

None of this means that they product they say is best will perform the best for you, but it blows everything you said out of the water. I don't read consumer reports, but I've done some investigation and found they are probably a reasonably legit source for product knowledge if you have no other informed source to draw upon.
glazier
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2014
IMO Consumer Reports is nothing more than a paid poet. They report what they are paid to say or show. I started this out with my opinion, that's what it is I have no proof of anything stated. I always find it funny the product selling well gets the worst ratings in their report. Maybe the product selling well doesn't need to advertise with them.
Groover
Explorer II
Nov 17, 2014
I think that the DOT should force the retailer to recall the counterfeit tires, even it puts them out of business. They should be held accountable for their actions and the lives they have put in jepardy. I believe that part of why so many jobs are going to China is that we don't hold them to the same standards as American compainies. It is past time to level the playing field.