NTB: National Tire & Battery

Went there today to get because I wanted a tire pressure sensor replaced on my vehicle. First I called and asked for a price quote. I was told the part would be $ 55 and the labor would be $ 22. I then asked if I could make an appointment or should I just bring it in. The man said I could make one and asked me to hold. After waiting about ten minutes I hung up. Later in the day I decided to go by there and see if I could get it done. I was told the part was in stock but now was getting quoted double on the labor. So I decided to go somewhere else. I have tried to go to NTB on several occasions and NEVER come out of there a satisfied customer whether it is to buy tires or for repairs. It is extremely close to my house so if it is going to take a while I can walk home. I keep promising myself that I will not go back but somehow always do for the convenience factor. But it still never fails to disappoint! I will not be going back there ever again. And if any of you other Unilocalers see me in there please walk up to me and slap me, I will have richly deserved it!!!

Made an appointment for 3:30pm to get two of my tires replaced. I walked in and there wasn’t anyone in there. Waited as the place is huge but they seem to only have one person in the front. Got me checked in and I went to the waiting area. An hour and a half goes by and I finally go to ask how much longer. They aren’t even remotely busy so I’m wondering what’s taking so long. Of course no one is at the front so I just stand there waiting for someone. A guy walks by and makes eye contact but doesn’t come to see what I might need. Finally someone comes up and says it’ll be ten more minutes. Thirty more minutes go by and finally my car is ready. As I drive away I check my psi and notice that they’re all completely different. I call and ask if they inflate the tires properly and the guy gives me a bunch of excuses but they range from 27 to 36psi which is way off. Overall bad experience. Never going back. Would not recommend. Please don’t come here. Save yourself the trouble. PS the bathrooms are disgusting. Edit: car just notified me that my tire pressure is low. Thanks NTB.

Got a coupon from HEB so I thought I would give them a try. Set an appointment for noon to get my oil changed and tires rotated. They said they are finishing up a earlier appointment l and it would be about 5 min before my car. 45 minutes later, still nothing. I walked into the garage to get an eta as I was on my lunch break. Long story short it was going to be at minimum another hour, on top of the 45 min I already waited. So I left and the mgr seemed cool with that as it lightened his workload. What was the point of the appointment?

8002 Research Blvd
Austin, TX 78 758
*I always experience Excellent Customer Service. The Employees appreciate your business and go out of there way to make you happy and return to them. This is my 3^rd visit to NTB at this location, in Austin, TX. I have, to say it’s the Best Service I have ever received for my Car. I had, a Battery go out on me on Saturday night, and it was Wonderful they were open on Sunday to help me get my new battery installed. I «Recommend» this NTB to everyone. It get’s my flying colors for Excellent Service :) Also, ask for «Joshua» or «Richard», they will take care of you.

I went in 2 weeks ago for an oil change. They kept the car 4 hours but I had no appointment and they had it done when promised for $ 20, their regular price. This weekend I brought the other car and they’d only do it with a special oil for at least $ 50. I took the car to jiffy lube and they did it for $ 30. John the service manager is very friendly and they delivered as promised. 5 stars for the first oil change, –1 for the other car but I’ll still come here with my car.

Will never go to NTB again. They try to up sell you on everything and it takes at least 2 hours to get anything done there no matter how small or simple.

Very poor customer service. Employees not working. I spent 2 ½ hrs to fix a flat. Then they said it couldn’t be fixed and I would have to buy a new tire. Nice try. I’m taking it somewhere else. What a waste of time!!!

Went previously for an oil change and tire rotation special, noticed several days later they didn’t rotate the tires. Went again today for the same and they refused to rotate the tires but offered to sell me new ones. What a joke. Two of the tires have less than 20,000 miles on them and plenty of tread. The other two have less then 10,000. Pretty sheisty. Obviously mad but doing my best not to be rude, I swiped my card and signed to pay for my incomplete service. They said «have a nice day» after me as I walked toward the door. Definitely will not return!

I had a battery changed here twice. The first time I changed it, I had recently taken a long road trip. I remembered the NTB from my hometown being a great place. When I had to return to replace the battery 6 – 8 months later, I was told that it’s simply because my car hadn’t been driven very much and that the temperamental weather here in Central Texas was to blame. I had no reason not to believe these guys, so went ahead and bought another battery.
Later when I had squeaking breaks, they told me that my breakpads and were worn down and that the rotors were warped. I had them replace everything doubling my initial cost estimate. When the procedure took more than a few hours (actually 4.5 hours) they cut me a deal and took about $ 100 off the entire procedure. This really made me think these guys really understood customer service. Later my breaks started squeaking again and the guys told me not to worry and that it was just some of the oil that protects new breakpads in storage that was causing the noise and not to worry. It’d eventually go away.
Most recently, I had a flat tire on my back right tire due to a nail. I took my car in and when they quoted me a 45 minute wait time, I went to a nearby restaurant to eat breakfast. When I came back, it took another 1.5 hours before the work was completed. The repair had taken so long they insisted that I didn’t have to pay a penny. I was so happy, I thought I had found a reliable place to get car work done.
My joy lasted for about 24 hours until my tire went flat again. Only this time, it was my front right tire. I felt that something was off and took my car to another local shop. The lady there was kind enough to take the tire off and show me what was wrong… It was the same freaking nail. Turns out NTB had simply inflated the tire and switched it to the front wheel. They hadn’t even bothered to take out the nail. The lady took a whole 15 minutes to fix the flat and get me back on the road. On top of that she charged half the price NTB had originally quoted to fix my flat. Guess what, a month later and it’s completely fine.
I took my car to another place to get my breaks checked out. Guess what NTB lied about the work they did there as well. Now I’m wondering whether they simply sold me a used battery the first time. Too bad there’s no way to tell. The guys at the NTB at this location are a bunch of lying cheats. Sure, they’ll be nice to you when you talk with them, but unless you’re willing to take your vehicle to another mechanic to check on their work I’d avoid them altogether. I intend on reporting them to the Better Business Bureau. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.

The air compressor for my A/​C went out in the of summer! I shopped around and took my car here. They did the job for a FAR better price than he other places were offering. My car was returned quickly, and the A/​C is working splendidly. The manager Jeremy was really helpful and nice. I highly recommend this store! ¹⁰⁄₁₀

Rushed into the place at noon the day before the 4^th of July and asked for a fast oil change before a road trip. I also asked for the special they advertise, yet forgot to bring the coupon with me. Michael assisted me and his manager Jeremy gave me the deal anyway. Then I had the nerve to ask for the upgrade to synthetic blend and they obliged me without charging me extra. This was now a $ 49.99 oil change that I was going to get for $ 19.99.
Then, because I was strapped for time, they worked me in right away. 30 minutes later I was checking out and their computer system went down. We stood around for ten minutes with me glancing at my watch while they tried to process the transaction. Finally Michael reached out to shake my hand and told me to get going, he was sorry that they were having problems so the service would be comped. Just like that.
I was floored. These guys went above and beyond with their customer service.
I am a loyal customer at the dealership where I buy my vehicles, but I now intend to give this crew my business. Thank you, Michael & Jeremy!

A wonderful experience. John Smith was extremely helpful! I had an unfortunate flat tire and the spare was no good. Thus, I did not have a scheduled appointment. No problem. They worked me in and fixed the spare. All the employees were courteous and helpful.

Terrible experience. Originally went for 4 new tires and an alignment. Took 3 hours even on a not busy weekday around midday. Notice a bad shake when braking afterwards, eventually noticed there was a lug nut missing from both front wheels. Also the alignment was still off. Took it back, this time sat for 3.5 hours. The management wasn’t even apologetic, spent more time questioning if they were missing to begin with, then making excuses about how short staffed they were, then blaming the shake on the brakes. I wasn’t interested in arguing about the shake, just put the missing lug nuts back and redo the alignment as its warrantied. Just that took the 3.5 hours, and even at that the lug nuts they put back on weren’t even the right type/​fit! I was so done with the experience I didn’t even go back for round 3. Just resolved to never return and warn others to stay away.

I don’t remember names, but the gentleman who helped me was very sweet and informative. It was obvious he worked hard and cared about the customers.

Just spoke with Vinnie today. Very pleasant experience so far. He’s ordering my tires today. Will check in tomorrow for service. Very good experience on the phone. Great comparable quote. Will update after service complete.
UPDATE:
So, I got to NTB a few minutes prior to my appointment. They broke the news to me that the tires had not arrived. Bummer. However, one of the guys picked them up and delivered them quickly. All of the gentlemen were VERY professional.
Total time was 1 hour 45 minutes. Checked on me twice during the wait. Overall, pleasant experience. Car is driving well. Tires feel nice. No one tried to up sell. Will definitely visit again.
Only weird thing is that there is a guy at the front, right when you walk in that can’t help you with anything. He is very pleasant, though. I think he may be a bulk buyer or wholesaler. But, he’s the face when you walk in. Kept telling me he couldn’t help me. Well, if you can’t help the «retail» customer, you probably should be placed somewhere else. #justsayin
As I said, overall very good experience.

I purchased tires there a couple of years ago. The tires are fine, but now show some wear. I called to see if they could look them up, and see if there is any tread warranty coverage remaining. The person I spoke to said my wear is from mechanical problems, and we don’t cover that. He didn’t bother to look them up, he didn’t look at my car, or even offer to do so. I did buy new tires, but not from these people.
I would not have posted for just this alone. It was the last straw in several poor experiences with them. Not the least of which is having to wait over three hours for the tires to be installed in the first place, when I was told an hour.

It took 2 hours for 1 tire to be replaced on my 1^st visit there. Why? «we put the new guy on it, sorry» So they let the new guy labor away and let the CUSTOMER sit for 2 dang hours. Great thanks. Went there again because I had a separated tire– I thought I needed an alignment but the alignment place (Airport and Manor– REALLY GREAT GUYS) told me my alignment was fine, it was my tire– NTB said no your tire is fine. I had to have that tire replaced a week later– Went to Costco that time. One more try guys– they have online scheduling!!! Great! Scheduled the tires I needed but this time I didn’t want to go back to 183/​Anderson. I chose S I-​35. They system said based on the inventory to «schedule after Thursday 1÷22÷15. I set it for 1÷25÷15, show up and I’m so excited because there are only 2 other customers there. Wait, they don’t have my tire in stock.
NTB:Maybe we sold them
ME: I scheduled and appt for THOSE tires
NTB: Well the problem with the system is that it doesn’t transfer the information to the store
ME: You have GOT to be kidding me.
OTHER NTB GUY: Yeah that system…
ME: Get rid of the system, this is highly inconvenient!
NTB Sorry ma’am, Oakhill has the tires in stock you could go there.
ME: I need to leave this store
I go outside and call Oakhill location myself.
ME: I need these tires …
OAKHILL: We don’t have those in stock…
POKE MY EYES OUT NOW PLEASE.
I will pay triple for tires before I go back to this inept organization. The hours of my life that I have lost messing around with them. Makes me sad. Go somewhere else, it may cost more in money but you’ll be saved emotionally.

Staff here is pleasant and (as far as I can tell) the tire repair /​tire install work seems to be decent quality.
But I have stopped visiting this NTB. More than once, I have waited for (literally) a couple hours for what should be straightforward tire repairs. Waste of time — not worth it to me.

While the staff may seem helpful, that is most certainly a farce. I got a fair price for my new tires, although I’m sure if I had looked harder I could have found a better price. Unfortunately, it was a bit of an emergency and I was riding on my doughnut. After all was said and done I paid about $ 315 for four tires.
Now for the bad part. I was told that a tire pressure censor was broken and they could replace it for $ 65+ labor. They said that the censor had been broken since I drove the car off the lot 3 years prior. The car had been serviced (pressure check/​tire rotation) before so I knew that wasn’t true. I decided to get a second opinion and found my suspicions to be correct. I had to go to a Honda dealership, spend more time and money to get the censor put back on since they refused to do it. I will probably never do business with this company again and I hope that this review helps someone save their time and money.

They were very nice but tried to play me for a fool. I bought 2 new tires and an alignment and the alignment was not done correctly. I had them do it twice without any improvement for them to tell me the caster and camber on most cars couldn’t be adjusted but they couldn’t tell me specifically if my car fell into that category. I called the dealership and they told me that on my car those things could be adjusted. When I went to get my money back, I also had to get the tires balanced again because that was also done incorrectly. Basically, besides the tires, I didn’t receive anything I paid for the first time.
I’ve only gone to the NTB in Kansas City, KS and they were great, so I must say that the problem isn’t the chain but this location. Save yourself the trouble and go somewhere else.