Interco Consumer Return Policy

This Consumer Return Policy applies to all customers purchasing Interco tires directly from Interco or through authorized dealers. This policy works together with the Interco Receiving & Inspection Policy and the Interco Limited Warranty Policy. Customers should review all applicable policies to understand eligibility for returns, replacements, freight claims, or warranty consideration.

1. Shipping or Delivery Issues

Shipping-related concerns are not warranty issues and must be handled under the Interco Receiving & Inspection Policy.

Inspection at Time of Delivery

The customer or receiving party is responsible for inspecting the shipment for visible damage or discrepancies before accepting delivery.

Before signing the carrier's Bill of Lading (BOL), delivery receipt, or Proof of Delivery (POD), the receiving party must inspect the shipment for any reasonably visible issues, including:

  • Damage to the tires or packaging
  • Paint, oil, chemicals, dirt, or other foreign substances
  • Cuts, abrasions, scuffs, punctures, or other physical damage
  • Missing tires or incorrect quantities
  • Incorrect products
  • Damaged pallets, wrapping, banding, or other signs of improper handling
  • Any other visible condition suggesting damage occurred during transportation

Any visible damage, shortage, contamination, or other discrepancy must be clearly noted on the carrier's BOL, delivery receipt, or Proof of Delivery before the receiving party signs for the shipment.

The receiving party should describe the issue as specifically as possible rather than simply writing "damaged."

The customer should retain a copy of the signed delivery document and photograph the condition of the shipment before it is moved, unpacked, cleaned, mounted, or otherwise altered.

Importance of BOL Documentation

Documentation on the carrier's delivery record is necessary for Interco to establish that visible damage or a delivery discrepancy existed when the shipment was delivered and to pursue a freight claim with the carrier.

If visible damage or a visible discrepancy is present at delivery but the shipment is accepted and the BOL, delivery receipt, or POD is signed without notation, Interco may be unable to pursue a freight claim.

Claims involving visible shipping damage that was not documented with the carrier at the time of delivery may therefore be denied.

If the shipment has significant visible damage, the customer should contact Interco when possible and may refuse the affected shipment or affected portion of the shipment.

48-Hour Inspection and Reporting Period

Customers must fully inspect all tires within 48 hours of the carrier's recorded delivery time.

The following must be reported to Interco in writing within that 48-hour period:

  • Wrong product received
  • Missing items
  • Quantity discrepancies
  • Visible shipping or handling damage
  • Concealed shipping damage discovered after delivery
  • Foreign substances or contamination
  • Any other delivery-related issue

Damage that could not reasonably have been discovered during the initial delivery inspection must still be reported to Interco within 48 hours of delivery, along with photographs and all available documentation.

Reporting an issue within 48 hours does not guarantee approval of a freight claim, return, credit, or replacement. Freight claims remain subject to documentation, inspection, carrier requirements, and Interco's review.

Conditions for Shipping-Related Claims

For a shipping-related return, replacement, credit, or freight claim to be considered:

  • Tires must remain unmounted and unused.
  • Tires must remain in the condition in which they were received.
  • The customer must provide photographs documenting the condition.
  • The issue must be reported to Interco in writing within 48 hours of delivery.
  • Visible damage or discrepancies present at the time of delivery must have been noted on the carrier's BOL, delivery receipt, or Proof of Delivery before the shipment was signed for.
  • A copy of the signed delivery documentation may be required.

Claims received after the 48-hour reporting period are not eligible for shipping-related return, replacement, credit, or freight claim consideration and will not be reviewed as warranty claims.

If the 48-hour inspection and reporting requirements are not met, the shipment will be considered accepted as delivered.

2. Returns for Non-Warranty Reasons

Interco does not accept consumer returns due to:

  • Change of mind
  • Wrong size purchased
  • Ordering errors by the customer
  • Fitment issues
  • Cosmetic concerns reported after the 48-hour inspection window
  • Tires that have been mounted, used, altered, cleaned, repaired, or damaged after delivery

Because tires become non-resalable once mounted or used, all sales are final unless the return qualifies under:

  • The Interco Receiving & Inspection Policy, or
  • The Interco Limited Warranty Policy

No exceptions will be made for mounted or used tires.

3. Returns Related to Warranty

Manufacturing defects are handled exclusively under the Interco Limited Warranty Policy and not under this Consumer Return Policy.

To qualify for warranty review:

  • The issue must involve a legitimate manufacturing defect.
  • Tires must have been used for their intended purpose.
  • Proof of purchase is required.
  • All documentation required under the Interco Limited Warranty Policy must be submitted.

Shipping damage, freight damage, handling damage, contamination during transportation, or other delivery-related conditions are not manufacturing defects and are not covered under the Limited Warranty.

Competition/Sticky tires do not carry a manufacturer's warranty and are not returnable for defect consideration.

4. Return Shipping Responsibilities

Unless a return results from an Interco shipping error properly reported within the applicable 48-hour inspection period:

  • The customer is responsible for freight costs associated with returning tires.
  • Interco does not cover mounting, balancing, installation, or removal charges.
  • Any additional service charges are the responsibility of the customer.

Tires damaged during return shipping may be refused or deemed ineligible for credit or replacement.

5. Return Authorization Requirement

All consumer returns require a Return Authorization (RA) number issued by Interco Tire Corporation.

  • Unauthorized returns may be refused.
  • RA numbers must be clearly marked on the return shipment.
  • Issuance of an RA number does not guarantee a refund, credit, replacement, or warranty adjustment.
  • All returned tires remain subject to final inspection by Interco.

6. Condition Requirements for Accepted Returns

For any return to be considered, tires must:

  • Be unmounted and unused.
  • Be in substantially the same condition in which they were received.
  • Be free from damage or alterations occurring after delivery.
  • Match the DOT and item information submitted for authorization.

Interco reserves the right to refuse any tire that does not meet these requirements.

7. Final Determination

Interco Tire Corporation reserves the right to make the final determination regarding any return, replacement, credit, freight claim, or warranty consideration based upon:

  • Delivery documentation
  • BOL, delivery receipt, or Proof of Delivery notations
  • Photographic evidence
  • Date and time the issue was reported
  • Compliance with this policy
  • Carrier requirements
  • Physical inspection of the tire or shipment

8. Related Policies

This policy works in conjunction with:

  • Interco Receiving & Inspection Policy
  • Interco Limited Warranty Policy
  • Dealer/Distributor Inventory Return Policy for authorized resellers

Customers should review all applicable policies before submitting a return or claim.

For additional information or assistance with a return or delivery issue, please contact Interco Tire Corporation.

 

Revised January 25, 2023