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Dumpster Diver Finds Tires Thrown Out By Shop. Then He Sees What They Did To Them

"If they were good..."

Dumpster diver tries to pick up tires thrown out by shop

Photo by: TikTok

Stacy Fernandez

By: Stacy Fernandez

Aug 27, at 8:00am ET

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In this economy, plenty of people have side hustles, some more out of the ordinary than others.

There’s the usual Ubering, DoorDashing, dog walking, and babysitting. Then there are folks doing things you may have never even thought of, like professional cuddling or illegally Airbnbing their apartments.

What this man is doing to make extra cash may seem OK at first, but people in the comments are criticizing him for trying to make a buck on a sale that could put someone’s life at risk.

In a viral video with more than 434,000 views, content creator Manny Gomez (@mannygomezzzz) shared what he does to make extra income, and it’s probably a gig you’ve never heard of.

In the video, which was taken down as of Wednesday, he’s about to go dumpster diving. but not for food or home supplies like others do.

He’s diving for used tires to sell.

Is This Considered Stealing?

In the clip, you can see two sets of five to six tires stacked on top of each other in the alleyway of a tire shop. Gomez was getting ready to take them when he noticed that the workers had done something to render them useless to him.

“Bro, these [expletive] tire shops are [expletive]. Look at these tires. They're good as [expletive], but look, they drill holes into them so nobody [expletive] picks them up and sells them,” he says as he comes to the realization.

The discarded tires, some of which look pretty worn down and others that appear to have plenty of tread on them (though you don’t know what other defects they carry), are full of holes all throughout.

Presumably, the workers drilled them into the tires before throwing them out so that they wouldn’t be reused or resold. Because, of course, you can't drive around on a tire that won’t hold air, and patching that many holes is not only not worth it but definitely unsafe.

“Knocking on someone’s hustle why they do that,” Gomez added in the caption.

Is It Legal to Sell Used Tires?

Generally, yes. Tire Review reports that selling used tires is not inherently illegal. But a legal sale can still leave a dealer facing a liability claim if the tire turns out to be defective.

Arkansas trial attorney Tab Turner told the publication that, under most state laws, a business that distributes a defective product may be held legally responsible whether that product is new or used. That can include the used-tire dealer even if it did not know about the defect when it made the sale. The exact outcome depends on the defect, what caused the failure, and the applicable state law.

Turner said used-product dealers should inspect what they sell, disclose known risks, be honest about what has and has not been inspected, and make sure the customer understands the product's used condition. Some sellers use “as is” disclaimers in an attempt to limit their exposure. But the wording is not a guaranteed escape hatch, especially if an unsafe tire reaches the road.

Are Used Tires Worth the Risk?

Used tires aren't automatically unsafe. But unlike a new set, they come with a past the buyer usually can't verify. A tire may have survived a pothole, spent years underinflated, or undergone a questionable repair without showing obvious damage from the outside.

Raymond's Tire Service, which sells both new and used tires, says internal damage and sidewall separation may not be visible during a basic inspection. Age matters, too. Rubber deteriorates over time, so a tire with plenty of tread can still be a bad buy if it is several years old.

Then there is the tread itself. A used tire may technically remain above the legal minimum of 2/32”, though it is approaching the end of its usable life. That leaves less traction in rain or snow and gives the buyer less time before another replacement is necessary. Raymond's also warns shoppers to look for plugs, patches, or multiple previous repairs that may not meet current safety standards.

Tires Easy, an online retailer that sells new tires, raises a similar concern: Even a trained inspector may not be able to spot every sign of internal damage. It also notes that reduced tread can hurt wet- and snow-weather performance, while the remaining life of a used tire depends heavily on how it was driven and maintained before it reached the seller.

Pros Of Used Tires

The lower upfront price
They can work as a short-term solution
Buying one or two may solve an immediate problem
Some used tires have relatively little wear

Cons Of Used Tires

Their history is usually unknown
Not every problem is visible
There is less tread and less remaining life
Age can be deceptive
Past repairs can create another layer of risk

Gallery: What To Do When Your Factory Tires Need Replacing

Tips To Buy New Tires On A Budget

When buying a tire, you need to find one that fits the vehicle, weather, and driving habits without paying for features you don’t need.

Tire Barn, which sells tires, recommends starting with the local climate. All-season tires may be the more economical choice in places with mild winters, while drivers who regularly face snow and prolonged cold may need a tire built for those conditions. A cheaper tire is not much of a deal if it can’t withstand the conditions it'll drive on.

Tire Barn also recommends shopping around, comparing online and in-store prices, and looking for promotions, package deals, and clearance events.

And prioritize maintenance once you have tires. Regular pressure checks, rotations, and alignments can help tires wear evenly and delay the next replacement.

‘They Did It For Safety Reasons’

People in the comments section came at Gomez for not only trying to make a buck on a tire shop's trash but also for the potential repercussions of his side gig sales.

“Reselling dry rotted or worn out tires to people isn’t a hustle,” a top comment read.

“They did it for safety reasons,” a person said.

What do you think?

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Comments

"Your side hustle gets people [hurt]. if they were good they'd make more by selling them,” another pointed out.

Motor1 reached out to Gomez for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We’ll be sure to update this if he responds.

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