Why would the guy expect them to be any good in snow and ice? It's a summer tyre. Every summer tyre is crap in snow and ice which is the sole reason winter tyres are available.
I had T1Rs on my Lupo GTi and they are very good in the dry but would suggest something like Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric if you want good grip in the wet.
Just heading into the winter now the Toyos wouldn't be my first choice, for warm dry weather they are superb.