Not truck related but tire shopping experience

[RyanbabZ71]

My gf bought a 93 escort about a month ago. 60K miles.  Pretty good car.  Needs a new idler tensioner (making noise) and i got one for free.  Well her dad has been checking things out and one of the tires is bad so she wants to go tire shopping at 7pm (after i got home from school).  First 2 places closed.  Next place a penske autocenter (kmart owned?).  We pull in i walk up to the door and it says hrs 8-7.  It was almost 7:30 so i start walking back to my truck and i see a guy running to the door.  He said whatcha need for your truck?  I said i need a new tire but not for my truck.  he said bring it in and we will see what we can do.  Take it in and have 3 choices all goodyear (which he dad wanted her to get).  By now its almost 7:45.  Get the new tire guy who put it on said NEVER USE FIX A FLAT he said the liquid stays inside the tire throwing off the balance.  He said thats what ruined this tire.  Got out of there around 7:50.  I was pretty amazed they helped us after hrs.  Great place very clean shop as well i couldnt believe it.  Floors were spotless.

I guess there are still good businesses out there

[Jpshostr]

Yes, its been my experience that there are good people and good businesses still out there, you just have to look pretty hard to find them.

[Kania2k1]

It amazes me sometimes how customer service has gone down the tubes so quickly.  But man it's great to get great service.  I bet you'll probably go back there woun't cha?  Even if the cost is a little higher, I would rather pay more and have great service, than be cheap and get nothing.

[RyanbabZ71]

Personally i wouldnt go there because they do not really carry "truck" tires other than goodyear AT/S

But i wouldnt think twice to go there if needed

It wasnt that expensive ?.99 for a tire (175/70/R13 i think it was)

Compared to ? for my 285s

[Stepside Z]

It really feels good when you get good service. The 2 shops I deal with here are both great so I know how you feel.

[Stepside Z]

By the way what you were saying about the fix a flat, I worked at a gas station in High School and we would not touch a tire that someone put fix a flat in. It makes the biggest mess you ever saw.

[NewbieZ71]

I always heard that the stuff is solely for you to get to home, period.  Shouldnt drive far, shouldnt get the tire fixed, nothing.  I believe that its even somewhat dangerous to drive long term with the stuff in it.  I assume the reason is the out of balance issue.  I hate to ruin a tire but I'd rather know the wife has something in case AAA cant get there for some reason...we have one in her trunk...  

[Kansas Kid]

I use a small service station that is in a town about 20 minutes away from my tires.  I go to school with a kid who works there, so I know the job is getting done right.  Besides, if I ever need a flat repair or something all it costs me is a 12-pack of beer.  Split equally between the two of use, of course.  :biggrin:

[Kania2k1]

I remember seeing something in the "Life's little instruction manual" to the small service station effect.  Something like "Take your car to the small local service station down the street.  The prices might be higher, but when your car won't start in the winter, you'll be glad they know you!"