Trivia - A good experience at a tire company.

[ConsAreLiars]

A year ago I went to a tire company to get a couple of bald tires replaced before going on a summer camping trip. They noted that my radiator was dripping anti-freeze (ah, that was that 'bang' I heard from the engine compartment while driving to their location). They sold me the tires and replaced the radiator, and got me off to my vacation on schedule. A franchise, but a family business run by Mom, Dad, and a kid or three. While hanging out there a bit of idle chatter (hard times, Boosh, etc) made it clear that they were decent people insofar as political outlook can be a clue.

So when I had a flat a couple days ago I took the tire there for a repair. I walked up to the counter with the tire, they asked if I bought it from them, I said yes, and gave my name and phone #. When I picked it up they gave me the fixed tire, said thanks, and sent me on my way. No charge. No bill. No demand to see the guarantee paperwork and original receipt. No interrogation about what caused the flat (road hazard, etc). No pointing at fine print or even asking about how many years ago the tire was bought, or measuring tread ware. They just fixed it for free.

Well, it's been a long time since I've had a "business" encounter like this, where gouging the customer wasn't the over-riding "value," so I wanted to give them a public note of appreciation.

This was the "Big O" franchise at
[phone]
2701 4th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134

Seattle Air America Advertisers http://am1090seattle.com/pages/17034.php might also be a good place to find good businesses, and I'm sure there are more lists. But you can add these people.

[sutz12]

1. If I lived a little closer, I would definitely go there.

Thanks for the positive story.

:thumbsup:

[ConsAreLiars]

2. Their approach of providing a service rather than nickle-and-diming

their customers seems to be paying off, as it should. I've been there before, including once or twice under a previous management, and it is a location I once passed every day on my way to work until I changed jobs a couple years ago. This time, unlike all the previous occasions and a year or so ago when they first took over the franchise, their lot was absolutely packed. When I pulled in one of the employees was helping a driver inch his way out of the very tight double-parked location. In some settings this kind of extra business would translate into extra stress, but the people I encountered (including "Mom" an "Dad") and a couple others, seemed quite relaxed and easy-going, and competent and efficient, but not rushed or short-tempered in any way. Rather a nice experience, even worth the hassle of having a flat.

[uppityperson]

3. Thanks for the recommendation. I've found Les Schwab does this too

but I live in a small town, not sure if this is universal to all. They will fix tires for free, want to have you as a customer and are willing to do extra to keep us happy.

[ConsAreLiars]

4. I don't think it is brand so much as the individual operators.

The national corporation can certainly have an influence, one way or the other, but even if the policy is to fix flats on their tires free the individual operator can still be an ass, not even mention that policy unless the customer demands a freebie, and then demand proof of purchase, etc.

(edit typo)

[Pierzin]

5. I thought they were awesome too!! Work Vehicle

I used to work just down the street from them, and I took our work vehicle in to rotate the tires, or something trivial, and they just did it. Just like that! No charge, no hassle nothing. It would have been a hassle for us to do it at our job site because our jack wasn't working, and one of the tires was low. So when we had to get the tire replaced, I piped in to the boss that we should get all of our work there. But alas, we had to go somewhere else because we didn't have a corporate account set up there. Bummer. I really wanted to give them some business.

[LisaM]

6. Don't know the politics of Les Schwab, but they are good

Once I got a flat up in Marysville - packed car, with a friend and two dogs. I climbed through the fence to a boat repair shop in Marysville, called Les Schwab, told them where I was, and within TEN MINUTES - no lie, they were there, with a new tire, changed my tire, took the old one and sent me on my way, and their service charge was only something like $20. I couldn't believe it.

[Pierzin]

7. OMG!!!!

damn girl! that is fuckinging amazing!

[SeattleVet]

8. My first Les Schwab experience was getting a flat fixed.

I was in and out in under an hour (they apologized for the delay - they were really busy). When I asked how much it was the guy said, "Nothing - we fix flats for free." I expressed amazement, and he completed his thought..."You'll probably remember this when it's time to buy tires". I sire did, and have been a customer ever since.

I bought my first set of tires from them soon afterward. It was February, and when I went to pay they asked whether I wanted T-bones or ground beef. Huh??? Well, it turned out that February is "Meat Month", and you get free steaks and stuff with your purchase!

When it was time for tires for our '96 Outback we went there and got their top-of-the-line, 100,000 mile warranty Toyo Z-800 Ultras. About 3 or 4 months later we hit something on I-5 near the Tacoma Dome, and didn't realize that the tire had actually gone flat until we hit the curve in the Battery Street Tunnel. I put on the spare and brought the flat one in to them the next day. I told them I hit something on the road, but couldn't pull over for a while, and that the sidewall was probably damaged. They did a tread check and gave us a 100% replacement; no charge, mounted, balanced, and fully warranted. When it was time for new tires again late last year we bought another set of the same type.

I don't know or really care about their politics (if any), but they *really* have that little 'customer service' thing down to a science!