Free Tires!
Something happened this week that has left me scratching my head. I haven’t figured out if it is good Karma repaying me for good deeds, or bad Karma setting me up for a big fall somewhere down the road.
Monday we took the SUV to have two tires put on the back. We went to a place called Discount Tire, which is all over in this area. They were friendly, quick, and we were on our way in no time.
So Wednesday, I was home from work in the morning because Tater had late start at school, which means I had a few hours to kill. I went to the DMV and got my Colorado license plates, then headed to Discount Tire with my two studded snow tires in the trunk, intending to have them put on the front of my car. After all, there is snow in the forecast and I need to have those tires on.
Well, turns out this place will not install only a pair of studs. It has to be all four. The two have been fine for me, I have a front-wheel-drive car. But they refused to install the tires unless I bought a pair for the back of the car. You probably know what my answer to that was. I turned around and walked out, telling them I’d have no trouble finding someone who would put my tires on.
I did not get to my car before a manager was behind me, asking if we could “work it out.” I said flat out I wasn’t buying tires, that I’d bought tires earlier in the week for another car, and that I didn’t need tires. This is where it got strange.
“How about I give you tires.”
That’s what he said. That’s exactly what he said. I made him repeat it. Twice.
“Oooookay,” was my response.
Inside we went. He took info from me, looked to see if the tires were in stock, and showed me the estimated bill. Zero dollars. And yes, they could have me done and out in time to get Tater to school by 11. And they’d put on my license plates for me. For zero dollars.
I walked out 20 minutes later with my old studs on the front, new studs on the back, and all four of my summer tires bagged up and in my trunk. Read that last part again: all four of my summer tires BAGGED up and in my trunk. And I’d paid zero dollars.
Two days later, I’m still a little stunned, a little incredulous, and waiting for the other shoe to drop.
One thing I know is that I will be doing business with Discount Tire for years to come. When I was walking out of there without my tires being done, I was considering how many people I was going to tell about my terrible experience there. Now? I’m telling everyone about my incredible experience there, and not only that, I’ll be taking all of my work to them in the future. I’m sure the manager was out maybe $100 for the tires. But he’ll make way more than that on us in the future, so this is a gamble that will certainly pay off for him.
Me? I’m happy to be tooling down the road on my noisy studded snow tires. Just waiting for that first flake to fall… Oh, and the sidewalls of the tires are etched with bears, mountains and snowflakes. How cool is that?
