How does the old saying go? “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”
Last week, on Thursday morning, I headed into my work office to “cash out” from my three days of driving. A couple of weeks ago, I had a warning from the infotainment system that told me there was one tire low – it was the rear driver’s side. I had it checked, and it just needed air, so as I left the driveway, for some reason, I decided to check the air pressure in my tires. What I learned was that the other rear tire was low this time. Before driving the 15 miles to the office, I figured I’d better get the tire checked at the company that helped me before.
Bad news … there was a screw near the sidewall of the tire. The repair guy told me he wouldn’t patch the tire and that he didn’t have the brand of tire that is on my car, so I’d have to replace all four tires. Since this car was purchased here in Florida in May and only has 11,000 miles, that was bad enough news, but to make it worse, the cost was going to be nearly $2,400!
That company suggested I check with the dealership to see if they have the same brand and could replace the one with the screw. They added air for me. I called the dealership. They told me they would need the size to be sure they had the same tire. Because I was driving, I told the service guy I would check and call him back.
Once I arrived at the office, my boss asked me how my day was going, so I told her my story. Since she owns a cab company with four cabs, she had a suggestion for a place to have the tire checked. It was a tire shop about one mile from the office, so I thought the advice was good.
I pulled up to the shop, and two guys came to me before I was stopped and asked me if they could help me. I told them my story. They went to tell who I assumed was their boss. He came out to look at the tire and told me most shops wouldn’t patch the tire because of where the screw was, but he would, but without a guarantee. He told me they have very good luck with the patches, and the worst case would be that it might start leaking, and then the tire would need to be replaced. I figured the $28 patch vs. the $600 tire was worth the gamble, and since the dealership could only tell me they would fit me in and get me on the road before 4:00 p.m., I told the tire shop guy to go ahead. In less than twenty minutes, I was on my way down the road.
That day went from looking like I’d be spending $2,400, to maybe spending $600, to actually spending $28. All-in-all, what looked like a pretty bad day turned out pretty well.
What’s the other saying? “It pays to shop around.”
Have A Good Week!
