I work as a tire fitter. I’m a bit tired (pun intended) today, so instead of going into the shop to use our computer program to send a text message to customers looking for quotes, I take up my work phone and send a text message to let a customer know the work is done. I normally don’t do this, because then the customers get my direct number, and I don’t always have the time to answer the phone.

Not many minutes after I sent the text, my phone rings.

Caller: “I just received a text from you saying my tires are done and ready to be picked up.”

Me: “Yes, that’s right.”

I confirm the details with him. As we talk, I realise this is not the customer I was expecting. I sent the text to the wrong number; I managed to press the last digit as an eight when it was supposed to be nine. I have messaged someone who, by sheer coincidence, was also waiting for a quote for tire work.

Caller: “Since I already have you on the line, my winter tires are worn out and I need new ones. Could you give me a price offer?”

Me: *Surprised* “No problem, give me a minute to get to my computer. Where in the country are you so I can send the offer for tires to a department close to you?”

Caller: “I live [ten minutes from my location].”

I’m stunned! In Norway, we don’t have area codes or anything like that; I could just as easily have sent the message to someone on the other end of the country, but of the 5.3 million people that live in Norway, I managed to send the message to someone living ten minutes away!

I ended up selling him a set of our best tires.

He told me he had been really confused by my message since it was so accurate, because he also had a flat tire that he needed fixing.

Even their names were similar.

I work at a tire shop, where we also do a few other maintenance packages, such as brakes. I see an online appointment pop up for a wheel balance. The only thing listed on the appointment is just a balance; no rotate or any other comments listed. I accept it and wait for the customer to arrive.

Customer: “I’m here for my online appointment.”

Me: “Okay, I see you’re in for a balance.”

I ask a few general questions, such as why he believes his wheels are out of balance — any shaking at high speeds, shaking in the steering wheel, etc.

Customer: “I’ve got some shaking. I think a balance will fix it, so just the balance today.”

Me: “Yes, sir.”

My tech takes the wheels off to balance them but notices that the customer’s rear brakes are metal to metal. There is literally no pad left to them, which has also caused damage to the rotors.

Me: “So, we balanced out your tires, but your rear brakes and rotors are shot. There’s no pad left, and they’ve caused damage to the rotors, as well. At this point, we are recommending rear pads and rotors for this vehicle.”

Customer: “Oh, we’re getting ready to go on a road trip. I can’t afford to put brakes on at this time.”

Me: “That’s okay, but I would highly advise not using this vehicle for your trip, for safety reasons.”

Customer: “Okay.”

The customer pays for the balance and leaves. A few minutes go by and the customer returns with his wife.

Customer’s Wife: “Why didn’t you guys rotate my tires?!”

Me: “My apologies. I wasn’t made aware that you requested a rotation.”

I double-check the online appointment just to make sure.

Me: “No, ma’am, nothing was mentioned on the online booking that you requested a rotation, and your husband confirmed that we were just doing a wheel balance.”

Customer’s Wife: “I have a coupon!”

Me: “That’s fine, ma’am. If you hand me your keys, I will have my tech pull it back in and rotate the tires for you at no charge.”

Customer’s Wife: “Why didn’t you use my coupon?!”

Me: “I wasn’t aware you had a coupon; your husband never mentioned it. But no worries, we can go ahead and still do the rotate for you.”

Customer’s Wife: “This is unbelievable!”

She storms out. The husband and I stand there for a few moments.

Me: “So, you gonna tell her about the rear brakes, or would you like me to?”

They both left without a free rotate. The next day, they left two negative reviews for my store. Guess you just can’t please everyone.

I get some new tires for my mini SUV. On the way home, the ride is bouncier than ever. I check the pressure, which is at twice the value on the door sticker. I call the store.

Me: “Hi. I just bought some tires there, and I was wondering why you would use fifty psi for an 1800-pound vehicle?”

Manager: “Um, because that’s what it says on the side of the tire?”

Me: “You do know what ‘max load rating’ means, right?”

Manager: “Uhhh… If you come back, we’ll let some air out of the tires for you.”

Me: “I’ve got it, thank you.”

I still buy tires there, because they seem honest and generally do a good job. You just have to check afterward.

This morning, I take my car in for a service and announce to the man at the desk:

Me: “I’ve brought in the Subaru.”

He just looks at me. It only then occurs to me that as I am at our local Subaru main dealer, this is hardly useful information!

Me: “Er… I’ve brought in [registration number].”

Worker: “Certainly, sir, we’ve got you booked in. Keys, please.”

I have come to the customer’s home to change a flat tire. This scenario has repeated many times:

Me: “Good morning. The first thing we need to do is get hold of your spare tire.”

Customer: “I don’t think the tire has a hole in it. I think it went down because the temperature dropped.”

Me: “Do you think that tire got colder than the other three?”

Customer: “…”

Related:
A Very Tire-ing Conversation