Mondays at the tire shop

[wmtire]

Your customer base is quite interesting.

Probably none so than other retailers. I try to just talk about the funny/interesting ones. You most likely would rather hear about the train wrecks, than the normal boring flow of traffic.

 

[RobbieH]

Probably none so than other retailers. I try to just talk about the funny/interesting ones. You most likely would rather hear about the train wrecks, than the normal boring flow of traffic.

For sure!
I'm betting our tire shop here in town has a very similar track record with customers. Technically we have two tire shops, but I only go to one. The other shop was owned by an individual who I suspect was much like you, it was my go-to, but he sold out years ago, so I moved to the other shop. I prefer to do business with a place where the owner is who you work with, if you know what I mean.

 

[dblr]

Probably none so than other retailers. I try to just talk about the funny/interesting ones. You most likely would rather hear about the train wrecks, than the normal boring flow of traffic.

You have normal customers ??????

 

[Oaklevel]

I can get used tires for $25 ................................................ but my way back machine is broke.......... that was a few years ago.................

 

[Oaklevel]

You have normal customers ??????

I am wondering that too...............................

 

[wmtire]

You have normal customers ??????

Lots of them. Abby Normal.

 

[reidfo]

Lots of them. Abby Normal.

haha. Such a great movie. Side note, if you do an image search for "Abby Normal" be prepared for what results you'll see. People wearing their birthday suits rather than bunny suits. Just a warning.

 

[jimmarako]

How do you have so many used tires? I can't be the only person that gets new tires when the old ones are fairly worn out.. down to the wear bars at least. I'm sure you see a couple dozen customers each day, and someone will always want to swap out for some newer, more aggressive, etc... It seems every week you have a story of selling someone a used tire(s). And you always have their size. Does every one in Louisiana use Michelin model XGV, size 75-R, 14-inch wheel?

 

[Oaklevel]

How do you have so many used tires? I can't be the only person that gets new tires when the old ones are fairly worn out.. down to the wear bars at least. I'm sure you see a couple dozen customers each day, and someone will always want to swap out for some newer, more aggressive, etc... It seems every week you have a story of selling someone a used tire(s). And you always have their size. Does every one in Louisiana use Michelin model XGV, size 75-R, 14-inch wheel?

On 4x4s you often have to change all four tires if you ruin one. Also many change out to custom rims and tires are often changed too...... New car take Offs that have low miles.....

On the buying side I have bought used tires to put on a car that I am having painted or in the restoration process (long ago) and vehicle I'm not keeping long....... Farm Equipment etc.

 

[wmtire]

How do you have so many used tires? I can't be the only person that gets new tires when the old ones are fairly worn out.. down to the wear bars at least. I'm sure you see a couple dozen customers each day, and someone will always want to swap out for some newer, more aggressive, etc... It seems every week you have a story of selling someone a used tire(s). And you always have their size. Does every one in Louisiana use Michelin model XGV, size 75-R, 14-inch wheel?

There are actually used tire distributers/wholesalers.

 

[GolfingDave]

There are actually used tire distributers/wholesalers.

When I needed a tire repair about a month ago the only place that was open on a Sunday was "..... Used Tires"
Don't recall the full name but no sense waiting/wasting time until Monday.
They were pretty well booked up with appointments for that day.

 

[wmtire]

. It seems every week you have a story of selling someone a used tire(s). And you always have their size. Does every one in Louisiana use Michelin model XGV, size 75-R, 14-inch wheel?

As far as having the right sizes, that is wishful thinking. I probably miss about 2/3 rds of used tire sales by not having the size they need. The customers purchasing used tires are majority those with older vehicles. They also tend to run their tires down to the air.

Now we talk about the vehicle market and tire sizes. The people who purchase tires that still have usable tread left on the pulloffs are more newer/later vehicle model year owners. However these pulloffs aren't necessarily the tire sizes that were on the older vehicles that customers are demanding used tires for.

Pickup trucks are a good example. They used to have 15 inch rim diameter tires but all the full size trucks from most manufacturers switched over to 16s around year 2000. They are now 17,18,20, and even 22 inch rim diameters. Bigger rims, allow bigger brakes.

Remember all the Ford Explorer rollovers and the huge Firestone recall that led up to mandate of TPMS in the late 90s. Those were 235/75R15. I may get one used tire that size every few months. I could sell 4 every day. People are surprised when you don't have 15 inch used tires for their old trailers. You have to explain there is no supply as no truck manufacturer has used the size for over 20+ years. .....so there is demand but no supply. I always tell them there are plenty of new tire factories but have yet to find a used tire factory. Lol

 

[cboss]

Our maintenance guys at the campground found this on their work truck this morning. The tire did not lose any air until they pulled it out. And yes they "plugged" it! BTW in case you can't tell it's a wire wheel/brush for a drill.

 

[Springerdad]

Our maintenance guys at the campground found this on their work truck this morning. The tire did not lose any air until they pulled it out. And yes they "plugged" it! BTW in case you can't tell it's a wire wheel/brush for a drill.
View attachment 739689

Blasphemy!!!! Never ever plug a tire!! Lol

 

[reidfo]

Our maintenance guys at the campground found this on their work truck this morning. The tire did not lose any air until they pulled it out. And yes they "plugged" it! BTW in case you can't tell it's a wire wheel/brush for a drill.
View attachment 739689

Shame about the tire. That wire brush has seen better days though.

 

[sailorsam20500]

Bobby, did you change your name??? I seee why you were able to pick up the wives, you are one handsome dude..

 

[wmtire]

This actually started my Monday off good....for a change. Had a female customer call me on the phone inquiring about a new tire. I had one (and only one) in stock her size. She said she was going to get her vehicle towed up here as it didn't have a spare.

Her husband just came in here and paid for the tire so I wouldn't sell it possibly before the car was towed in.

What made my day, was he was telling me that I told him and his wife a joke the last time they were here....and it really resonated with his wife. She had told her husband they were definitely going to do business with me. So my joke evidently paid off. LOL

The husband couldn't recall which joke it was, and I said it's usually one of three. He remembered it as soon as I told him a title, but said he wanted to hear the other two now when he came back for the vehicle.

 

[kenandterry]

Our maintenance guys at the campground found this on their work truck this morning. The tire did not lose any air until they pulled it out. And yes they "plugged" it! BTW in case you can't tell it's a wire wheel/brush for a drill.
View attachment 739689

“…found this on their work truck this morning.”
If someone didn’t purposely ram it into the tread while the vehicle was parked overnight, how is it that this wasn’t found immediately after driving over it? A person had to know something was wrong with a tire somewhere by the thump-thump-thump while still being driven back to the yard.

 

[NXR]

Probably couldn't tell over the vibration from the massive woofers.

And being oblivious seems to be commonplace nowadays.

 

[Oaklevel]

Probably couldn't tell over the vibration from the massive woofers.

And being oblivious seems to be commonplace nowadays.

Well maybe I should not admit to this, and probably didn't shake the ground......... but when we were in high school we listened to Led Zep and Black Sabbath way too loud and probably seemed oblivious to our elders too.................... probably why I have a hearing loss today............. What ya say????