Mondays at the tire shop

wmtire said:
I just talked to the most honest crook ever. Guy calls up on phone with a VOIP number showing on caller ID. Tells me this is a courtesy call as he is on his way to disconnect my power.

He is trying to get me to call a number he wants to provide me so I can avoid this. I tell him I don't need such as I have an app on my phone that shows me my electric bills. As I am opening the app to see what possible problem there could be (as my bill is autodrafted) it occurs to me that this is a scam. He is telling me that I "have" to call this number to get it taken care of cause the app or computer won't be able to stop the disconnect.

I now have my app open and there is no balance on my accounts, and all is good. He is still insisting I call this number he is trying to provide me. Before I tell him I have no balance or even that my account is autodrafted....I just directly ask him "Be honest, have you ever found someone stupid enough to fall for this BS (used different term) you are shoveling?"

He paused for a bit, as I guess he was trying to figure if he should give up or press further. He gave up. He replied "You'd be surprised" while chuckling.

I kinda chuckled back and said "Probably not". I then asked if it would be worth my time to even try and find out this number showing on my ID. He told me it would be a waste of time, which I retorted back, that I figured as much. I did tell him he was going to be on the internet though. He didn't say anything and I let him ponder on that.. as I hung up and raced to my computer to make my words come true.
Click to expand...
This scam is well known (at least in these parts) as it's on frequent news broadcasts and in mailings from local utilities.

People like this only score on those who don't read the fillers in their bills or think the notices themselves are a scam.

Old P. T. Barnum was right.
 
I wounder where you keep finding all these weird folk. Do they only live in your town? Good laugh for the day Later RJD
 
This one starts out before I even get to the shop. It has to do with an employee of a convenience store I frequent. She is fairly new and one of her coworkers had already complained to me that this new employee just likes to argue. I got to experience it first hand this morning when stopping in to get a breakfast sandwich.

This new girl knows I work at a tire shop so she asked me why her tire pressure on her dashboard shows she has 23 psi this morning in one tire. I told her she probably had a hole in it. She then by reflex, tells me "No, she knows she doesn't have any holes in it".

I glance over at her coworker, which is the one who had told me previously how this girl likes to argue everything, and thought it better not to engage.

I just flatly told her, then she must have someone stealing the air out of it........or if she wanted to fix the hole I knew she had in it, to come see me....then walked off to the cash register. She was still trying to argue but was talking to herself as no one else was engaging. I'm sure we all know at least one person like this.......but unfortunately for me, I know many.
 
Nothing humorous here, but is kinda strange. I have replaced 4 different TPMS sensors this morning in 4 different vehicles......all of which are 2019 or 2020 GM products (Two Chevrolet Silverados, One GMC Denali, and one GMC Yukon). It's all the same type sensor too. Wondering if a defect is showing up.
20250321_140436.jpg
 
Last edited:
It's called planned obsolescence. The car companies spend lots of money just making sure things wear out. We built labs for one of the big 3 and were told that "off the record".
 
My little 2010 Hyundai Accent still had functioning TPS when I sold it last December. So they lasted
14 years. Also still good on my 2017 Nissan Titan. Wondering if my 2021 Chevy Bolt will last as long?
I'm thinking probably not... Also curious if you'd share what it cost$ to Replace a Chevy TPS?
 
KyDan said:
My little 2010 Hyundai Accent still had functioning TPS when I sold it last December. So they lasted
14 years. Also still good on my 2017 Nissan Titan. Wondering if my 2021 Chevy Bolt will last as long?
I'm thinking probably not... Also curious if you'd share what it cost$ to Replace a Chevy TPS?
Click to expand...
I use a universal programmable sensor for $55 installed in GM stuff. They are one of the more easier to replace and program. Usually can clone their sensor ID.

See that 9033 number on the sensor. I can program that 8 digit alphanumeric individual sensor ID into a new sensor so the vehicle still thinks it's the original sensor already programmed to the vehicle (aka cloning)

Screenshot_20250322_071046_Gallery.jpg
 
Last edited:
KyDan said:
My little 2010 Hyundai Accent still had functioning TPS when I sold it last December. So they lasted
14 years. Also still good on my 2017 Nissan Titan. Wondering if my 2021 Chevy Bolt will last as long?
I'm thinking probably not... Also curious if you'd share what it cost$ to Replace a Chevy TPS?
Click to expand...
TpMS battery life is affected by time AND mileage. The more miles you drive the more battery you use from the sensor as it transmits more instead of being in sleep mode from a stationary vehicle. It is kinda odd to have the OE sensors go dead in just 5 years unless you are putting a lot of miles on the vehicle.

I have friend with a newer Chevrolet work truck who I have replaced all 4 sensors and two sets of tires. He has put 200k on this truck as he drives it an awful lot.
Screenshot_20250322_072702_Chrome.jpg
 
Last edited:
wmtire said:
Nothing humorous here, but is kinda strange. I have replaced 4 different TPMS sensors this morning in 4 different vehicles......all of which are 2019 or 2020 GM products (Two Chevrolet Silverados, One GMC Denali, and one GMC Yukon). It's all the same type sensor too. Wondering if a defect is showing up.View attachment 980782
Click to expand...
Crappy internal batteries. The old GM ones for over 10 years.
 
wmtire said:
I use a universal programmable sensor for $55 installed in GM stuff. They are one of the more easier to replace and program. Usually can clone their sensor ID.

See that 9033 number on the sensor. I can program that 8 digit alphanumeric individual sensor ID into a new sensor so the vehicle still thinks it's the original sensor already programmed to the vehicle (aka cloning)

View attachment 980960
Click to expand...
Those "universal sensors" are great for dealers like you who cannot stock the needed dozens of different sensors. Wish there was a standard. GM seems to change part numbers every 2-3 years on the SUV/truck lines.

On the other hand, I can buy a set of four Chinese clones of the exact GM part for for $27 and no programming is needed--install them and do the location setup. Local dealers have charged me at different times $5 per wheel, $10 per wheel, and done it for free. I did have to educate one shop. The staff and manager were all so young they had never seen a clone of an OEM sensor that was installed without programming.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

paverdave
Can't shop at Costco...
wmtire
wmtire
BE
2007 Georgetown Motorhome 350DSSE - holding tanks
Larry-NC
Larry-NC

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom