Puncture

[markjay]

Had a puncture today. Changed wheel, used the space-saver. Went home checked when local 'national chain type tyre place' closes on Saturday - 17:00. Arrived 15:55. One person cleaning-up. We can't do it today Sir. But you shut at five? No we shut at half four today Sir, and it takes more than half an hour to fix a puncture. Drove another 100 yards to 'small local and rather messy type tyre shop'. No problem Sir. Puncture fixed, wheels swapped back. £10, plus £5 for balancing ('no need to balance rear tyres mate, save the five quid'. Oh yes there is says I... I am happy to pay). Drive back past the 'national chain type tyre place' with repaired tyre fitted. Check clock on car display, 4:25

[ironsheik]

As an owner of a "small local business" I can relate to this.. Many a time, customers have walked in and told me similar stories about "large chains" and their work ethics.

[horgantrevor]

i always use the smaller guys as they give better serv

[MOCAŠ]

Originally Posted by markjay

Drove another 100 yards to 'small local and rather messy type tyre shop'.

markjay, I find myself in need of a slow-puncture repair service. Whereabouts is the place you used? (Wild guess would be on the A5...)

[ucr]

Was this Sxxt fit

[LTD]

Originally Posted by horgantrevor

i always use the smaller guys as they give better serv

Usually ....

[markjay]

Beware though... they did not balance the wheel until I asked them to, they did not check that the air pressure was the same as the other tyre on the same axle, and there was no torque wrench in sight... but I am happy with their service because I got all these sorted myself later.

[MOCAŠ]

Originally Posted by markjay

Beware though... they did not balance the wheel until I asked them to, they did not check that the air pressure was the same as the other tyre on the same axle, and there was no torque wrench in sight... but I am happy with their service because I got all these sorted myself later.

Hmm, worrying that they didn't use a torque wrench - I'd have thought that would be standard practice for any tyre fitters, and it's not something I'd want to do myself. Thanks for sharing, though.

[E CLASS]

Originally Posted by markjay

Had a puncture today. Changed wheel, used the space-saver. Went home checked when local 'national chain type tyre place' closes on Saturday - 17:00. Arrived 15:55. One person cleaning-up. We can't do it today Sir. But you shut at five? No we shut at half four today Sir, and it takes more than half an hour to fix a puncture. Drove another 100 yards to 'small local and rather messy type tyre shop'. No problem Sir. Puncture fixed, wheels swapped back. £10, plus £5 for balancing ('no need to balance rear tyres mate, save the five quid'. Oh yes there is says I... I am happy to pay). Drive back past the 'national chain type tyre place' with repaired tyre fitted. Check clock on car display, 4:25

Please PM me who this was - thanks.

[markjay]

Originally Posted by E CLASS

Please PM me who this was - thanks.

See post #7 above....

[Pontoneer]

It would be interesting to drop an email outlining this story to the head office of the national chain and ask for their comments .

As with you , even if I see torque wrenches being used , I always re-torque with my own once I get home , as well as checking pressures .

It also pays to check before leaving the premises that you are getting the tyres you paid for - I once asked , and paid for V rated tyres , but noticed before driving off that I had been given H rated tyres . They were swapped with apology when I complained , but I did wonder if it was a try on .

[124fan]

and my experience was the opposite ... had a puncture, went to the small local guy, it was too close to lunch time so the guy was abit grumpy, he slammed the machine into my rim actually chipping it, a big flake came away! he lifted a hammer on weight and I said 'no' but he banged it on anyway ... I went for the boss and he came over to the guying doing the work who just walked off for his lunch and the boss finished the job!!
the boss didn't charge me for any of it .... and I still won't be back! I've since been to the larger outfit who were pleasant and didn't charge over the top!

I guess its a matter of 'paying your money and taking your chances'

Cheers

[markjay]

I am well aware that the smaller tyre shops do not balance rear tyres, do not compare pressures, and do not use a torque wrench (well, most of the small ones anyway - but let's not generalise).

However I am not too bothered - as said I simply insist on balancing and am happy to pay for it, and the pressures and torque setting are not an issue for me as I correct them myself.

Would have been nice though if the industry standardised around the good practice code...

With regards the 'national chain type tyre place' - well I don't really want to name-and-shame anyone, but as I said they are only a 100 yards (or so) away, so work it out if you will...

[JohnEBoy]

I had something similar once from a tyre place who sound like they don't sell much else (except they do or did sell batteries I think).

Arranged for 2 new tyres to be fitted.

Me "If I leave at 16:00, I can get there for just after 16:30, will that be OK?"

Them "Yeah that's fine - we're open until 17:00"

16:40.

Me "I arranged to get the tyres fitted - said I would be leaving at 16:00 to get here"

Them "We close at 5 mate, wont have time to do them now"



One customer successfully lost for life.

[Alps]

I found that with National tyres too, phoned to have winter tyre swapped over, they gave me a price, agreed a day and time so i went round, kept me waiting an hour, then they said, aww he must have given you the wrong price and then said there would be a long wait knowing well i wasnt going to wait any longer, went to the smaller tyre place round the corner who done it for half the price in half the time.

wont be using national tyres again!