Tire Update

On Friday, I decided to venture out and go buy some new tires.  I had the recommendation of a chain that people were happy with, and there was a store not far from my apartment, so it seemed like a foolproof plan.  They sold the tires I wanted and I knew what they cost.  Easy peasy.

Then I drove past this alleged store.  First off, the tire shop didn’t seem to advertise that they were part of this chain at all, and it looked beyond sketchy.  I was not comfortable taking my car there.  Or sitting there and waiting.

So I came home and went on Yelp to look for reviews of local tire places.  I simply entered “tires” and “my town” and one store came up with a number of excellent reviews.  It seemed like a much better option.  So I got back in the car and headed out.  I heard the place was busy on weekends, but I hoped that since it was Friday, it wouldn’t be bad.  I got there at 8:55 (they opened at 9) and there was a line of about eight cars already!  To me, that was a very good sign.  Plus, among the cars in the line were some very nice cars that were obviously well taken care of.  Another good sign.

I waited almost 45 minutes to get to talk to someone, but I had a book, so that wasn’t a big deal.  I told the guy I wanted all new tires, and he told me that I had another 6 months on my back tires and that I could just replace the front ones.  He was trying to talk me out of buying tires!  Yet another good sign!  But I decided to buy all four new tires.  This way, they’re all the same age and I don’t have to worry about going back in 6 months.  Plus I’m ready for the winter.  Which seems a silly thing to say in July.

I waited to see what tires he recommended, and he suggested the tires that I wanted.  And the best part?  They were $30 less (each) than the chain store.  Awesome.  I didn’t get out of there until around 11:15, so it wasn’t a short trip, but I’m definitely happy.

I should have just checked out Yelp in the first place, since I wasn’t going to go to the exact branch of the chain that my co-workers had used.  I would have been much better off, but it all worked out in the end.  And I have shiny new tires.

Next up?  Oil change.