Big O Tires, Walnut Creek…read more
5/5 Stars
A BREAKDOWN, A $900 ESTIMATE, AND A TEAM THAT RESTORED MORE THAN OUR CAR!
You know what's worse than an unexpected car breakdown?
AN UNEXPECTED CAR BREAKDOWN ON A SUNDAY!
SIGH...
Well, we now know exactly what it looks, sounds, and feels like when a starter decides to retire without giving two weeks' notice!
And let me tell you, you'd be surprised how one little part can affect so many other things. We even had a charger that hadn't worked since we purchased the car, and wouldn't you know it, after the starter was replaced, that charger started working too!
But let me tell you how we got there.
Our car completely shut off, and despite multiple attempts, we couldn't get it jumped.
Thankfully, some wonderful human beings stopped to help two damsels in distress. After exhausting our options, and with some guidance from the amazing folks at our neighborhood O'Reilly Auto Parts (they'll be getting their own review!), we learned that Big O Tires in Walnut Creek was open on Sundays.
OPEN ON SUNDAYS!
Already a point in their favor!
We walked over and met Getty.
WHAT A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING!
We explained everything that had happened, including the symptoms we'd experienced and what the people who stopped to help had suggested.
Getty listened, was straightforward with us, and explained that it sounded like the starter might be the culprit.
Then came the estimate.
$900!
INSERT SHOCKED FACE RIGHT HERE!
Now, nobody wants to hear that number when their car has unexpectedly decided to stop participating in life. But what I appreciated was Getty's honesty. He didn't sugarcoat the potential cost or make promises he couldn't keep.
He told us that if we could get the car towed to the shop, his team could take care of it that same day.
So we did!
The car arrived around 11 a.m.
AND BY 2 P.M., WE WERE DRIVING AWAY!
But wait, there's more!
THE FINAL BILL WAS $100 LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE!
Not a hundred dollars MORE.
A HUNDRED DOLLARS LESS!
No price gouging. No unexpected charges. No attempts to sell us services we hadn't requested.
Just honest communication, efficient repairs, and excellent customer service.
AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT A WOMAN COMPLETED OUR REPAIR?!
YES, MA'AM!
I absolutely loved seeing a woman working in the shop and getting our car back on the road. She deserves recognition right alongside Getty and the rest of the team!
HERE'S WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO ME.
When your vehicle breaks down unexpectedly, especially on a Sunday, you're already stressed. You're trying to figure out what's wrong, how much it's going to cost, how you're going to get the vehicle to a shop, and whether someone can even fix it that day.
The last thing you need is to feel taken advantage of.
Getty and his team gave us the exact opposite experience.
They treated us with honesty, compassion, professionalism, and respect.
And THAT is how you earn customer loyalty.
I've used Big O Tires in the past, but after this experience, the Walnut Creek location has officially earned its place as my first stop whenever we need automotive repairs.
LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY GOT RIGHT!
Customer Service: 5/5
Honesty and Transparency: 5/5
Compassion: 5/5
Repair Turnaround: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Sunday Availability: PRICELESS!
OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 5/5
The combination of honest pricing, compassionate service, quick repairs, and Sunday availability is a recipe for creating a lifelong customer.
So, if those are qualities you value when choosing where to take your vehicle, look no further than Big O Tires in Walnut Creek.
AND TELL THEM WE SENT YA!
Here's hoping you won't need automotive repairs anytime soon. But if you do, stop in and speak with Getty.
HE'LL GET YA STRAIGHT!
To Getty, the woman who completed our repair, and the entire team:
THANK YOU FOR TURNING A STRESSFUL SUNDAY INTO A REMINDER THAT GOOD, HONEST PEOPLE STILL EXIST AND TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK!
You didn't just get our car running again.
You earned our trust.
And that is worth far more than a five-star review!