Extremely disappointing. I had a flat tire. I bought two new tires *because I had one flat tire*, not because I like going around buying tires and not being able to drive my car. When I walked up to the counter, holding my infant daughter in my hands, I made it clear that I was driving halfway across the country (700 miles RT). The man at the counter aggressively lectured me about my tire purchase; questioned my sanity and implied that I was mentally incapacitated multiple times. I wanted to believe that he was condescending and dismissive with everyone - maybe an abrasive guy. But he also made a point to be extra affectionate and very dedicated to completing conversations with his regular customers, in my presence. Like, they would try to finish off the conversation and walk out because people (and/or I) was waiting, and he'd revive the conversation with a new topic and follow-up questions. He responded to various questions I asked nonverbally, with facial expressions and hand gestures. I wondered if he had just decided that he did not want to do business with someone like me. Unfortunately, I did not listen to my better judgement, as I was already there and it was a holiday weekend, so I was desperate to get this resolved asap. Additionally, call me sentimental and/or loyal, but I respect business owners who choose to operate, and thrive in the city, despite the surroundings, so I wanted to support them vs going out to Mavis/ Wappingers, as was suggested to me by others who live in the city. I also consulted with my mechanic (via phone, long distance), who also happens to own the vehicle in question with me (my husband). I was getting attitude from the guy at the counter, while he simultaneously refused to look at, or in any way evaluate the tire and how to fix it, without first being paid.
So, my decision to purchase (vs fix) was made, in part to avoid the additional fee being added to my bill for evaluating the tire, when I was fairly confident that I would need a new tire anyway. I came back to the store to order tires after speaking to my husband, but I spoke to the guy in the garage (he was at the counter then) about rotating the tires. As my best tires were in the front of the car, I wanted the new tires to go in the front, and the good old tires that were in the front, put in the back. In the back of the car, was the flat tire and the tire with the least amount of tread. I came back the following morning, after getting someone to watch my children. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that I would have to explain all of that over again. I ended up leaving the shop with new tires in the front and both the flat and the low tread tire in the back. They decided to keep both of my better tires, which was surprising considering safety was brought up in the lecture I was given but they didn't do anything to improve the safety of me and my small children, in an emergency situation. I was rushing down the street when I noticed the tire was still flat and called them. The man at the counter answered and said, since they were about to close (Saturday), that they would keep one of my tires for me and put it on the car when they open, the following Tuesday. So, me and my small children, our 700 mile trip, resulted in us not going anywhere or doing anything for several days, while our good old tires are trapped in the shop and I'm out of hundreds of dollars. On Tuesday (final fourth trip), when I got the car back, I was aware that they took the better old tire off and kept it, while leaving me with a less desirable back tire, I had to hurry up and get back on the road, and I didn't want to have any more arguments. Honestly, at that point, I was scared they would do something to jeopardize our safety, as it was obviously not a priority.
Summary: Not recommended, especially if you're a black woman. Four trips to the shop to change one flat tire, over a period of several days. I pray that no one else experiences this. So dangerous!!! So frustrating! And maybe it is not all new customers or black women who get this treatment, but I can only speak for my own experience and my four trips to the shop. I may not be very experienced in changing tires, but I suggest going to a shop who won't make you suffer for that so much if you're in a similar position. Good luck. read more
