Les Schwab died

[Johnny_L.A]

Les Schwab, who founded a chain of tire stores in the Pacific Northwest, died on 18 May at the age of 89.

In 1963, in order to boost sales during the slow season, he introduced his Free Beef campaign that continues still. My friend parodied the campaign in his film Night For Nixie, having Old Tyme Pest Exterminators offer ‘free meat’ with their services. (Wife, OS, to her husband, sitting in longjohns and drinking a beer while watching the commercial: ‘What kind of meat is it?’ Husband: ‘It’s free!’) When I mentioned to my roommate that Schwab had died he said, ‘I guess that means no more free meat.’ I said, ‘Well, maybe a little.’

As a newcomer to the PNW, I didn’t grow up with Les Schwab and his commercials. But I’ve gone there when I’ve needed tires. The local store has good service. Apparently one of my cousins runs a Les Schwab store in the Seattle area.

[Enter_the_Flagon]

@Johnny L.A.

[url=“http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=117954191482869200”]When I mentioned to my roommate that Schwab had died he said, ‘I guess that means no more free meat.’ I said, ‘Well, maybe a little.’

OK, since today is Sunday, the, y’know, sabbath and everything, I just wanna say that this is in really bad taste. Fuckin’ hilarious, but in a really bad taste kinda way.

Is this Schwab guy any relation to Charles, by chance? I’d drive to the PNW for some free TRW with my FEA.

[Lightnin]

I live in Bend, and his death’s been a fairly big deal here (he was born here). From everything I’ve read of him, he was a genuinely nice guy.

[Fiveyearlurker]

My wife’s an Oregonian, so she laughed at me a year ago when we pulled into one of the stores to pick up tire chains, and I had no idea why an auto supply store would have a French name like that.

Good store, good prices, good service.

[thelurkinghorror]

Me too, the first time I saw their billboard up near Sacramento, I read “Les Schwab Tires” as something like “The Schwab Shootings”

[Seven]

Les Schwab Tires is one of the few remaining honest car related stores.

[WarmNPrickly]

I have received said “free beef” and it was good. Weirdest promotion ever.

[picunurse]

@Johnny L.A.

Les Schwab, who founded a chain of tire stores in the Pacific Northwest, died on 18 May at the age of 89.

In 1963, in order to boost sales during the slow season, he introduced his Free Beef campaign that continues still. My friend parodied the campaign in his film Night For Nixie, having Old Tyme Pest Exterminators offer ‘free meat’ with their services. (Wife, OS, to her husband, sitting in longjohns and drinking a beer while watching the commercial: ‘What kind of meat is it?’ Husband: ‘It’s free!’) When I mentioned to my roommate that Schwab had died he said, ‘I guess that means no more free meat.’ I said, ‘Well, maybe a little.’

As a newcomer to the PNW, I didn’t grow up with Les Schwab and his commercials. But I’ve gone there when I’ve needed tires. The local store has good service. Apparently one of my cousins runs a Les Schwab store in the Seattle area.

Which one does your cousin run? We go the the one on Lake City Way.

[Johnny_L.A]

@picunurse

Which one does your cousin run? We go the the one on Lake City Way.

No idea. I should write to my relatives in Idaho and find out.

[Sofaspud]

It’s big news in Spokane, too.

Les Schwab Tires is the best tire store I’ve ever gone to. And they’re the only one I know of that not only offers in-house credit with reasonable interest rates, but also WORKS with you if you run into problems.

If they ever change their business model, I’m going to cry.