This is REALLY mundane, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This morning I noticed that the “low tire pressure” icon was lit up on my dashboard. I told my husband, he found upon his examination a huge nail in my tire. Of course, my tires aren’t even a year old yet. I called Sam’s Club Tire Center. I was told that they don’t do appointments for that service but to bring it in and they would get to it when they could. I asked how much it would cost. He said, “it’s free, we don’t charge for that service”.
What a nice surprise! IDK, maybe all tire places do the same.
Sam’s Club likely includes a road hazard warranty in the price when you purchase tires from them. Most places charge extra for such a service and many people do not purchase it. Most nails are easily fixed for under $20 unless the sidewall is damaged.
The Les Schwab Tires chain in the Pacific Northwest will fix nails, etc. for free. Even if you have never purchased from them. When I get a free repair, it does make me want to buy tires from them in the future.
Same with me around here. Local place to repairs them gratis, and in my appreciation I throw them my business when it comes to replacements. I seem to have terrible luck in that regard because in the past 4 or 5 years I must’ve had about 10 nail punctures, 3 of them requiring getting new tires, one of them involving a flatbed truck ride from the side of an interstate.
Drywall and roofing nails. Lots of sprawl growth around here. Lots of contractors. All too many asshole contractors who don’t secure their supplies properly in their vehicles.
Just this morning I had a flat fixed for free at Les Schwab. I was ready to shell out for a new tire 'cause that’s been my usual experience with them but I was glad I didn’t have to this time.
Our neighborhood small garage fixed flats for free. They even re-mounted a wheelbarrow tire for me when I couldn’t get the bloody thing back on the rim after fixing the tube. I was sorry to see them decamp.
Not anymore if you did not buy the tires from them. My SIL has worked at one for about 17 years. They still fix them for free for their customers.
From the LS website: A flat tire is bad — paying to have it fixed is even worse. Receive free and unlimited flat repairs for the life of tires purchased at Les Schwab.
I got a free fix about 6 weeks ago from them. It was on the original tire I got when I bought the car, so definitely not theirs. Now, I guess they could see I was a prior “customer” if that matters. But they fixed a tire I didn’t buy from them, without charge.
I had the same experience. Les Schwab fixed one of the original OEM tires on my car for free. At the time I assumed it was because I’d bought tires for other cars there, even if I hadn’t bought that specific tire from them.
