A few weeks ago I had a flat tire, which my husband attempted to fix with a can of "fix-a-flat" spray. A few miles down the road and a second can of "fix-a-flat" later, we realized we'd have to put the spare tire on. Actually I realized my husband had to put the spare tire on (it was snowing outside). I've since driven hundreds of miles on the spare tire and my husband kept reminding me to buy a new tire. I've managed to put it off for lack of time, but yesterday I drove by a tire shop and decided at the spur of the moment to stop and see if they had time to fit me in.

I explained that I needed to buy a new tire to replace the broken one, which is located in the spare compartment. After a 15 minute wait the shop attendant called me to the counter. This was the moment I dreaded, because I knew they would now try to sell me their most expensive tire, using arguments I couldn't counter, because what do I know about tires? 

Instead...she handed me my keys and told me my car was ready. She said they also checked my brakes, tire pressure and tread wear, and that it all looks great. I was sure she made a mistake and mixed me up with another customer, because mine was the car which needed a new tire. The lady assured me it was no mistake, they simply patched my tire and put the spare back where it belonged.

Stunned, I just stood there, and the lady finally turned and walked away. "Wait", I said. "I still need to pay you." The attended simply turned around, smiled, and said "No charge". Incredulously I stammered "What do you mean, no charge?" The attendant replied "We just hope you'll come see us when you do need to buy new tires".

Wow!

It took me a while to process what just happened. They could have sold me a tire, but saved me money instead. They went above and beyond my expectations by checking all my tires, they took care of me in minutes (I was offered popcorn while I waited) and to top it off they worked for free.

Am I going back there when I need new tires? You better believe it.

Did I tell other people about the great service I received? Indeed.

Did I learn lessons on customer service from Les Schwab Tire Service? Definitely.

Exceptional service delivers the "WOW FACTOR", and the "WOW" experience will keep clients coming back and giving referrals.

 

Sandy Nelson
Realtor for Olympia area real estate
www.sandynelsonrealestate.com

 

 

 

 
Post is included in group: Puget Sound - WA Real Estate

25 Comments on What do Tires have to do with Real estate?

FEB
07
2008
302,937 Points Outside Blog

Sandy- I have had similar experience with Discount Tire Co. of Texas here in San Antonio. The compnay is based in Dallas, TX and seems all of their employees are trained on service to their customers. My husband has been buying tires from them since about 1980.

7:34pm • #1
3 Featured Posts
Wow Sandy. That is unusual. It is refreshing to hear such a story considering the way people are these days. I would go there as well. Good luck-Ray
7:34pm • #2
3 Featured Posts
Great story and I hope we all learn from your experience.  Planting seeds that will grow into a great business relationship
7:49pm • #4
It appears that they've learned that doing right by people will pay off in the long run. Alas, Sandy, there is no Les Schwab in Georgia (I checked).  Thanks for sharing the story, Sandy.
8:53pm • #5
FEB
08
2008
553,341 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I was waiting for the punch line. That is a great story that there is still good customer service out there! I am sure you will be refering them :-)

your friend in Charlottesville

6:07am • #6
1 Featured Post

Shirley, I'm glad you have a company with similar service standards where you live.

Ray, I hope when other companies hear success stories like this, they'll adapt the same service model.

Kay, This kind of service should be franchised nation wide.

Dick, You're right, we need to think about the kind of seeds we wish to plant, so people will become loyal and happy clients.

Jackie, I firmly believe that doing right will pay off.

Charles, I've shared this story with a lot of people and to my surprise many acknowledged that they have had similar experiences with this tire company and that they're loyal customers.

Sandy

10:41am • #7
Great Info!
Danita Allen
7:04pm • #8
Isn't it great to find a company that understands what customer service is all about.
7:31pm • #9
FEB
10
2008
1 Featured Post

Danita, Thanks for reading my post.

Hank, I only wish more companies would have the same high customer service standards.

Sandy

10:54am • #10
Great generosity from a company.  That little random act of kindness will give them so much more business later. 
11:00am • #11
133,629 Points Localism Sponsor
great story and most importantly shows the need for great customer service.  We can't always do something and expect to receive compensation for it.
11:02am • #12
FEB
11
2008
1 Featured Post

Latonia and Bill,

I guess the old adage that "to give is to receive" is true.

Sandy

10:55am • #13
FEB
12
2008
189,071 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Sandy...You just never know where we're going to learn a life lesson, and this one sure translates very well to real estate. 

We appreciate a little something "free" once in a while.  It is a reminder that we benefit when we give a little something "free" also.

Thanks for the reminder.

Kathleen

5:58pm • #14
FEB
13
2008
1 Featured Post

Kathleen, Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

Sandy

9:32am • #15
599,185 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great service definitely will make you want to come back. Applies across all industries Sandy. Glad your experience worked out well for you.
1:02pm • #16
FEB
15
2008
1 Featured Post

Gary, I suppose if every business offered the kind of service Les Schwab offers, the Les Schwab experience wouldn't have the same impact it does. I guess the key to great service is to exceed the norm.

Sandy

11:07am • #17
FEB
26
2008
878,081 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I've been going to Les Schwab for 20 years now and I won't go anywhere else because of their service, it is actually just amazing! A few years ago I went in for a new tire and a new battery, I got in drove off and about quarter mile away my car had died, dead battery? What they just replaced it and it started, how could a quarter mile away this thing die? I walked back and told them what had happened and one of the guys walked back with me and it turns out they forgot to put the new battery in, but when testing to see if it could hold a charge it put just enough charge in the battery to start the car.

So we walked back again and he and three other people took the car and pushed it back the quarter mile, put the new battery in and reversed the charges for the cost of the battery for me having to walk to my car twice because of their mistake. You are right about them, they do have amazing customer service!

12:37am • #18
1 Featured Post

Todd,

That's a great customer service story. They certainly have won me over as a loyal customer.

Sandy

9:35am • #19
It is easy to see how helping people that are not going to bring us any money at the moment is important too.  There is a ripple effect.
11:16am • #20
FEB
27
2008
1 Featured Post

Carol, I believe if you give, you'll receive.

Sandy

10:41am • #21
AUG
14
2008

I have had the exact same experience in my area. Les Schwab has looked at my car for free more thime than for money. They are great. Always buy tires from them now. You are not alone. Don't they call that "pay it forward" -?

2:59pm • #22
1 Featured Post

Jeff,

I'm a true believer in "pay it forward". What goes around comes around, and Les Schwab has me as a customer for life.

Sandy

11:01pm • #23
AUG
19
2008
188,681 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Love the story Sandy and it's a great tie in to our profession. Those who are able to see the bigger picture will succeed. Those who are only in it for a "fast buck", well....I guess I don't need to finish the sentence LOL!

7:48pm • #24
AUG
20
2008
1 Featured Post

Colleen,

I believe in "what goes around comes around" A tire is a fitting visual for that.

Sandy

11:51am • #25

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Sandy Nelson Realtor® Olympia Real Estate

Olympia, WA

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Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc.

Address: 1910 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia, WA, 98512

Office Phone: (360) 789-7505

Cell Phone: (360) 789-7505

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