It’s so rare to have quality experience with a business these days, it’s worth a shout out when it actually happens. I had such an experience this week when I bought tires from University Tire in Charlottesville.
For the past few months I have been agonizing about whether or not to relegate my 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee to the junkyard, or play Russian roulette and buy another used car. My Jeep leaks transmission fluid, gets about the same great mileage as a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. stock car and is beginning to show signs of rust.
It is a great vehicle when it snows, however, and it does has a trailer hitch, in the event I need to tow something.
My immediate problem was tires. I needed four to pass inspection. Jeep Grand Cherokees use truck tires and those babies are expensive. An investment in four new tires would likely exceed the total value of my Jeep if I tried to sell it.
So I did what I do best. I procrastinated.
I went on Craig’s List looking for either used tires or a used car that sounded promising, but could find neither. I went on line and found a few good deals on tires, but there was still shipping and handling involved, plus the installation cost I would have to bear if I bought from an out of town company.
I went to Sam’s, where I have been buying tires, and they had some good deals, but their top-of-the-line tires were more than I wanted to pay.
My ace in the hole was a brand new spare in my back compartment. If I could find three new, matching tires at a decent price, that may be my best chance.
I had never done business with University Tire, but I called, just to check out my options. The local manager, Brandon Shifflett, sympathized with my dilemma and said, “Let me see what I can do.”
He then found what I felt was a great price for three new tires and he said he would install them, plus my spare, balance all four tires and have me out the door in an hour and a half for a total – tax included – of $342.
Done!
I could not be happier with my experience at University Tire (www.unversitytireandauto.com).
Next time you need some fresh rubber on your car or truck, give them a call.