Honolulu, HI
Got a flat tire on Saturday night. In speaking to the associate at Lex Brody I was informed that Lex Brody does not stock 225/40 R19 run flat tires. They carry the same size but not in a run flat. Lex Informed me that if I bought the tire Lex carried I would need to buy all four tires because Lex Brody has a policy that would prevent them from only installing one non run flat tire on a car with three unlike tires. Because I'm smarter than the average monkey wrench I realized I was talking to a grease monkey who really doesn't know his tires. Run flat tires are required on cars that don't supply a spare. If you have a flat tire, the run flat allows you to drive to a place of refuge to have your tire replaced. I honestly believe it is a liability for a shop to install a non-run flat on a car that requires them. Either this grease monkey was just trying to hose me for $1500 in tires or he's hoping he's the tow truck driver the next time my wife gets a flat. Either way I'm not pleased. To make matters worse the guy never offers to order me the appropriate replacement, just simply says we done have it, I can sell you 4 tires or nothing. I order the tire off tire rack, had them shipped. Tire shipped to Hawaii in 3 days flat! I apparently hadn't learned my lesson because when the tire showed up I decided to call Lex Brody to see if Lex would be kind enough to install my tire. . After 10 minutes of capturing my personal information Lex asked for the tire dimensions, 225/40 R19 run flat. Yes the one you don't stock and we're not willing to order for me. It's a run flat? Lex questioned. Yes I replied... Ok, do you want that balanced as well? I'm trying to contain myself...while thinking "no I want to wear out the tread, ruin my wheel bearings, blow it out again in 500 miles!" Reply yes I would like it balanced as well, in the calmest voice I can manage. Ok Lex replies that gonna be $117 with the taxes. When would you like to come in?I ask Lex to explain how on earth could it be so much to put on a tire? Lex replies, well the run flat tires cost a bit more to install at $60 and another $35 to balance it and then the taxes bring it up to $117. Knowing that I've just been screwed by the grease monkey rule book for haoles, I decided to take my business elsewhere. Goodyear on Waialae Ave replaced my tire for me for $40, 20 minutes in and out. No BS no upswell, just good people offering a needed service. Thank you Lex Brody for forcing me to patronize a quality business down the street from you.