Wise and Clunky Things
A cold chill pervaded the lunchroom, which I thought strange since we don’t have air conditioning. Tooner gnawed furiously on a chunk of beef jerky while Basil stared at a magazine, completely ignoring his triple chocolate donut.“Alright, what’s eating you two?” Tooner just growled. Basil put down his Tire Review and glared at me. “Slim,
A Stranger’s Fiction
"Who’s that idiot in the parking lot?" I groused, pointing to an odd-looking guy standing beside a red Mazda, looking intently at our shop. "He’s blocking the driveway!" Quigley did a double take and grabbed his clipboard. "He wasn’t there a minute ago. I’ll go see what he wants." I poured my sixth cup of
Employee or Independent Contractor: Which Is It?
If you hire someone for a long-term, full-time project or a series of projects that are likely to last for an extended period, you must pay special attention to the difference between independent contractors and employees. The IRS and state regulators scrutinize the distinction between employees and independent contractors because many business owners try to
Emotional Engagement is the Key to Customer Loyalty
In the November 2011 issue of Tire Review, I wrote about how Amazon.com has become a world-class customer service organization by properly balancing the functional and emotional elements of the customer experience (to review, click here). In this issue, we’ll explore emotional engagement further and review what you need to do in order to create
Back to Basics 2: Step-by-Step Tire Demounting/Mounting
The second installment in our Back2Basics series looks at an essential part of the tire sales and service process: demounting an old tire and mounting a new one on the customer’s vehicle.
RV Tire Market Roadmap Shows Slight Growth
While RV sales – and corresponding tire sales – may be relatively flat, there still is room for growth for tire dealers who are in the know. The economic recession and slow recovery have changed the market, but dealers who put in the time to keep up with those shifts could reap rewards.
Dedicated Summer, Winter Tires Offer Year-Round Service
Looking at basic performance factors, all-season tires can handle just about any possible road condition that comes up – and do so in a med
TPMS Service Requires Customer Education
TIA has done a sensational job in helping to educate the tire industry by providing training and educational materials regarding proper TPMS service, but the majority of consumers still lack the knowledge of TPMS and the safety benefits it provides.
Selling Truck Tires to Small Fleets and Owner/Operators
Medium and large truck fleets have the tire dealer’s ear on an ongoing basis. But smaller fleets and own
Product Spotlight: TPMS Tools
Tire pressure monitoring systems play a vital role in maintaining proper vehicle tire pressure. Drivers of an estimated 50 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada rely on these devices to track inflation pressure, ultimately leading to less flats, better gas mileage and longer tire life. Because the mandatory systems are so prevalent, it’s important
Changing Dynamics of Hybrids and Plug-ins, Plus Service How-Tos
When the term “hybrid vehicle” is used, it most often refers to a hybrid electric vehicle. As you will see, when discussing hybrids, it’s important to remember that hybrid technology is a work in progress and that there’s no such thing as a “generic” hybrid design.
Tire Aging Issue Needs Attention, Not Excuses – Now
Would you knowingly install four "new" tires that are actually six to 10 years old – or older – on your son or daughter’s car? I already know your answer. Neither would I. And while most of you would never consider putting old tires on your children’s vehicles, I find it a bit disconcerting that