the hell of the never-ending winter tire install
We ALL remember my adventures in trying to get winter tires installed on the Sweenmobile, right? (Including the pictorial evidence of said event?)
(No. Don’t re-read it. I’ve caused you enough pain.)
Well, pursuant to the tires not getting purchased and installed on that fine occasion, I called Canadian Tire a week ago to make a new appointment to purchase and install winter tires. A lovely phone call ensued where I would say, “I would like to make an appointment,” followed by the sales rep yelling at me, “Well? Do you wanna make an appointment?” Good times. Finally, after many pleasing shenanigans, I arranged a time to bring the car in — last night, 5:30 pm — indicated the tires that were to be purchased and installed — Goodyear Nordic, P195-55R15 — and reconfirmed the details — TWICE — to make sure everything was set up precisely.
Mwua-ha.
Last night. 5:30 pm. Exactly. I step up to the service counter, keys in hand. I smile at the service rep and say, “I have an appointment to have my tires installed.”
The service rep looks at his monitor. “Jason Sweeney?”
“That’s me!” I smile. Everything’s coming up roses!
“So… do you have the tires you want installed or are you planning on purchasing some tonight?”
I sense the great and terrible Foot of Karma suddenly hovering inches above the roses.
“Ummm… the appointment was to purchase the tires and then have them installed.”
“Right. Okay… what type of tires were they?”
The blessed and gnarled Toes on the Foot of Karma waggled ominously…
“Funny. I figured that information would be on the order… but okay.” I pull the details out of my wallet. “Goodyear Nordics. Size… P195-55R15.”
“Okay… lessee…” The service rep types away on his keyboard. A pause. “Oh shit.” He quickly glances at me and then back at his screen. Types some more. “We don’t seem to have… umm… lemmee check upstairs.” He hustles off briskly, narrowly avoiding flying shards of skull that shoot out from my exploding head.
TWENTY MINUTES PASS AS I STAND THERE AT THE SERVICE COUNTER PICKING PIECES OF MY BRAIN UP OFF THE FLOOR.
Finally… he returns.
“Ummm… I’ve got bad news for you. We don’t have four of those Nordic tires in stock.”
Clenching: “So. You are going to be able to get them at another store? RIGHT?”
“Umm… yeah…” A pause. “Just… not tonight. Can you come in on Wednesday?”
The puissant and well-pedicured Foot of Karma walks away, sticky with the residue of pulped roses.
November 21st, 2006 at 12:37 pm
With any luck, the thorns — now painfully embedded in the Foot of Karma — will stop that from happening ever again…to anyone else…like me, for example. But really, I’ve felt that pain and empathise with your frustrations at the ineptitude of those controlling the external influences upon your situation.
PS. Hope you recoverd most of your marbles.
November 21st, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Adding “And will you have at least four of those specific tires in stock when I show up?” to the ever-growing script I’m compiling for my own near-future tire replacement extravaganza.
Sorry, man. I recommend extensive cookie consumption therapy. Though not Oreos of course.
November 21st, 2006 at 4:48 pm
I blame you.
November 21st, 2006 at 10:36 pm
Canadian Tire sucks. Big Time. Run away. Find another place for tires (unless you are in the Clayton Park Canadian Tire which I believe an old friend of our works at/manages). Especially I say avoid the Quinpool CT at all costs. Horror…the horror…..