"Lady I dont feel like changing your tire"

[disbridemimi]

me- but your the tow truck guy, and its flat?
him- I got a lot of calls LADY, and i need to get to them too.
me-but your the AAA guy! Now what do I do
him-Ill put a plug in your tire, it should last a few months, and well if its flat tomorrow, call us back
me-??????
him-I live right over there (pointing) so I will be able to see if it gets flat again.



Now this tow truck guy lives a block away, Im too afraid to complain about him. He knows where I live and what i drive, and well HE IS SCARY. (if you saw him you'd understand, doesnt look stable) So far the plug in my tire has worked, but I am thinking its only a matter of time before it goes flat again. Im going to buy a new tire.

ANyone had a plug in their tire?
Did it work?
Im outraged, annoyed, and feel defeated.

 

[DrCavin]

Had a few tires plugged before. Never had a problem.

 

[Rora]

I can't believe he wouldn't change your tire!! I can only imagine how scary he must be (I've seen my share of scary tow truck men.. ) but if I were you, I'd call and report him. I'd insist that they send someone (NOT HIM) over to fix your tire ASAP.

I had a tire plugged once, it was okay but it made me nervous.

 

[Mom2Nick]

Why is the tow truck guy supposed to fix your flat? Isn't a tow truck guy supposed to tow your car?

 

[Nickimouse]

Tow truck driver sounds like a loon.

Your tire should be fine. I've had tires patched with a plug over the years with no problem.

 

[npmommie]

I would rather have a plug if its works instead of a spare donut size tire. unless of course your spare is a regular size.
if the plug works no problem imo.
i dont' think i would complain about him

 

[Sandy V.]

If you're a member of AAA, called them for services, and this guy responded in this manner, I'd be on the horn to AAA to let them know about his behavior.

With enough complaints, they won't contract for his services any more. Remember, this guy just got PAID for NOT doing his job here. (At least to me - my personal expectation would have been that he change the tire so I could take it in and get it repaired OFF of the car - others may disagree). No way would I let this pass. This probably isn't the first time he's pulled this stunt. No matter how scary you think he is, you HAVE to make the call to AAA to let them know. You're probably not the only one who has complained. Good Luck!!

 

[Stacerita]

I would rather have a plug if its works instead of a spare donut size tire. unless of course your spare is a regular size.
if the plug works no problem imo.
i dont' think i would complain about him

I too would rather have a plugged tire than a donut spare. But I also would report him. You called for service, and he didn't provide it.

 

[Kimberly]

Unless you're going to be racing your car, the plugs should be just fine.

 

[disbridemimi]

He was the AAA guy, and i have a full sized spare. I could just change it myself, I am not totally helpless but I was dressed for work. I just called DF he is pretty upset.

 

[Carly_Roach]

If you're a member of AAA, called them for services, and this guy responded in this manner, I'd be on the horn to AAA to let them know about his behavior.

With enough complaints, they won't contract for his services any more. Remember, this guy just got PAID for NOT doing his job here. No way would I let this pass. This probably isn't the first time he's pulled this stunt. No matter how scary you think he is, you HAVE to make the call to AAA to let them know. You're probably not the only one who has complained. Good Luck!!

On the other hand, he lives on her block and knows where she lives. She may be right in complaining about the bad service she recieved, but being right is small comfort if/when he starts retaliating by making her life in the neighborhood miserable. He may not have any right to do that, but this is reality we're talking about.

Advising strangers to "fight for what's right" is easy; the unknown advisor doesn't have to physically live with the consequences of using their advice.

Having said that, I'll give my own brand of advice that the OP can either ignore or take: Get a new tire, let it go, and if you need towing services again request another company instead of that one. He may have gotten paid for the job, but it wasn't money you were paying him. Lesson learned.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I change my own tires when flat. I don't need no stinking man.

Tow trucks are for towing when cars are dead.

 

[disbridemimi]

Might I add, that if he called me "lady" one more time, the problem would have no longer been the tire. Im only 31!!!!

 

[TinklednPants]

A plug is perfectly fine, safe and the usual remedy for a flat when practical.



ETA: And much, much cheaper than a tire.

 

[Carly_Roach]

A plug is perfectly fine, safe and the usual remedy for a flat when practical.

I agree. I've had tires with plugs before and they've been no problems. I think I had one that went flat again overnight so we just bought a new tire.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Part of the service one pays for with AAA is a tire changing service by the tow-truck guy or whomever AAA sends for service.

She certainly wasn't out of line in requesting a tire change.

I can change a tire too, but I don't because I also have AAA. The tow-truck driver is in the wrong.

What if you were to call AAA and complain and explain that they can't mention who it was due to the proximity of his location and his scariness? Tell them you felt intimidated, too.

I'm sure there are a lot of people who also didn't complain about this guy.

 

[JessicaR]

Might I add, that if he called me "lady" one more time, the problem would have no longer been the tire. Im only 31!!!!

Are you saying you arent a lady? Doesnt matter what age you are. I just cant stand ma'am.

Plugged tire is fine.

 

[Sandy V.]

On the other hand, he lives on her block and knows where she lives. She may be right in complaining about the bad service she recieved, but being right is small comfort if/when he starts retaliating by making her life in the neighborhood miserable. He may not have any right to do that, but this is reality we're talking about.

Advising strangers to "fight for what's right" is easy; the unknown advisor doesn't have to physically live with the consequences of using their advice.

Having said that, I'll give my own brand of advice that the OP can either ignore or take: Get a new tire, let it go, and if you need towing services again request another company instead of that one. He may have gotten paid for the job, but it wasn't money you were paying him. Lesson learned.

I get your point, but the chance of retaliation is pretty small. I just don't like bullies, and I do think living out your principles is important. But again, it's just a tire, so it may not be worth the fight.

 

[mjkacmom]

When I get flats, I go to my mechanic, and he either tells me I need a new tire, or it can be patched. Not all flats need to be changed. He most likely saved you some $. His job is to get your car up and running, which he did. If your battery died, he'd charge it, not replace it. I'm sure if the tire couldn't be patched, he would've changed it for you.

And most tow truck drivers I've encountered have been a bit gruff.

 

[MICKEY88]

a plug is the standard method of flat repair, they are durable and safe, however they will void the warranty on ultra performance tires, since they are no longer safe at extreme high speeds.., normal legal speeds should be fine..