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A 1 76 Auto Repair
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7010 N Cedar Ave
Fresno, California |
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(559) 299-1326 |
Reviews
By: HAllison |
Expensive $21 Tire Plug Repair | Nov 11, 09 |
| I had a slow leak in my SUV tire so I drove to this nearby Unocal repair shop. I had worked at a Chevron service station during my high school years in the 80’s so I was familiar with tire repairs and this was an easy fix. The mechanic found a small nail & plugged the leak rather than patching it. He made two attempts before he felt it was a proper fit. The mechanic put his soap spray bottle away, inflated the tire to the proper pressure, and then said he was done. He began putting his tools away, but I wanted reassurance that the plug worked so I asked him if he wouldn’t mind spraying the repaired area again to test & make sure all was well. The mechanic replied, “OK,” but he was irritated with my request. I overheard him mumble something to another mechanic about having to re-spray the hole when he walked back into the bay to retrieve his spray bottle. I assumed it was still common sense to test your work. I was relieved when no soap bubbles appeared. Next, I was shocked when I received the bill for $21. This was slightly less than the cost to change my oil. I learned my lesson. I’ll ask for a price quote BEFORE I approve any repair work regardless of how easy or what the average price is in the area. () Later today, I told my tire story to a neighbor. He informed me that his tire repair at this same Unocal cost him $42 last July. His front two tires had one nail each that were also plugged ($21 each). () In the 80’s the Chevron where I worked charged an average of $6 labor plus $1.50 per plug for each tire. Patching a tire cost more and required additional time, but it was the driver’s option. I understand adding inflation, etc. to the costs of the 80’s, but when you compare the same $21 you would spend today on other auto maintenance, a $21 tire plug is expensive. () I called the Goodguy Tire shop a mile away and was quoted $21.95 to patch my tire. They no longer used plugs to repair tires. () Note: The NHTSA has stated that a plug is not a proper permanent tire repair. | ||
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