Day Almost Called

On account of stupidity.  My own, that is.  Yesterday after purchasing the winning ticket for tonight’s power ball I noticed that my one tire looked a little low.  I wasn’t sure if it was truly low or an illusion from being parked half on a ramp.

This morning I was ready for work early so I decided to be responsible and stop for air along the way.  Off I went to the same mini market where I’ve been adding air to my tires for the entire dozen plus years since it was constructed.  Out I hopped.  I took off the little cap, got the hose, pushed the button and then stood there. 

I haven’t added air to any of the tires since purchasing them in the spring.  I had no clue what the tire pressure on these particular tires should be.  I checked the gauge.  The pressure was 28.  I thought okay, I’ll be safe and add a few pounds.  Only when I let go of the trigger to check what it was up to the pressure had dropped.  I felt completely foolish as I’ve added air many times over the course of my driving life.  I tried again.  Down it went some more.

I quit before the tire was low enough to be unsafe.  I ran into a coworker on my way into the office and informed her I had to go home as I was too stupid to be in public today.  I explained why and I commend her on her effort not to snicker.

Not ten minutes later another coworker called to tell me she had the same experience on her way in this morning.  Ha!  It wasn’t me, nor was it her.  The damn gizmo was malfunctioning again and the mini market hadn’t put up the out of order sign yet.

So I debated about stopping at the other free air source on my way home.  The problem however was I still didn’t know the optimum psi for my tires.  I called the place I bought them and the very nice gentleman explained that there was likely a sticker on my door jam that contained that information but if I wanted to stop by he’d be happy to take care of it for me.

No, the sticker was not there so I went to see Corey the tire guru.  He located the sticker.  On the inside of the fuel door.  The tire info is in fine print beneath the fuel specifications.  Good to know for next time since he checked them all for me.  The only one that was low was the one I let air out of this morning.  If I’d left it alone, it would have been just fine.  Yes, it was at the recommended pressure before I got involved.

Howie is Happy!

I had an extra long weekend and spent part of today questing new shoes for Howie.  Mission accomplished!  And very easily. 

Before setting out I did some research online.  I had three destinations chosen.  Two of the three listed tire price then charged for all add-ons such as installation.  They both had some rebates available that would have brought the price down, though not down to where I wanted it.

The third had no deals on the tires in my price range but their price included everything.  Mounting, balancing, new valve stems.  Everything.  I’d been there before when I needed a slow leak patched and had a good experience so I decided to start there first even though they were a bit more expensive after the rebates at the other places.

It’s a rainy Tuesday so there was no waiting when I walked in.  I told the salesman what I wanted.  Yes, I am capable of reading the sidewall of the old tire to find out what size Howie wears.  He was about to go into his whole speech but I cut him off, asking only for the options below a certain price, a price lower than either of the other two rebated prices.  I also only needed to say no thank you once to all the other services they offer before he understood that I was truly not interested and no amount of coercion would get me to spend more today.  I always appreciate that.

Guess what!  They have leeway in their prices that are adjusted on the spot.  All the customer has to do is ask.  Hey, can’t fault them for that.  If you don’t at least ask you deserve to pay the higher price, right?  So in less than an hour and no extra driving around, Howie has brand new, bright and shiny shoes.  He is happy.  We are safer on the road since his old ones were looking really, really shabby.  And it was accomplished at less than I expected to pay.  In fact, I have enough left that I can now go have a nice lunch.  What more can you ask for?