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September 18, 1995 02:00 AM

PLUG NOT TO BLAME

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    Print

    In reading your Aug. 21 issue, I couldn't help feeling gross dismay over the $12.7 million judgment against the Chicago dealership for plugging a tire. The plug did not fail and if air had seeped around the plug (as the plaintiff had contended) the tire would have gone flat.

    Of course, there always is an expert who will lie about anything for a price.

    People in business will have to resort to the same type charges used in the medical profession to protect themselves. Every customer now has a middle name- ``Sue.''

    There ought to be a law that if an expert witness testifies and is proven wrong, he or she is responsible for (paying) the entire damages.

    In this instance, the damage was caused by the use of the tire, not the repair.

    Bob Chadwick

    President

    Petroleum Supply Inc.

    Harrison, Arkansas

    Editor's note: Mr. Chadwick refers to the lawsuit against a Carol Stream, Ill., dealership that had repaired a punctured tire using a string plug. The plaintiff's attorneys contended that air seeping around the plug had oxidized and weakened the tire's steel belts, causing them to tear apart when the tire later struck an object on the road and ultimately went flat. The Ford Bronco on which the tire was mounted rolled over, ejecting and injuring at least one of its five passengers.

    Wants article on chains

    I enjoyed your July 24 article, `` 'Sno joke'' (concerning dealers who got caught with a surplus of snow tires following last year's unusually mild winter).

    Why not do a follow-up article on snow chains? They're a lot like snow tires. If you've got them when snow and ice are on the ground you can sell them-at a high profit!

    We've been in the chain business 18 years and have learned every year can't be a good year from the standpoint of chain sales.

    It's been a long time since I've seen a good article on chains.

    Wallace W. Wade

    Owner

    Wallace W. Wade Specialty Tires

    Dallas

    Woment in the business

    Editor's note: Good idea, Mr. Wade.

    I would like to see an article on female counter salespeople at the tire retailer level.

    I've been selling tires since last September. Some days, I feel extremely comfortable in that role. At times, I realize there's still tons to learn.

    I'm curious to know how other women in the business are doing, if their gender is an advantage and if they handle customers differently than their male counterparts etc.

    Maggie Smith

    Sales Associate

    Monteith Tire of Elkhart

    Elkhart, Ind.

    Editor's note: Perhaps other readers will use the postage-paid Speak UP! card found in the back of this issue in responding to Ms. Smith's request. We will then forward their comments to her.

    82 and going strong

    Add us to your list of North America's oldest tire dealerships (Aug. 7 issue).

    Robinson's Auto Service was founded in 1913 and is still going strong.

    We're opening our second location this fall on the west side of Aurora (a Chicago suburb).

    The accompanying photo is of our founder, Ed Robinson, pictured at the Florida estate of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. founder Harvey S. Firestone Sr. We believe it was taken in the 1930s.

    J. William Bonewitz

    President

    Robinson's Auto Service Inc.

    Aurora, Ill.

    Continued on page 10.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

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