Recently, during our family's 12-day road trip to Atlanta and back, we ended up with a supremely flat tire which left us stranded on a highway outside of Mobile, Alabama in a small town called Tillman's Corner. It was nearly 10pm, and I had a van filled with our stuff, along with me, my wife, and our four kids (ranging in age from 11 years down to 11 months old).
It was windy and brisk outside, so the thought of unloading everyone in order to access the somewhat inconveniently placed spare tire didn't fill me with enthusiasm.
I turned on my iPhone and figured Google could help me solve this dilemma. Thankfully, I found Steve Laurendine of Tire Champ.
I explained my problem to Steve, who said that he needed to go pick up a tire from his shop, but he could probably meet us in "about 35 minutes". Having encountered services like this in the past, I figured we would be lucky if he arrived within the hour. He pulled up behind us 32 minutes later.
Not only was he friendly and professional, no one even had to get out of the car, which was a godsend. All in all, Steve finished the job in just under an hour, which including a full replacement of the tire.
At this point, you're probably thinking to yourself, "Sure, but he probably charged you an arm and a leg, right?". Um..no. In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised by his rates. He charged me $100 for the service, along with $30 for the tire (plus tax, of course). Needless to say, I was more than happy to pay this amount, especially under the circumstances.
According to his business card, Steve provides a full array of services, including new tires, used tires, A/C service, alignments, brakes, shocks, and general tune-ups. I wouldn't trust anyone but him with my business in that part of the world. Mobile, Alabama is lucky to have him.
While I was talking with Steve, I promised him that I would blog about my good experience in order to help him garner more business if someone should happen to come across this post of mine. I gave him my business card, and I told him a bit more about where we were headed the next day (which was New Orleans).
As if his roadside assistance wasn't enough, I was overwhelmed by his service when I received this email the next morning at our hotel:
As you can see, Steve takes service seriously. How many tire guys have you ever known who would go out of their way to provide help in this manner? If you are ever stranded in that area, the only Mobile Alabama Roadside Assistance worth contacting is Tire Champ. Steve Laurendine is a man of integrity, and I hope he is wildly successful. It's nice to come across one of the "good guys" every now and then.
Steve can be reached anytime at 251-518-9619. I recommend him wholeheartedly.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/acameronhuff/4312241339/
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Jason,
Oh now that is what I call service above and beyond. We all need to make sure everyone knows about this guy and he is well posted on Localism. This is the kind of person that everyone else can take a note from.
LOVED IT!
Jason, I make a very long road trip between New Hampshire and Florida, If ever I get stuck in Alabama...it'll be good to know who the go to guy is in that neck of the woods.
Good morning Jason,
Now this guy understands service!! What a great blog written on someone you know you can trust!!
Jason, That's what you call SERVICE! And he has set his self apart I'm pretty sure. Thanks for sharing.
Jason that is a great example of a company going the extra mile and having great personal communication skills!
Jason:
That's pretty impressiveand well worth writing about. That level of services seems pretty rare these days.
Jeff
Hi Jason,
Great Service !!!!!!!
And a great testimonial
Now that is service above and beyond the call of duty! Great job by Steve at Tire Champ!
Jason,
Glad your lemon experience turned into Lemonade! How awesome. I am impressed and will call Steve in Mobile, AL if needed.
All the best, Michelle
Jason, customer service many times spills over into areas that are not covered in our business routine. The personal touch is what most of us remember!
Jason, What I great story, I knew it was coming from your previous posts, great job highlighting a service that deserves the recognition. Heck, I think I am going to drive down there and flatten my own tire just to meet this guy and learn a thing or two about customer service....
Gerry - You could sincerely do a lot worse than to meet Steve. :) It would be worth the time.
This blog made me think a bit about how we have changed over the years. When I was growing up everyone that I knew did this type of thing for everyone else. It was considered neighborly, courteous, thoughtful, polite . . . any words like this that you can imagine. It was the normal and right thing to do. Now people think it's great SERVICE and "above and beyond" what is normally done. Can you just imagine if people got back to treating everyone the same way Steve treated you?!?!?!! What an awesome world it would be. We still run across folks that give all they have . . .but it sure is extra special to have "Steves" in our world, nowadays.
Jason- your post warmed my heart. I can recall being stuck on the side of the road in New Mexico and did not have a chap like Steve to save the day. Great tribute post.
Jason, that is a great tribute to Steve and well deserved, it sounds like! There is no match for great service!
Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care!
Jason, I had no idea there was such a service. Thanks!
Jason,
It's wonderful to know excellence in service can still be found. Thanks for sharing your experience. I don't know that I will ever be in that area, but if so, I want to look up this kind man. What a treat!
Jason, Great Post. It is so nice to hear that there are small business owners out there that are willing help when you are truly in need and not take advantage of the situation. Very commendable in this day and age!
Jason, I can't believe you are still on the road! You have been gone a long time-- Sounds like you got some great service... he probably figured out what a "celeb" you are! Kathy
Jason, I can't believe you are still on the road! You have been gone a long time-- Sounds like you got some great service... he probably figured out what a "celeb" you are! Kathy
Hi Jason! What an awesome story! Now, THAT is customer service! But, you know, I can totally see him wanting to contact you to help you further--you're just that kind of guy that attracts people to you. You're certainly in the right business for that too!
Hope you have a wonderful week...
Jason, What a nice man that Steve Laurendine is! This is truly excellence in customer service in action. I hope he gets business back in droves!
Jason, you can see that I'm a little behind in my reading. This is a great post. I went to College in Mobile, a few years ago LOL, and the whole area is great. I'm amazed at the incredible service that late at night! I hope he gets LOTS of business from this post! It was fun meeting you at RETSO!
Jason, what a kind gesture of yours to give Steve some Google juice. I have no doubt it will bring him business. Today a manb from Pennsylvania called me to talk about the new RPR for lead-based paint and that was just from a re-blog! Southern hospitality - Steve is a living example of the graciousness that used to pervade the old South.
I know you guys had some snow this winter - but for a moment when I saw the photo I thought it was current! We actually had snow last week and yet this weekend it was in the 70's :)
My parents live in Mobile and can't wait to get back to Texas!
There is nothing worse than car problems when you are on a road trip! Glad everything worked out alright!
I have to say that Steve was very professional and courtesy even when I exlpain to him that my company's trailer was broke down and that I needed him to buy tires and then replace them with the old ones on the trailer and it was after 5pm on a Friday...I called several companies who advised me that they dont provide that kind of service and couldnt refer me to anyone...So anyone who reads this if you ever need any service call Steve he is very prompt and friendly