Thomas Tire & Automotive

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True story about Thomas Tire in Asheboro -We were stranded Thursday morning at our hotel in on Dixie Drive, when the car wouldn't start after we'd just checked out.I called our emergency roadside assistance hotline, but their system was down and they couldn't immediately help, which created a bit of a panic. So my husband asked the desk clerk if she could recommend a mechanic.She didn't have any personal recommendation, but she did "know of" a garage up the street. So Hubby phoned Thomas Tire on Dixie Road (Hwy 64).There are a lot of ifs when something goes wrong with your vehicle while you're in a strange city. Chances of getting ripped off royally are extremely high.We spoke with CHRIS ATKINS, the manager of the Thomas Tire location on Dixie. He told us he'd send a service tech over to diagnose the problem - for only $40. And he assured us he'd get us on our way for a very reasonable price.We were barely off the phone when the tech, BRIAN TURNER, arrived in the parking lot. He was a well-mannered, kind young man who seemed very knowledgable.He checked the battery. No problem. He checked the starter. No problem. It wasn't the alternator ... he was by now scratching his head. The car was making a funny clickety sound when we tried to start it - like nothing he'd diagnosed previously. And he'd been fixing cars since he was a kid. He thought it must be some kind of relay gone bad.Brian started fishing around under the hood and lifting covers. He pulled out a fuse, the tiniest fuse, that looked like it was partially melted. He just happened to have the identical fuse in his fix-it kit. So he replaced the fuse and - voila ! - the car started right up.I asked how the fuse could possibly have gotten melted. Turns out it sits above the brakes, which we almost burned up the previous day after too many hours of meandering on high mountain roads. The brakes were literally smoking at one point and smelled like they were burning.There's supposed to be insulation between the brakes and that part of the engine compartment, but the heat must have gotten so hot that the insulation wasn't capable of protecting.Here's the kicker.When it was time to pay, Brian Turner phoned Chris Atkins, who wanted to speak with us again. And Chris wouldn't let us pay for the work. No $40 service call, no charge for the fuse ... NOTHING. And Brian didn't want a tip. He just wanted to show us pictures of his 7-month old son (first child, sooo cute !)Hubby and I were dumbfounded. Instead of being gouged, we were taken care of with a large dose of friendship and generosity. There are still human angels in the world. We're still shaking our heads.I'm sure Thomas Tire has lots of competition for auto repair business, but they deserve everyone's business.The GlaziersPalm Coast, Florida