Survey Says:

What was the most bizarre question a customer has ever asked you?

“If I have a screw in my tire and I take it out will the tire go flat?”
Dennis Kokoai, Serbu Tire, Windsor, Ont.

“But do you think it’s safe?”
Perry Vandergulik, JEM Auto Service, Coquitlam, B.C.

“A customer once asked me if it was now against the law to repair tires.”
Jim Anderson, Settler, Alta.

“Can you jump a 4-cylinder with a 6-cylinder?”
Dale Alford, EDP Service Ltd., Victoria, B.C.

“Is this the LCBO [Liquor Control Board of Ontario]?”
Darlene Hillier, Prochilo Bros. Auto Collision, Toronto

“Can you patch it? I’m going to sell it anyway.”
Dave Becker, Old Fashioned Services, Peterborough, Ont.

“Do you have tires?”
Julie Holden, Action Tire, Barrie, Ont.

“Can you please change the air in my tires? The air must be old by now, right?”
Ted Grigoratos, Catel Auto Ltd., Toronto

“Do I have to explain what’s wrong with my vehicle?”
Tyler Dermott, Scott’s Auto Repair, Alliston, Ont.

What is the story behind your shop’s name?

“I loved to increase the performance of vehicles since I was a kid.”
Richard Petrowksi, Rick’s Performance, Winnipeg

“My boss’s father ran the shop years ago and the name stayed when he took over.”
Alex Novak, Farrell’s Ultramar, St. Antigonish, N.S.

“My name is Casey Cats – very unique, easily recognizable and well-known.”
Casey Cats, Casey Cats Enterprises, Windsor, Ont.

“My boss’s first name is Kerry and his last name is Hamilton. He took the ‘K-e’ from Kerry and the ‘h-a-m’ from Hamilton and came up with ‘Keham.’”
Terry Skurczak, Keham Garage, Lachine, Que.

“Here’s the situation: we’re in Northern Ontario and we do car audio.”
Norm Pinard, Northern Auto Sound, Sudbury, Ont.

“Playing a game with other techs, we had to come up with a team name. I came up with Top Techs. A couple of years later, I opened a shop and called it Top Tech Automotive.”
Shannon Lavoie, Top Tech Automotive, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

“’Horizon’ is our limit plus owner’s last name.”
Daniel Fortin, Horizon Lussier, Marieville, Que.

“The original owners’ last name was ‘Head.’ When they retired, the new owner kept the name as he used to work for the Heads.”
Ann Marie Cocker, Head’s Auto Repair, Cold Lake, Alta.

What do you say if someone asks to borrow one of your tools?

“Sorry, I need these to make a living. I don’t lend them out.”
Barry Kostiuk, Kingsgate Automotive Ltd., Edmonton

“Screwdriver, yes; lab scope, no.”
Ron Hilenbrandt, Helmut’s Service Centre, Abbotsford, B.C.

“Make sure you bring it back when you’re done!”
Bryan Rashleigh, Subaru of Mississauga, Mississauga, Ont.

“Sure – just remember where you got it from!”
Darwin Depape, TK’s Tire & Auto, Calgary

“Deposit first on hand tools. Others, no.”
Alex Novar, Farrell’s Ultramar, Antigonish, N.S.

“If it’s a tech asking, no problem. For a customer – pound of salt, please.”
Derek Krasnikoff, Mountainview Auto Service, Penticton, B.C.

“F— you!”
Shawn Mayers, Bridge City Transmission, Saskatoon, Sask.

“No, I make a living with me tools.”
Richard Petrowski, Rick’s Performance, Winnipeg

“I ask them if they go to their doctor or dentist and ask to borrow their tools.”
Perry Vandergulik, JEM Automotive, Coquitlam, B.C.

“What does your sister look like?”
Ernie Miller, Precision Auto Body, Truro, N.S.