In a viral TikTok that generated 51,500 views as of this writing, Sami Payne (@samipayne3) shares a list of questions to ask the tire shop when car knowledge is limited.

“I know nothing about cars and nothing about tires, but my uncle does. He hates when I get scammed,” she begins.

I’m Just a Girl

Payne’s uncle gave her a list of questions and notes to know before going into the tire shop to prevent getting scammed.

“If I can remember the tire lingo, they’ll take me more seriously,” Payne shares.

According to her, the notes included knowing how many tires she needed, plugging the tire with the nail in it instead of replacing it, and only needing tires rather than wheels.

His first point was for her to only get two new front tires. He mentioned how some tire shops will try to convince customers to replace all four, but he insisted that she only get two.

The second point included the nail that’s in the back tire. She says her tire got a nail in it on her way to the tire shop, but her uncle told her to ask for it to be plugged up rather than buying a new tire because the “tread is fine” on the old one.

She says the third thing he emphasized was that only the tires—the black rubber part—need to be replaced, not the “wheels”—or rims, as she seems to be referring to.

“Bless his heart, honestly. That’s fair to assume I don’t know the difference,” Payne mentions.

Lastly, she says he advised her not to buy warranties or replacements. “They make a pile of money on that crap,” she reports him saying.

She rehearses her lines, but feels unconfident. “Uncle Squeaks, they’re gonna rip me to shreds the second I walk in the door,” she says.

Uncle Squeaks’ advice? “Remember, they work for you,” she reports.

“Your uncle is a smart man,” one TikTok commenter added.

“This video gives I’m just girl vibes,” another commenter mentioned.

How Did the Trip to the Tire Shop Go?

In a follow-up post, Payne reveals she ended up buying three new tires and lug nuts for $419, which steered her away from the original plan.

She says the tire shop employee initially agreed she only needed two front tires and her back tire could be patched up. She was quoted around $220, including taxes and installation, for the two new tires.

However, the price tag went up when the shop discovered her lug nuts had to be hammered off, and the nail in the back tire was in a place that made it “unrepairable.” She questioned whether another shop would be able to fix the back tire and was told every other place would tell her no, so she got a third tire.

“You should always buy tires in pairs of 2 so if you got 3… you should have just bought 4 and use the one good tire as your spare,” one TikTok commenter suggested.

What Questions Should You Ask At a Tire Shop?

Buying tires may seem like a simple process, but it can easily turn into a complex purchase.

Tuffy Tire and Auto Service reports that consumers often focus on price and staying within their budget when buying new tires. While this is important, there are several factors that need to be considered before making a decision.

According to Martin Tire Company, it’s good to know your driving habits, budget, and current tire condition. When visiting a tire shop, questions around these topics should be asked, as well as any warranty coverage or tire-related services with purchase.

Here is a list of questions to ask when shopping for new tires:

Are My Tires Due for Replacement?
How Many Tires Should I Replace?
What Are the Best Tires I Can Afford?
What Do I Need To Know About Warranty Coverage?
What Tire-Related Services Do You Offer?

Additionally, a good tire dealer will ask customers questions about driving habits, how they use their car, budget, desired warranty features, and whether they will drive in winter conditions, Les Schwab reports.

Knowing these questions can help the tire shop recommend the right tire, taking your preferences and budget into account.

Motor1 has contacted Payne via TikTok direct message. This story will be updated if she replies.

 
‘Sometimes Being a Musician Really Helps:’ Man Sells Car On Facebook. Then 2 Buyers Try to Trick Him Into Thinking a Gasket Blew
Woman Road-Trips from California to Arizona After Audi Dealership Checks Out Her Car. It Breaks Down After She Arrives