RNJ TIRE SALES: COMPANY PROFILE

After spending a few years in positions with Dunlop Tire as an adjuster and onthe floor (in 1967) and then with Goodyear Tire as a sales representative it became apparent to me that I needed a change. Although I enjoyed the interaction and flavour of the tire business I felt that in order to really have the best of it all, it would take opening my own shop. I had already accumulated a following and a philosophy of my own, so in 1970 I opened R N J Tire Sales, in an industrial unit at Midland and Finch Avenues in Scarborough. I might add, I had already dabbled in my own seasonal business, the Save A Heart Snow Service, with my logo 'Proudly Canadian' emblazened on the side of my Toyota Land Cruiser!

Back in those days, 'on car' balancing was the norm but with the advent of computerization it soon became a thing of the past. Just about anyone could be trained on the use of computer balancer and the finesse of on car balancing became redundant, or so it was thought. It was quicker and easier and therefore, cheaper and in many cases perfectly suitable to balance tires on the machine and have them back on the car and out of the shop in no time. But 'on car' balancing had been, in my experience, the ultimate way to properly balance tires. If they were not on the car itself, there was still room for variations in the balance. Fortunately for me, my clients also felt the same way. As time went on, the big box tire operations loomed on every corner and I felt it necessary to continue to provide an alternative. Small town,. small shop, personal service in the big city. Although I can provide any make of tire, it is the service that brings the customers to my door step.

In 1989 after much soul searching it became apparent that a move was in order. With rising costs a move to my current location at 1600 Alliance Road, unit #14, in Pickering was the logical choice.

So almost 30 years later I like to say that I'm old enough to know how to do 'on car' balancing and still young enough to actually do it!

I take pride in that many of my clients are the same ones that started with me in 1970. Now their children are regulars as well.

Of course tire sales account for much of the business. As mentioned before, I can provide any make of tire, but to make it easier for clients, I also take the time to investigate the best tire available for the budget conscious. There are many tires beside the big brand names that can provide equal if not better performance for a more reasonable price. Therefore, many of my clients leave it up to me to research the best tire for their particular car and are happy with my choice, both in performance and financially. I also use the computer balancing system as well as offer the 'on car' balance for those clients that choose to take it to that level.

As part of my evolution in this business, I saw the need to offer an additional service at RNJ. I feel strongly that alignment goes hand and hand with what I do here. So to compliment the tire service and sales I encourage and offer alignments, done with the same attention to detail.

My clients travel from as far away as Ann Arbor Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie Ontario ([email protected] ), and even a Pontiac Buick dealership in Cambridge, Ontario as well as the local crowd. I have car buffs, high end vehicles of every description and the most important car of all, the family car. As the years have gone by I have had the privilege of working on new cars of every make and model. Dealers feel comfortable in sending difficult cases to me for my opinion and diagnosis.

After 30 years R N J is still a small personal shop, I'd like to say 'one step up from a paper route'. With a comfortable atmosphere for all car owners. The coffee is always on, and in keeping with the times, the filtered water is close at hand. I do appreciate appointments being made since I'm only one man! By having an appointment, that time is dedicated to you, so there is no waiting and I'm not under any pressure to hurry a job through.

I look forward to hearing from you and if you're in the neighbourhood please drop by for a visit.

Sincerely,

Paul Ross, RNJ Tire Sales