Les Schwab Tires is a local institution, started by a cattle rancher from the middle of the state (near Redmond). They are so consistently old school that they still offer free beef with your tire purchase. They also (normally) have stellar customer service. It doesn’t matter if you buy your tires from them–they’ll still put your snow tires on for free or remove a nail from your tire for free. And normally service is of the eager, cheerful type.

Granted I have a freaking weird tire size. I have RH wheels; they look roughly like this. That means my front tire size is a relatively-unusual (but not bizarre) 225-40-R18, but my rear tires are the sort-of unheard of 255-35-R18s. Wide stuff.

I thought I’d give Les Schwab a chance today, but today’s counter guy was somewhat condescending and not very charismatic. Basically, there’s only one choice of tire and they want a grand–a THOUSAND DOLLARS.

As much as I’ve wanted to give them my business in the past, it looks like I’m going to patronize good old Tire Rack again. Better tires for cheaper. Way.