In March 1997, I purchased four new steel-belted tires, costing me about $400. Approximately 8,000 miles later, I got a flat tire.

I went to the local tire shop where I bought the tires, with all the original paperwork, including some guarantees by the manufacturer, and asked the representative what could be done to the old tire, if anything, or how much a new tire would cost. It was determined the “old” tire was beyond repair and I needed to purchase another one.

I trusted this rep to give me the best price he could. He assured me that was the best he could do because the tire was already on sale for $89. I waited the hour or so for them to fix the tire, paid the bill and went on my way.

I reported back to my husband that I had to get a new tire and that the bill was $108. I could tell he wasn’t impressed. He told me to give him the paperwork and he would call the local shop and find out why the bill was so much. The result of his conversation: an additional half off the price they charged me for the tire.

I’d like to apologize to the rep. If I had told him I had a husband at home perhaps he’d have given me the discount and I’d have saved him the extra paperwork the credit to my account caused him. Janet L. G. Fitzgerald Bangor