On rims or off? Ask in September.
Every fall it's the same. The first snow shows up in the forecast, and every stored-tire customer you have wants Saturday morning.
Snow in September, the rush in October
At Calgary's airport, the 1991–2020 normals average 2.2 cm of snow in September and 11.5 cm in October1.
The detail
The first flakes, not the calendar, decide when the counter fills up.
So the bookings go out before the forecast does.
The detail
Otto texts every customer with a set on your racks, in your shop's name, with times that match your bays, and each answer lands in that customer's record.
From the first text to the rack list
Late September: the first text
Times for every stored set, and one question: on rims or off?
The detail
An off-rim set needs mounting and balancing, so it gets a longer slot.
The week before
A reminder with two more questions: is the wheel lock key in the car, and is a tire light on?
The night before
Tomorrow's rack list goes to the shop by tag number and bay order.
The detail
So the sets come down before the doors open.
Snow in the forecast
Anyone who hasn't answered gets one more text. Opening Saturday or adding a tech waits for your yes.
At the bay
Your tech notes the tread on the summer set before it goes up on the rack.
The detail
Anything that needs work becomes an estimate your service writer sends.
Back on the rack
The summer set is tagged with the customer's name and plate.
The detail
The spring reminder is dated from that tag.
What stays with your tech and your service writer
- Otto never tells a customer a tire is safe or worn out. Your tech measures; your service writer quotes.
- It never okays work on a car. Extra work goes to the customer as your service writer's estimate.
- It doesn't open Saturday or add a tech without your yes.
- It doesn't charge a storage or no-show fee you haven't set.
Your Tire Co.
6:45 am Example
Morning. Snow's due Sunday; here's today's rack list.
Done overnight
- Sent today's rack list to the shop: 18 sets by tag number, in bay order.
- Booked nine more stored sets from last night's replies. Six are off-rim.
Waiting for your yes
Add a second tech Saturday and offer the new slots to the 23 who haven't booked?
Your service writer's estimate for Mr. Ortiz's front pads is ready. Send it with his booking?
Look first
Pads near the limit at his spring swap. Estimate checked by your service writer.
Sources
- Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020: Calgary (Airport), Alberta, Environment and Climate Change Canada. Read 2026-10-27.
Checked on 2026-10-27.
