Thumbs up to Continental Tyres SA

Account of my experiences:

Many thanks to Amanda Grobler from Continental Tyres South Africa and Jo-Anne Uys from Tyre City Nelspruit !!

We took a few days off over the holiday period at the end of April where there were only 2 working days in the middle of the week. On our way to Badplaas in Mapumalanga on the Monday we had a blow out on our Mercedes ML’s left rear Continental 4x4 tyre and had to do a slow limp for the final 10km’s into badplaas on the ML’s emergency “marie biscuit”.

At that point I had a suspicion that we would not easily find a replacement tyre as we were in the midst of a holiday week and in a remote part of Maphumalanga. What are the chances that you will find a tyre I thought to myself?

I went to the local tyre dealer who surprisingly was open on the public holiday on the Monday. He had no 255/60R17 tyres of any make in stock, nor any second hand tyres and said that it would be impossible for him to get delivery of a tyre from any supplier until the following week because of the holidays. He continued saying: “Try the tyre dealer in Carolina – they might have stock”

On the Tuesday, and one of only 2 working days in the week, I promptly called the tyre dealer in Carolina with high hopes, just to be told that there is no ways they can assist and that I should try a the dealers in Ermelo more than 100km’s from where I was at that moment.

Phoning the guys in Ermelo, I found a dealer that could supply me with a Dunlop tyre of the same size – but I had to take a 100km drive on an emergency tyre rated @ max of 80km/h. I was reluctant to get the Dunlop, as I would now have an odd pair of tyres on the back axle and had to do a 200km roundtrip to get the tyres. The Ermelo guys could not get a Continental 4x4 for me and the Dunlop was my only solution, or so I thought.

Finally I decided to lookup the Continental website on the Internet to see if they could assist. On their website I found a customer care number and called. “Hallo this is Amanda Grobler speaking – how can I assist you” - came the voice from the Continental call centre. I told Amanda my story and asked if she could assist with a dealer who would supply me with the required Continental tyre. At this point I decided that if she could get me the tyres that I will take 2 as the other tyre was almost due for replacement as well. Amazingly she said “Leave it with me – I will courier you 2x 255/60R17 Continental tyre to a dealer nearby tonight and I will get them to come and fit it for you at Badplaas tomorrow morning!” I could not believe what I just heard – here was someone prepared to go an “Extra 400 miles” for a customer on a week where the “country came to a standstill” as a result of holidays.

The next morning I got a call from Jo-Anne Uys from Tyre City – Nelspruit confirming that the tyres are on the way to her Baberton branch and that they will come through by mid day to fit and balance the tyres. Later that day their rep - Mandla - arrived at our chalet in Badplaas with the 2 tyres on the back of his bakkie. Without delay he fitted the tyres and within 15 minutes he was on his way leaving me to marvel at my newly fitted Continental tyres! I was totally blown over by this amazing service!

In my mind there is only one make of tyre I will ever put on any of my vehicles – and you bet - it will be Continentals, nothing else.

For more information contact Org Geldenhuys - 012 345 55 55.