ANDERSON, Ind. — Darin Tobias knows his customers can get tires anywhere.
It takes more than a set of rubber radials to generate repeat business. As owner of Hadsell Tire, Tobias knows that attention to detail makes all the difference.
“Everybody has a price, you can buy price everywhere,” Tobias said. “We go above and beyond.”
Readers of The Herald Bulletin have voted Hadsell Tire, 1841 S. Scatterfield Road in Anderson, the best repair, tire and oil change shop in Madison County.
Bob Hadsell opened the business on Aug. 1, 1980, when Firestone closed its company store. He and manager Walt Thompkins applied 80 years of experience in the tire business.
After five years with Miller Tire, Tobias bought out Hadsell, who was looking to step away from the business. Ten years in business seem to have justified the decision.
“Bob had a great customer base when I took over and a lot of his clients are still customers,” Tobias said. “We’ve just added ours to it and continued to grow with it.”
Hadsell performs all types of repair with the exception of major engine and transmission work. It beat out JB Motorsports, Nick’s Auto Service, Tire Barn and T & J Tire to earn the title of best auto shop. Tobias said the Hadsell staff includes three mechanics, three tire technicians and two customer service representatives.
In 1999, a team of mechanics from Hadsell participated in the Goodyear Pit Crew Challenge, finishing seventh among 33 teams. Their tire change time was 21.22 seconds. And while customers can’t expect that kind of turnaround every time, Hadsell’s eight service bays mean jobs are completed with the least amount of delay.
Tobias said Hadsell has fared better than many other automotive businesses during the recent economic downturn. Instead of buying new cars, he said, consumers are holding on to their existing vehicles and sinking their disposable income into repairs.
“We like to say we serve customers’ needs beyond expectations and we give every customer a reason to smile,” Tobias said. “Not that we can do that 100 percent of the time, but most of the guys here enjoy being here and that makes all the difference.”
Contact Justin Schneider at 640-4809 or justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com
Best of Madison County: 2010
Related Photos
-
Don Knight
-
Don Knight
Related Links
Discussion
March 1, 2010
Repair shop: Service beyond expectations
Hadsell gives customers a reaon to smile
- Best of Madison County: 2010
-
-
Confusion, fear as Haiti camps evacuate for storm
For nearly 10 months, more than 1 million people in Haiti's earthquake camps have been walking a precarious line
-
Bartender: Secret to success is loyalty
ANDERSON, Ind. — When the real estate market tanked, Rick Portwood turned to the thing he knew best — bartending. The decision paid off as Portwood was chosen as the best bartender in Madison County in The Herald Bulletin’s Best of Madison County contest.
-
Bachelor: Steffan dreams of marriage
ANDERSON, Ind. — Car salesman Rob Steffan considers himself a well-rounded man. The 48-year-old has a good job at Myers Autoworld, owns a home in Anderson’s historic district and likes to golf, read and cook. He also never has been married. Steffan was voted Madison County’s Best Bachelor in The Herald Bulletin’s annual public poll. “It’s thrilling,” he said. “I’m flattered. I think a lot of my votes have come from people I’ve met while working (at Myers).”
-
Romantic dinner: The Nile is personal, relaxing
ANDERSON, Ind. – Being named the Best Romantic Dinner isn’t a surprise to The Nile Restaurant because they’ve been awarded many times for their one-on-one service and unique cuisine, said the owner’s husband Samir Naby. “We’ve been one of the best three restaurants in Anderson,” he said. “I think it is neat.” Naby said his wife, Angele Naby, opened the Mediterranean restaurant more than 20 years ago to provide Hoosiers with a piece of their home.
-
Repair shop: Service beyond expectations
ANDERSON, Ind. — Darin Tobias knows his customers can get tires anywhere. It takes more than a set of rubber radials to generate repeat business. As owner of Hadsell Tire, Tobias knows that attention to detail makes all the difference. “Everybody has a price, you can buy price everywhere,” Tobias said. “We go above and beyond.”
-
Bachelorette: Jill McQueary calls selection humbling
ANDERSON, Ind. — Jill McQueary’s selection as Madison County’s Best Bachelorette surprised her, but not so much her friends who nominated her. “They’re my cheerleaders,” McQueary said. Missy Fox was among those friends leading the cheers for McQueary. “I want her to find a good man. She needs and deserves a good man in her life,” said Fox, McQueary’s hairstylist and friend since middle school.
-
Best of Madison County 2010: Retail
Winners and finalists from the Best of Madison County 2010 survey, according to the readers of The Herald Bulletin. Retail includes apartment/rental complex, bank/credit union, chiropractor, company to work for, clothes retail, day care, dry cleaning, department store, electronics, fitness club, flower shop, furniture store, golf course, grocery store service, hair salon, hardware store, insurance agency, jewelry, liquor store, mortuary, customer service, pharmacy, restaurant staff, senior living facility, specialty store, tanning salon, thrift store, veterinarian and Web site.
-
Best of Madison County 2010: Automotive
Winners and finalists from the Best of Madison County 2010, according to the readers of The Herald Bulletin. Automotive includes body shop, new car dealer, used car dealer, sales staff and tire/oil/repair shop.
-
Best of Madison County 2010: Social
Results from the Best of Madison County 2010, according to the readers of The Herald Bulletin. Social includes place to bowl, DVD selection, live music venue, local band, place to dance, family entertainment, karaoke, place to shoot pool and place to watch a game.
-
Best of Madison County 2010: People
Winners and finalists from the Best of Madison County 2010 survey, according to the readers of The Herald Bulletin. People includes bartender, coach, dentist, doctor, electrician, hairdresser, landscaper, lawyer, nurse, plumber, real estate agent, server/waiter/waitress, spiritual leader, teacher/educator, bachelor, bachelorette.
- More Best of Madison County: 2010 Headlines
-
Confusion, fear as Haiti camps evacuate for storm
