Kiwi, Mike, Mr. Gatto (Dad), Me, Scott

I’m pretty lucky.  I work with my family every day.  My sons, Mike and Scott are here, along with my son-in-law, Kiwi.  And my dad, Mike Gatto, the company founder, stops by all the time to see how things are going.  My grandkids even visit after school.  What could be better than that?

My Grandkids

This is a family-owned and operated business.  We’ve been here for 40 years and we plan to be here for a few more generations.

I hope you and your family have a great holiday season and everyone has a happy new year.  Happy holidays, my friends.

Pam

And for those of you looking for a last minute present – to yourselves, don’t forget about this great deal from Goodyear:

Get a $25 Mail-In Rebate with a purchase of $250 or more on the Goodyear® Credit Card. Get a $50 Mail-In Rebate if the $250 purchase includes any four Goodyear or Dunlop® tires. Offers valid 12/04/11 — 01/14/12. See store for details.

So if you think your tires are ready to be replaced (and if you aren’t sure, just stop by one of our stores and we’ll take a look for you), then now is the time. If you hurry there are several deals that you can use to save some money that can be used to buy yams and stuffing.

The Gatto’s Anniversary Deal – It’s our 40th Anniversary (you knew that) and you can

Take $40 OFF any set of in-stock tires.

Goodyear Deal – From now until Dec 3 Save up to $40/$80 or Double Your Rebate up to $80/$160 with a Goodyear credit card – on both Goodyear and Dunlop Tires. Come on in and select the Goodyear or Dunlop Tires you desire. Depending on your choice you will be eligible for either a $40 or $80 rebate. Purchase on a Goodyear Credit Card and Double Your Rebate. (see store for details)

Michelin Deal (you better hurry for this one) – Buy any set of four new MICHELIN brand passenger or light truck tires from October 31 through November 28, 2011 and receive a $70 prepaid card after mail-in rebate (see store for details).

So stay safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Pam

My dad, Mike Gatto, had already started the business and I was still in the process of moving to Florida. By a strange coincidence the very weekend when I made the trip was also the grand opening of Disney World.

I remember heading South on I-75 with my sons Mike and Scott when we hit the wall of traffic that was made up of Disney-bound folks. It was quite a sight, and quite an unexpected traffic jam. Getting to Melbourne was a bear!

But somehow we made it, and we’re glad we did. Those two little boys riding in the car with me 40 years ago now work with me every day at Gatto’s. That’s pretty magical, too.

Pam

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If you need to make a trip to Disney, or even farther, you should always check the treads on your tires. Are they wearing evenly? If not, they may be over or under inflated. Bring them by one of our stores and we’ll check them for you – free!

And if you’re in the market for some new tires, here’s a way you can save some money, and maybe donate some of what you save to help support our troops.

Goodyear is running a very special program to show gratitude for the U.S. Armed Forces by raising funds for Support Our Troops, a charitable organization that helps active duty troops and their families.

When you purchase a set of four select Goodyear or Dunlop tires on the Goodyear Credit Card you can DOUBLE YOUR REBATE UP TO $160. Come on in and ask one of the go-to guys at Gatto’s how you can take advantage of this offer and how you can support our troops.

To our long-term customers, thanks for sticking with us. To those of you who haven’t yet made our acquaintance, come on in and see what keeps us going and going and going—and what keeps our customers coming back, again and again.

Gas prices are about a dollar a gallon higher than they were a year ago and although the pain at the pump has eased a little, the wisdom of getting full value from every tank full of gas has never been clearer. If you commute then you need to get smart about saving fuel – and proper tire inflation can save you money.

At Gatto’s, we have always tried to look out for you and that means we’ll check your tires for free and make sure they are properly inflated. But you also owe it to yourself to learn about your tires so you can keep the right amount of pressure even when a Gatto’s location is not handy (sometimes people travel outside of Brevard County – don’t ask me why, they just do!)

Below is an excerpt from a column by Editor Jim Smith of Tire Review magazine:

Complete article

And speaking of wasting fuel, as we close out the 10th annual National Tire Safety Week, the RMA offers these facts from its annual survey of drivers and tire care:

• 60% of drivers wash their car at least once a month, but only 14% check their tire inflation pressure once a month

• 62% of drivers do not know where to find the correct inflation pressure for their vehicle…53% say it’s the tire sidewall while 14% do not know at all.

• 43% of drivers do not know that tires should be checked “cold” – before driving.

• 52% of drivers do not know how to tell if their tires are bald.

• Nearly 70% do not check the tire pressure in their spare tire.

• 75% cite checking tire pressure as a top fuel saving tip.

• 20% of male motorists and 9% of female motorists properly check tire pressure.

Now, I’m not a big fan of regulation. I think that most people can do just fine without the government getting involved. And, of course, at Gatto’s you don’t have to worry, because we will continue to give you a fair shake on every deal. We want you coming back, time and again, for years to come.

But read this summary from the editorial:

“Mechanics will no longer be required to register or be inspected by the state or give you a written estimate for repairs costing more than $100, so the onus is on you to insist on one. Smart consumers obviously should, but another loosened rule could smack them in the wallet.

“Mechanics also no longer will have to notify you before fixing something else they find wrong under the hood that jacks up what you owe 10 percent or more.”

Now if you didn’t know these rules had changed, an unscrupulous business could take advantage of you and you might not even know it. After all, if you assume that there are rules that force shady people to play fair, but someone changes those rules without telling you… That’s not what I call a level playing field.

Anyway, as long as you keep coming to Gatto’s you won’t have to worry about these changes. Because we don’t plan to change.

You have my word on it.

See you at Gatto’s.

Pam

Busted.

Actually, because of engine efficiency and modern fuel injection (and the elimination of carburetors and chokes) the only possible reason to idle your car is to get the oil circulating, but that only takes 30 seconds.   And here in Florida there’s no reason to “warm up” your car at all.  I know, I’m preaching to the choir.

You can read all about it here.

And I also wanted to remind you about the Michelin Tire deal that’s going on right now.  Buy a set of 4 Michelins at Gatto’s and get a $70 Rebate. That’s pretty sweet.  And with that purchase you get tires that are backed up by Michelin’s new PROMISE PLAN.

Check this out:

30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Available on all MICHELIN passenger and light truck replacement tires. If you’re not 100% satisfied, bring the tires and original sales receipt back to the place of purchase within 30 days for a new set of tires.

3-Year Flat Tire Changing Assistance
A qualified service professional will change your flat or provide towing at no charge. In case of a flat tire, simply call 1-888-553-4327 and a qualified professional will change the tire or provide towing up to 150 miles for free. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in the U.S. and Canada.

Limited Mileage Warranty
MICHELIN passenger and light truck tires (replacement and original equipment) are covered by a limited warranty for tread wear.
See Michelin limited mileage warranties

Michelins are always a great deal and with the PROMISE PLAN they’re even better.

So what have we learned? First, idle cars are the devil’s playground (to paraphrase) and you Gotta Go to Gatto’s for a new set of Michelins, get a $70 Rebate and the PROMISE PLAN.

Drive carefully and I’ll see you at Gatto’s.

Pam

We’re all in this together. Bringing your business to Gatto’s means a lot to the local community, too. Healthy local businesses are the backbone of this country, and taking your dollars to big box or chain stores keeps very little in our town.

Understand that the Gatto crews ARE tires, inside and out. We know tires and vehicles, and how best to marry the two to provide you with the optimum in treadwear, braking, handling, comfort, low noise and fuel efficiency. We are extremely well-trained and know how to keep your vehicle running strong and safely for you and your family.

Remember that the Gatto family really is a part of this community. My father Mike Gatto started this business in 1972, my sons Scott and Mike work here, along with my son-in-law Kiwi (another Mike, really, he’s from New Zealand). We all live and work here. We all have families, same as you, and we believe in treating people like we would treat our own spouses, parents, sons and daughters.

Most importantly, when you buy your tires and service from Gatto’s, you show that you place a great deal of importance on getting the best – and more.

I can personally promise that you are getting the best selection and service you will find anywhere, and you will drive away on the best possible tires for your vehicle and budget.

If quality is important to you – and it should be – know that the tires you will find at Gatto’s are made by the best manufacturers in the world and feature advanced technology developed specifically to keep you safe and optimize your vehicle’s performance. Whether you drive a minivan or sports car, you will find only the best tire options here.

The tire recommendations you get here come from people well-trained by the manufacturers and suppliers to know and understand how to best match tires to a customer’s needs. We are not just trying to sell you something; we are working to put the best rubber and replacement parts in your vehicle. Why is that important? Because we want to see you again and again as a customer, but we don’t want you to have to come back complaining about bad tires or a specific service problem that wasn’t addressed.

If you ever have an issue at any Gatto’s store, I want you to talk to me personally. Together we will find an answer. At Gatto’s you can expect us to make good on our promises. On that, you have my personal guarantee.

Drive carefully and I’ll see you at Gatto’s.

Pam

I want to personally thank you for your loyalty to Gatto’s Tires & Auto Service and making your tire and service purchases here. You have made a smart choice in selecting our stores, and I have every confidence you will not be disappointed.

It’s very tough these days to make confident purchasing choices. Budgets are tight and everyone is trying to make each penny stretch as far as possible. But I want you to know that while there are other options available to you that purport to have “the lowest prices,” the true value of your buying experience today far exceeds whatever you might “save” shopping at cheaper alternatives.

From mass merchants like Walmart and price clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco, there are certainly plenty of places where less expensive tires can be found. National chain stores, too, promise to save you money. But none of these alternatives are as invested in their customers’ well-being as Gatto’s. None are as committed to your safety, and surely none can claim the level of expertise that Gatto’s and our staff holds. Why? Simply put: This store is focused completely on tires and service, and nothing else. Ask yourself this: Do I want to purchase something this important to my well-being, and that of my family, from a place that doesn’t even specialize in tires?

Check out the experience of one of our new customers, June Wright, who had a few disappointments before she found Gatto’s.

Read June Wright’s Testimonial here

Then ask yourself this question: Do I really want to buy the cheapest tires? All tires are not the same. There are many differences in quality and performance between the cheapest tire and the most expensive. When it comes to the only part of your vehicle that touches the road—a connection to the street that is only the size of a standard envelope—do you really want to buy the least expensive tires? Because Gatto’s is a local business, the staff here have a special appreciation for the performance and value customers expect. We know and care and will always deliver the best options for your safety and your wallet.

I have some more reasons to choose Gatto’s and I’ll share them with you in the next “On the Road”. For now, let me wish you and yours the very best during this holiday season.

Pam

PS: We want to thank all of you who participated in the Holiday gift drive to benefit the children in Brevard County’s foster care system. Because of your generosity and the hard work of Brevard C.A.R.E.S. there will be many more smiles on a lot of young faces when the big day arrives.

And holidays mean that you may soon be hitting the road to grandma’s house, or other distant loved ones, so I thought I would remind you to be extra careful during those drives. This is especially true when you are full of turkey, (although some scientists will argue that tryptophan doesn’t really make you sleepy), because fatigue is dangerous.

Here’s some advice from the State of Florida:

When you drive tired, the risk of being involved in a crash goes way up. That’s because not getting enough sleep negatively affects your:

• Reflexes, slowing your reaction time
• Judgment, making it more likely that you’ll make mistakes and take risks
• Concentration, allowing your mind to wander and increasing the chances of being distracted
• Alertness, increasing the chance that you’ll miss important traffic cues
• Mood, putting you in a bad mood and leaving you unmotivated

Research shows that inattention and other mental lapses contribute to as many as 50 percent of all crashes. While fatigue may not be involved in all these crashes, it clearly contributes to many of them.

Follow this link for more words of wisdom from the FDOT.

And for all the lucky recipients on your holiday list, may I suggest a gift card from Gatto’s? It’s always the right color, the right size and fits snugly under any tree. Well, you weren’t actually going to wrap that set of four Michelin Tires, were you?

And remember that all of our Gatto store locations are designated drop-off spots for Brevard Family Partnership’s annual Holiday gift drive that benefits the many children who will not be spending the holidays in their own homes.

You can help by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy, game or gift card for a girl or boy, from infants to teens. Need more info? Visit brevardcares.org or call Brevard C.A.R.E.S. at 321-752-4650.

Drive carefully and I’ll see you at Gatto’s

Pam

You’ve been there. So here’s a little push to help you avoid this situation.

Come on in to Gatto’s and let us switch out your worn-out wiper blades with some new ones from Rain-X. When you get 2 Rain-X Latitude wiper blades you’ll get a $10 service certificate back by mail. Get a couple of Rain-X Weatherbeater wiper blades and the service certificate is worth five bucks. Ask any of our guys about the details. The offer is good through December 31st.

Just another way we’re helping you put a little something away for a rainy day.

And since we’re talking about December, don’t forget to bring in a gift for some special kids.

Gatto’s has teamed up with Brevard C.A.R.E.S. and some other folks to collect gifts for kids who are being served through Florida’s foster care system and Brevard C.A.R.E.S.

You can help by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy, game or gift card for a girl or boy, from infants to teens, at any Gatto’s location. Need more info? Visit brevardcares.org or call Brevard C.A.R.E.S. at 321-752-4650.

Remember, ‘tis better to give than receive, and it also gives you a chance to use the word “’tis” in a sentence.

Drive carefully and I’ll see you at Gatto’s

Pam