'Have You Been Approved?:' Mississippi Customer Pays $1,200 for 4 New Tires. Then He Has No Way to Pay for Them

"I thought I could just use the financing."

Mississippi customer pays $1,200 for 4 new tires. Then he has no way to pay for them

Photo by: shittytire & Towfiqu barbhuiya

Mustafa Gatollari

By: Mustafa Gatollari

Nov 3, 2025 at 4:00pm ET

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For many people, getting a fresh set of tires for their vehicle is a hefty upfront cost. Which is why many tire shops offer payment plans for new wheels. However, Collins, who works at City Tire in Batesville, Mississippi, points out that sometimes, folks don’t understand that you need to get pre-approved for financing first.

In a recent TikTok skit, Collins describes a situation involving a customer who assumed they’d be able to finance their tires—but didn’t bother to confirm this until after the work was done.

Financing Tires

"All right, sir, we got your four new tires put on. And your front-end alignment it’ll be $1,282.85," Collins says. Then, playing the customer, he replies, "Good deal. Don’t you have some kind of financing?" The worker responds, "Yes, sir, we have financing. Is that what you’re wanting to do?"

The customer says that he does want to finance the tires.

"All right, well have you been approved already?" the employee asks, a tinge of worry in his voice. "Yeah my wife did it. I think so," the customer responds.

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As it turned out, the customer had it wrong. "I just looked and it said you were denied, do you have any other way to pay for this?" the employee says. "No, I thought I could just use the financing," the customer replies.

"You can use the financing for tires if you’re approved," the worker says. He then adds, "But you aren’t approved so, I don’t know what else to tell you."

"I just assumed that I’d…be approved for the financing," the customer replies.

Then Collins pantomimes slapping the customer. "You gonna come up with the money?"

"Yes sir, yes sir, I’ll be back with the money shortly," the customer says. Then the video cuts to him holding cash. "I got your money. I’m gonna leave it right here for you. I appreciate it. Sorry for your troubles," he says.

Based on a True Tire Story

Collins explains that the skit is a dramatization of real events.

"Now, I didn’t slap him, but I wanted to," he explains. "But that really happened the other day. Come here and we put four tires on and he had no way of paying for it. He ended up going to scrounge up the money somewhere."

One commenter pointed out that there are ways to deal with this sort of situation. "You just hold the keys, mechanic lien," they wrote.

A second agreed, writing, "They come up with money real fast when you tell them they can’t have the vehicle until it’s paid in full.

Gallery: What To Do When Your Factory Tires Need Replacing

What is a Mechanic’s Lien?

A mechanic’s lien is invoked when a laborer, contractor, material supplier, or subcontractor goes unpaid for their work. It allows a mechanic to keep the car and place a lien on it until you can pay your bill. Many jurisdictions have their own laws and regulations involving mechanic’s liens, but the core principle remains the same.

According to the law firm Morris Bart, "This is a form of security interest known as a mechanic’s lien." The firm notes that keeping a non-paying customer’s ride is a form of protection for mechanics. This way, they can ensure their defunct customers have a keen interest in paying for the service.

But there are some stipulations, Morris Bart writes. First, service techs must provide adequate notice to the customer. Moreover, customers may be able to dispute the lien.

The nonprofit Upsolve reports, "Many states allow [techs] to sell" vehicles to recover funds due for their work. Conversely, customers can argue that the level of work provided was unsatisfactory.

Each jurisdiction has its particular requirements as to whether or not these sales must go through public auction or if a private sale is allowed. Take note that formal proceedings are required to prevent an unscrupulous mechanic from selling your vehicle to their buddy for a price well below market value.

Upsolve adds that in many states, mechanics automatically have a liens when you agree to let them work on your vehicle. As long as they have possession of it, they don’t need to initiate any formal process.

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"However, if the mechanic wants to sell the car or no longer has possession, they typically need to record the lien on the title with the state," Upsolve writes. "This process, known as ‘perfecting’ the lien, ensures their legal right to the car is officially documented."

Motor1 has reached out to City Tire via TikTok direct message for further comment.