NEWSLETTERS - RNR Vegas helps customer stay young at heart

RNR Vegas helps customer stay young at heart

RNR Las Vegas Customer Leo Mazer (center) with RNR Manager Kelly Pierce (L) and wife Tammy Pierce.

At 87, decorated veteran Leo Mazer of Las Vegas may not seem like the typical custom wheel and tire rental customer.

Then again, Mazer isn't your typical anything.

A veteran of World War II (Philippines), Vietnam and Korea, Mazer spent 20 years in the Army before retiring. He's also been married to the same woman for 67 years.

Oh, and the Minnesota transplant -- he moved to Vegas for the weather in 1986 -- is a bit of a car enthusiast as well. He's purchased seven sets of custom wheels from RNR Custom Wheels of Las Vegas since Ernie Lewallen opened shop their in 2008.

"I just got a new Kia Sorento in December and Kelly (Pierce -- store manager) helped me pick out some new wheels," Mazer said. "He gives me a good deal and I usually go with the 60 or 90 days 'same as cash'. I trust Kelly. We work together well and he knows what I like. I've been a customer service rep. and I know, if you don't treat people right they'll go somewhere else. Kelly knows that and that's why they have excellent customer service there."

Pierce said getting to know Mazer, and hearing some of his tales of adventure overseas, has been a wonderful experience and he and his store staff looks forward to his visits.

"The guy's got some stories, whenever he comes in for service I sit down with him and he loves to talk about his military service," Pierce said. "You can see it in his eyes when he tells these stories -- 'he's there.' It's a great opportunity. He's a fascinating character I'm proud to call a friend."

Pierce said he invites Mazer and his wife to Christmas with his family every year but the Mazers are usually too busy with their own social plans.

As for the changing face of the custom tire rental customer, Pierce said it's not just a 'youth thing' anymore. With a growing passenger tire division, RNR is seeing its customer base continue to diversify.

But Pierce agrees, Mazer is definitely one of a kind.

"We are seeing older customers come in and that's becoming more common," Pierce said. "As for Leo, he's always been a car enthusiast. He's built cars and wants them looking nice. He just wants to give it a little different look, a unique touch."