The business model of the independent tire stores!

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Bill Crowell

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There are 2 independent tire stores in my town. When you get a flat tire and take it there to be repaired, of course you expect to pay for it, but they always say "it's on the house". Sure is nice of them, right?

Last year I bought six 16.5" Firestone Transforce tires for my dually from Walmart because they had the best price and claimed to offer free installation. However, they refused to install the tires because they were an "odd" size, and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it (did you ever try complaining to Walmart?), so I took the wheels and tires to one of the independent tire shops and asked them to install and balance them, expecting to pay a pretty stiff price for all that work, but they AGAIN said it was free! So at this point I was thinking I was their friend for life, and would buy all my tires from them in the future.

Then I called them to see if they had any 235/75-15's for my van, and their prices were $100 per tire more than Walmart and $75 per tire more than America's Tire. (America's Tire is probably the most professional and reputable tire chain around here.)

So are we starting to understand the pricing business model of the independent tire stores?!
 
you know what they say.... "there's never a free lunch".
I know an electrician and he has "free estimates" . He told me the only free estimate he gives is the job he doesn't get. LOL
 
It all has to be paid for somehow. I had a flat on the original tires on my Wife's Buick. I was at Sam's Club parking lot when it went flat. They repaired it no charge because I am a member. That $60 a year membership fee helps pay for the free repair.
 
i have stopped shopping around for tires over a decade ago
i found a local chain store i liked and simply dealt with them (i like having all my stuff in one place)

well, about a year ago i needed 2 tires fixed

called them, and the phone rang and rang and rang

finally i said, screw it, ill just swing by there

so i get there and this kid in a hazmat suit asked me if i had an appointment
i said no, im just dropping off and you guys dont answer your phone anyway

well, we got an app now and i need you to make an appointment on that

i said listen junior, i dont need an appointment, im right in front of you
take the tires, plug em, and ill pick em up in a few days


so he takes my tires, and gives me a slip

i call in about a week later, and again no answer

so i drive out there and see whats going on
same deal, did you make an appointment on the app?
no, and im not putting it on my phone either, i just need my tires


oh yeah, they are done
we couldnt fix em

great, thanks for letting me know


guess what, im at a point where i dont mind paying a few dollars extra for the smaller shop that answers the phone when i call, and calls me back when they are done
 
Watch out for cheap tires. There's a local BP station (hard to believe there's still a station around that does service)
He is very reasonable on tires but it's a great way to sell you some services (which is their business). But watch out, he will rip your head off on the services to make up for the "sell for cost" tires. The profit has to come from somewhere.
 
The other part you are missing is that the independent company has to pay a bit higher price for the product to start. They can't buy in bulk like a tire company can. There is little they can pass on to the customer in savings. The also don't get the tax breaks like the big box stores so more overhead. It all equates to a higher price on the exact same item. Try buying a set of drag tires from say a place like summit and getting someone to mount them anymore. All they keep chirping is liability, liability, nope cant help you. I've been shopping for my own tire machines even though I'm pretty much out of floor space
 
Walmart also has different quality tires with the names you know and trust. They tell the supplier what they are willing to pay and they modify their products to make it work. Most food items, cookies for instance, are packaged the same, but weigh less.
My cousin once brought her car there for tires. They broke a wheel stud and made her get it towed out of there. Wouldn’t do tires, said it had to be fixed. Refused to let her drive it away. I hate Walmart
 
The other part you are missing is that the independent company has to pay a bit higher price for the product to start. They can't buy in bulk like a tire company can. There is little they can pass on to the customer in savings. The also don't get the tax breaks like the big box stores so more overhead. It all equates to a higher price on the exact same item. Try buying a set of drag tires from say a place like summit and getting someone to mount them anymore. All they keep chirping is liability, liability, nope cant help you. I've been shopping for my own tire machines even though I'm pretty much out of floor space
Go to double j tires on 52nd and Southeast holgate they'll put your slicks on... And glue lead weights to the inside of your rims..
 
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