Re: Tire Rack fascination
"Steve" <no@spam.thanks> wrote in message
news:uJWdnerDWvBrDNfeRVn-qQ@texas.net...
> C. E. White wrote:
>
> > "Steve" <no@spam.thanks> wrote in message
> > news:BMGdnYLwBuW9GNveRVn-vQ@texas.net...
> >
> >
> >>Or TELL the local retailer what the Tire Rack price is. Bring a
> >>printout. Odds are, they'll match the price.
> >
> >
> > Well in my case, they just laughed at me. Then they told me the TireRack
> > tires must be defective, or blems, or the price was a misprint
or.........
>
> Good reason to not trust them at ANYTHING. If a tire retailer is that
> ignorant of how the world works in their own marketplace, they're sure
> not likely to give you good products, prices, or services.
Well Sam's Club, my preferred local tire installer, didn't have tires in my
size. The closest Michelins they had (P235/70R16) were $127.68 a tire plus
installation. The cheapest tire in this size (Dunlops) were $88.23 per tire
plus installation. Even if Sam's would have installed these tires (and they
would not), it would have cost me over $425 for four.
> > And I don't really like to play that game. I prefer to reward businesses
> > that offer me good prices the first time.
>
> So do I, and there are a number of retailers that do just that, or will
> match the difference when Tire Rack beats them by a few bucks. Discount
> Tire comes to mind.
If I have to go in and beat them over the head with the TireRack price, they
are not giving me their best price the first time are they?
Anyhow, I am a happy camper today. My TireRack order arrived at the
installer on Friday. I couldn't get to the installer till yesterday morning
(Monday). I had an 8:30 appointment. They started on my car promptly at
8:30. I was out of there and at work by 9:30 with nice new Michelins on my
Saturn. Installation including balancing and tire disposal was $11 a tire
($44 total). My total cost was $356, which was half the of the lowest cost
quoted by a local retailer for the same tires. And installation was easier
than I've ever had it. I was very pleased with the whole transaction from
beginning to end.
As I said before, if the difference in cost is just a few dollars, I'll go
with the local installer. But there is no way I am going to pay twice as
much for the same tires.
The next time I need tires (probably next spring), I'll shop TireRack again.
If they are $30 or more cheaper (including shipping, taxes, and
installation), I'll go with them again. I want to support local businesses,
but not when they are screwing me on the cost. And, at least in my case, the
a local buisness did get my business. They got money from me for installing
the tires, and, I believe, a kick-back from TireRack. And I was happy that
the installer I used did not try to sell me any other services that I did
not ask for.
Ed