N8N

* wrote:
> C. E. White <cewhite3@removemindspring.com> wrote in article
> <4343d0b9_3@news1.prserv.net>...
> >
> >
> > Well after checking local prices, going with the 235/65-16 Michelins LX4s
> > from Tire Rack was a no-brainer. Michelins from Tire Rack including
> shipping
> > are $312. They'll ship them directly to a local installer, who will put
> them
> > on for another $44.Total cost $356. A local retail store's out the door
> > price for 4 Michelin of the same size and type was $710 (i.e., twice as
> > much). Next best local option was 4 BFGs 235/70-16s from Sam's Club, but
> > that would have been $515. What I don't understand is that the store that
> > wanted $710 is always very busy. I've used them in the past to have tires
> > repaired and balanced and they are nice guys. I just can't imagine paying
> > them twice as much.
> >
>
>
> I can't understand the abject fascination that Tire Rack commands. I guess
> it's sort of like E-BAY.....it's e-shopping, therefore it is, somehow,
> better.
>
> Shop around a bit more, and I will bet you can find the same tire locally
> at a much better price than the one retailer you cited.

I don't want to spend all day just trying to find out that I can save
$5 by driving 50 miles, when there's a tire rack approved installer two
miles from my house - closer than any tire store. Besides, the tire
store closest to me I will never patronize again anyway, after they
****ed me over on a set of very expensive Michelins (basically told me
that road hazard was included in the price of the tires and then when I
went to get a replacement tire they asked me why I didn't buy the road
hazard coverage.)

nate

 

Steve

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.

> 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.

C. E. White

"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