1QWKGS4

iTrader: (3)

I've bought from both companies and they're both great companies. I've bought wheels and accessories, sometimes they both took stuff back when it was past the return date. Both are good but for you to get antsy over $24 is RIDICULOUS. As a shopper ofcourse everyone wants the best deal and that you have to understand at times companies will have "Special incentive" like FREE SHIPPING and sometimes they don't.. $24 is negligible.. if you are willing to WRITE OFF Tire Rack because of the FREE Shipping of another company which translate to a $24 difference shows you're an IMMATURE Buyer.. IF I worked for Tire Rack, I would probably tell you the same.. its $24 my god , i can't believe someone would argue over shipping because the other company had free shipping that equated to a $24 dollar difference. If you are in dire offensive over this little money for tires maybe you shouldn't own a car. You know, I bought my share of Rims and tires and to me I rather pay alittle more if it was more convenient for me and/or knowing I will get the highest quality service/equipment. Think about this before writing off a company over a few bucks.. WOW!


You are right sir! Price is not everything.. Service, Availability and quality of goods and services are worth paying alittle more for..

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I agree!

Which is why I buy from discounttiredirect.com. They provide me tthe same service as tire rack, and generally have what I want in stock, plus their nearest warehouse is closer to me so I receive my tires within a day or two where as tire rack's shipment may take up to a week. Both places offer the exact same thing for me, so I go to wherever it costs me less, and that's usually Discount Tire Direct.


Two weeks ago, they were able to refund me a price difference (>$50) for a sale that came up AFTER I purchased the tires.

What's great about Tire Rack is their articles and reviews. It's my first resort for tire research.

bruce van

You obviously have had experience in the harsh world of retail. People often don't think about the high cost of operating a business and think that the consumer is always entitled to the best product, best service, best price. That's not reality.

There's a difference between price and value. I've been in business my entire life and I think people should support businesses they believe in. They may not sometimes have the best price, but if I like the company and their values, I'm willing to pay a little more to support them.

KA8

iTrader: (1)

I used to be one of those people who nickle and dime everything. Life is so much better when you're paying attention to better things in life. Many years ago when I was a teen I used to shop for gasoline and go to a place a mile away to save 2 cents/gallon but think about how much you're burning gas to get there... Just saying.

Having run a business before I cringe when people complain price is too high. It's like they want something for almost nothing.

I'm one of those people that will never buy tires online. I like to go to a physical location, see the tires I'm getting and get them mounted. I'm sure I can get better pricing online but tire shop I go to gives me good deals everytime.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Being a Tire Rack customer, I love they're service on top of that DT don't have road hazard that tirerack has. Prices for my OEM tires seem to be the same +buck or 2. I like tirerack as it makes my research for tires a breeze and thats why they get my business. If the difference in price was $50+ I would consider DT but over a few bucks no way.

chikoo

In DT's favor, they have always shown awesome professionalism and i have never had the opportunity to defect to TR... Yet.

chikoo

+1

As a SMB owner, I am totally with you.

Big Mack

iTrader: (1)

First off, many good points here both for and against. I am a loyal DT customer because they earned my business - that is something I value. You take good care of me, I will be a good customer and you will see business from others because of me if that's possible. He who provides good customer service wins. I am not referring to online, because I go to the store - which is one mile from my home and across the street from my offices.

Agree, but the idea that tires are a commodity is certainly true, too. If you can coordinate easily as Batman has demonstrated, it's worthwhile - except the dealers are farther from my house/offices .

Sounds like my local DT. You found a winner, and that's how it should be. That's a business and manager doing things the right way.

I disagree - they're not inflating the costs, they're simply not giving someone who doesn't buy the product a discounted price on the labor. Nothing wrong with that. Same thing with a lot of places - buy a radio here, get a discount on the harness, kit, etc.

Agreed on both counts - and you shouldn't expect that since it does take more experience and knowledge to work on specialized vehicles. Time and knowledge is money - I spent it to learn, you spend it to get my services.

Hahahaha. I have to agree. My local DT isn't open on Sundays, but that's fine. And I don't really think it's the same thing to talk about the rotation or tire wear issues, since you'd have to get those done locally anyway. If you get the tires mounted and balance at Discount, you get free rebalance and rotations, AFAIK.

Definitely agree on getting more value many times when paying a bit more. I can get the local burrito shop to make some great chik'n enchis for $8, or I can hit the closer place for $7. I'd rather drive further and pay more because I get a nicer set of enchis and their beans are mo betta.

100% agree. My sign in my former shop: cheap, fast, good. Choose one. Also had the one that stated the price was the price. Very simple.

I have no problem with people shopping around. I had a customer ask my if I would match BBY's price on a product (they could order it for him, but didn't have it in stock). I said no. He asked why and I pointed to the signs. I then explained that the techs were trained to know how to take the vehicle apart, check everything over and we guaranteed our work. We'd also take the time to show him how to use the product properly, integrate it in the most logical way, and make suggestions on upgrades that may come in handy if he wanted more down the road to save time and money since we would reduce the number of times we took the vehicle apart to do them. That's value (yes, he bought from me).

Tough to argue. A business that is run by competent professionals will win out over one that is run by knuckle dragging idiots in the long run.

Big Mack

chikoo

One more feather in DT's cap:

I took my Lexus RX to DT to replace tires after almost 4 years (Those Yokohama Geolander's are awesome)

Sadly the wheel lock was too tight since the tires were not rotated all these years and they had to break the lock to replace the wheels. After that, they called in another set of wheel locks from Lexus and replaced them on my RX, no charge.

What more can you expect from a top notch place?

I8ABMR

I have been a loyal DT customer for a long time, but I remember so many CL members clowning me back in the day because I used to order my wheels from them as well. Funny to see so many people who love them now.

I like DT because of the customer service and the fact that everyone working there seems like they are high on Prozac and caffeine . I go in there and the workers are literally singing and dancing. They always seem so up beat. The other reason I go is that half the staff are my previous patients. Its helps if you tip as well. I just had my wheels rebalanced twice on Friday ( still vibrating) and I tipped the tech and the manager each $20

oldcajun

I'm lucky to live in a place with at least 2 Discount Tire retail shops. They have earned my business by providing exceptional service and reasonable prices. My tire purchase price includes lifetime balancing and rotation at no cost. When you include shipping and mounting charges, they match Tire Rack's online pricing in almost every case. Local tire purchase choices for me are Discount Tire or Costco and I prefer DT.
Steve

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I would go to Discount Tire if they were in my area but use TR and have them shipped to a local shop I know .
I remember one problem with a Bridgestone Alenza tire I bought from TR back in '06 and I just went to a local Firestone/Bridgestone tire store and they replaced the tire.You have a the tire company's warranty.
A couple of weeks ago,I ordered a set of GY Assurance Comfort Touring for my son's Civic from TR.Good price and $80 rebate..

GunnyFitz

All I have to say is that TREAD DEPOT will match and beat ANYONE else's prices and make you proud to give your money to them with such awesome customer service, hands down!
Don't think you have the best deal out there until you call Sean or Andy. Tell them I sent you since I've been sending them so many others too!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

10 month old thread.
I look online for prices so I have an idea and whatever reviews there may be. The local shops I've bought tires from have beat online prices. May not be much but even at $3-5 per, that buys some cheap eats or a bit of gas. And it supports the local guys.

chikoo

+1
But I make sure to appreciate the customer by giving him/her a discount once the sale is made and not making my life miserable by haggling for discounts.