TIRERACK loses a customer over $24.
#46
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I my opinion, TIRERACK was foolish with me about 10 days ago. (In case you guys working there read this). I recently bot 4 new GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTTREAD tires for my 2006 RX330. About an $800 sale, give or take. TIRERACK "sticker" prices are a bit lower than an often suggested competitor, DISCOUNTTIRE.COM. But since DISCOUNTTIRE.COM prices theirs with free shipping, the total cost for 4 tires was lower by $24 vs TIRERACK.
I first called TireRack, because I've dealt with them before and was unsure about what the experience would be with DT. I told TR that I'd buy the tires from them if they met the DT price. The guy quickly, forcefully and unwaiveringly said "we do not cut our prices, ever". So I thanked him and ordered from DT. The tires came quickly like they do from TR and next time I won't even bother if DT is still cheaper. Tire Rack lost a customer over 24 bucks. My observation is that they could continue to get the prices they get but should not be adverse to playing "let's make a deal" with people like me who can provide them with bona fide lower pricing elsewhere.
At the very least, the salesman should have tried to remind me how great TIRERACK service is and whatever other advantages they provide (their web site is better, IMHO, for instance) etc. For $24, I MIGHT have stuck around. But the guy had such an attitude that someone would even think to shop around that I just figured, the heck with them.![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
I first called TireRack, because I've dealt with them before and was unsure about what the experience would be with DT. I told TR that I'd buy the tires from them if they met the DT price. The guy quickly, forcefully and unwaiveringly said "we do not cut our prices, ever". So I thanked him and ordered from DT. The tires came quickly like they do from TR and next time I won't even bother if DT is still cheaper. Tire Rack lost a customer over 24 bucks. My observation is that they could continue to get the prices they get but should not be adverse to playing "let's make a deal" with people like me who can provide them with bona fide lower pricing elsewhere.
At the very least, the salesman should have tried to remind me how great TIRERACK service is and whatever other advantages they provide (their web site is better, IMHO, for instance) etc. For $24, I MIGHT have stuck around. But the guy had such an attitude that someone would even think to shop around that I just figured, the heck with them.
![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#47
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#48
Lexus Champion
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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.
#49
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
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.
#50
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (5)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
#51
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I find Discount tire will match almost anywhere on the internet.
Use a site like Discountwheelwarehouse:
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse....ount_Tires.cfm
Tires are cheap on their site, print out the page with the tire info and price, take it to DT and they've never told me no.
Use a site like Discountwheelwarehouse:
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse....ount_Tires.cfm
Tires are cheap on their site, print out the page with the tire info and price, take it to DT and they've never told me no.
#52
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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.
As a SMB owner, I am totally with you.
#53
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Cool](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif)
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. ![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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.
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.
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
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I moved on to Discount Tire and could not be happier. I find the prices to be as good, service to be completely outstanding and on another level. These guys call me to inform me of rebates and deals. They give me free reign to walk around the shop and even work on the car. I am 110% satisfied with Discount Tire.
Actually my local installer told me he doesn't mind having a guy mount and balance tires all day from TR.
He gets a few bucks more per tire and says it's all labor good profit except for the weights and valves which are paid for by the customer.
Most TR installers inflate the mounting and balancing costs.
He gets a few bucks more per tire and says it's all labor good profit except for the weights and valves which are paid for by the customer.
Most TR installers inflate the mounting and balancing costs.
Of course a good shop owner/manager plans for this and explains to the customer why, no, in fact we won't have two guys spend two hours on your car for $60 + parts.
You will get decent installation and service out of most Tire Rack recommended installers provided you have a bread & butter vehicle. If you have an Ultima or a Ferrari, or a GT-R, just don't expect to pay M&B pricing like that of a 1987 Taurus.
You will get decent installation and service out of most Tire Rack recommended installers provided you have a bread & butter vehicle. If you have an Ultima or a Ferrari, or a GT-R, just don't expect to pay M&B pricing like that of a 1987 Taurus.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
With the internet these days it is easy for people to shop on price and completely disregard service. That's all fine and good, but ultimately it will require a brick & mortar facility and trained, qualified people to actually DO WORK. Shops are disappearing left and right here in SoCal, in part due to a combination of the sluggish (to say the least) economy and huge DTD and Tire Rack companies that buy in HUGE quantities and sell at thin margins.
-Got a flat tire on a Sunday afternoon? Tire rack can help! (can they?)
-Need your tires rotated? Leave it to DTD!
-Have premature tire wear due to poor alignment? The guy at the online store can diagnose that for you over the internet, no problem.
Or, have fun getting your 911 Turbo tires installed at Oscar's used tires in Santa Ana...
I'm saying that often (not always) there IS value in paying a little more. Otherwise, we would all drive silver Chevy Malibus.
-Got a flat tire on a Sunday afternoon? Tire rack can help! (can they?)
-Need your tires rotated? Leave it to DTD!
-Have premature tire wear due to poor alignment? The guy at the online store can diagnose that for you over the internet, no problem.
Or, have fun getting your 911 Turbo tires installed at Oscar's used tires in Santa Ana...
I'm saying that often (not always) there IS value in paying a little more. Otherwise, we would all drive silver Chevy Malibus.
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.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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.
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.
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.
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
#54
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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?
I took my Lexus RX to DT to replace tires after almost 4 years
![Woohoo](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/woohoo.gif)
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?
#55
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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
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
#56
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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
Steve
#57
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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..
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..
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#58
Instructor
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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!
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!
#59
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
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.
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.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#60
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
deathstar
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
2
09-02-11 07:03 PM
GS300ToM
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
7
04-14-09 11:18 AM