Discount Tire - Likely losing a customer

[Lytning]

In addition to studying Engineering in college, I also later studied Business. Business study helped me understand the financial and customer service aspects of projects, in addition to the technical aspects. It also helped to take the emotion out of financial transactions. The value / price of a product or service is determined by mutual agreement between the buyer and the seller. The transaction should be a win-win, or no deal. It is not a question of who is "right". You either agree or you don't. If you don't, shake hands in appreciation of the negotiation, and walk away.

Regarding the different approach in different stores, I managed or directed about $1 billion in global projects during my career. I concluded that the single most important factor in determining project success was the project leader's performance. Similarly, I am certain the "performance" of a specific tire store is determined primarily by the person leading it.

So, when buying tires, the seller and I either agree on a price, or I move on. The store I do business with either meets my requirements, or I move on. It is not any more complicated than that.

Sponsored

 

[locks66]

As someone who owns a company, while I try to be very polite and professional with customers such as yourself , $220 is perfectly fine and if that shop walks away with $25 profit off you I will be suprised.
Techs are making $40 an hour plus benefits / machines/tech to balance and install are expensive / rent / franchise fees.
Many people don’t understand how much anything really costs anymore and just think $50 is a lot of money these days.

if your that mad at discount tire then I’m not sure they want you as a customer anyway. Your not really a long time customer if your buying tires off Facebook. Your taking away a part of discount tires business then asking them to do better on a price to mount them.

just my 2 cents. I appreciate and respect how upfront you were on this post but I would just say to put yourself in a business owners shoes and think about if a customer came to you and took away a part of your profit then tried to beat you up on a labor price.

It wasn't until I ran a business that I learned it costs way too much money to run a business. You can look for savings everywhere, but it's hard to find any. I'm far more understanding of pricing now.

 

[Wendy]

I've been getting my tires at Les Schwab since I was in college (I'm retired now) ... swear by them, they always offer a hazard warrantee included, free service, take back the old chains that you have to carry in WA when it's Chains Required (but you don't have to USE them since you have 4wd), etc.

 

[cal]

Been a discount tire customer for more than 25 years. Bought lots of sets of tires but I've found that each store seems to run itself many times with completely different approaches to customers. There are two in my town and I will only use one. Won't even give the other store a chance.

Just move on if they aren't right.

 

[PreservedSwine]

Seems like small potatoes to me. If you want a lower price go somewhere else.
Honestly, it sounds like they’ve been nothing but honest with you, and I’m having a really hard time understanding what the problem is, why you feel you’re entitled to a discount, and why you would take it to a public forum.

 

[Monkey]

Discount Tire has always treated me well. The location close to me closed down a couple years ago so I've used a new Les Schwab location twice now to patch tires (no charge both times) and once for a new set of tires on another vehicle. They've been great and the guy managing it is super nice. FWIW, I drive past a Big-O to get to Les Schwab, I've used that Big-O location twice over the past 5 years or so and never again. Total a-holes both times. All comes down to who is running that particular store.

Sponsored