Ordering tires
 

I've scheduled a light maintenance for one of my cars at a high end, reputable shop. Is it poor form to order a set of tires and have them delivered there to be mounted and balanced?

I'm giving them my tune up business. I just don't want their markup on my tires. I'm particularly concerned about a local neighborhood tire shop scratching my Fuchs.

TIA

Nick

Ask the shop directly. Everyone is different.

Like Matt said it could only be poor form if you don’t ask first and just assume

with tire rack becoming such a share of the market these days a couple shops im aware of suggest you ship the TR tires directly to them for mount and balance.

NastyNick, agreed with the three chumps (or is that chimps?!?!) above - it is only bad form if you don't assk first and just ASSume.

Tire rack and others have destroyed the margin on tires. The shop will make more on mounting and balance than they would selling you tires at a competitive price.

I would go to them and show them the price from Tire Rack. If they can sell the the same tires for the same price and still make money then buy them from the shop.

I was thinkin ... if you bought a set of used, but like new tires, well they couldn't mark them up could they? That's just me though. At least you wouldn't have to axe them.

My favorite shop charges "Tire Rack plus 5%," but also will receive direct shipment if you buy tires. I've noted that their mount & balance prices are somewhat higher than they were pre TR, however.

Our shop only has a 10% margin on TR tire purchases. But we appreciate the 10%. We also will take tires drop shipped to us but obviously prefer making something on parts Vs not making anything. We do not install customer provided parts for example (for several reasons) ~ that bay is much better served working on a vehicle that brings in margin on both parts & labor Vs a vehicle that is only providing a labor margin. Its just simple economics and any popular shop would want to follow that model.

Also something to consider is disposal. You pay a disposal fee at Discount Tire and other places. Are you taking your old tires home with you? If not, don't be surprised when your shop wants to get paid for dealing with them.

Now this is a very valid point! Be sure to axe them about that. Where you are, one might possibly get screwed in a NY minute!

most shops will not install tires that they dont sell now..
almost all do this except for the ol hick type of shops

Nick- I did this very thing twice at our local P-car shop. I just gave them a heads up. Didn’t seem to be an issue. I’m pretty sure there was a line item charge for disposal as Matt mentions.

Please define "ol hick type".

This is far from true. I can name you at least 3 high end, independent P shops in Metro NY that are far from "ol hick type shops" that will allow you to ship tires to them for install.

I was asking about one in particular I have never dealt with, so I thought I'd ask the collective.

Thank you all for your replies.

Yea, not true on the hick shops.
There is a very reputable and sought after independent Ferrari and Porsche repair shop here that will install tires you bring them. And he is a tire rack installer just to provide the service to his customers. Most of the customers are like me and don't trust the chain stores with a 20 something kid changing tires on obsolete wheels.

If the shop has a wholesale/shop account they can buy the tires cheaper than online posted price.
I have my shop order them at their price but I pay the shop the regular TireRack online price.
That way they can make a buck and I pay the same as if I would have ordered them online myself.

Yes... That is the aforementioned 10% that I had spoke of. Customer gets the on-line price, we get the minimal margin offered.