Well I'm in the market for some new tyres. The fronts are scalloped to hell to the point the car shakes on the freeway.
That fix is next - suspension
So I started with
the cat, all good.
Then spoke with a mate that said to call a place I'd dealt with years before, so I did (more on that later).
Now, I understand that some tyre manufacturers (EG: Yoko, G'year, BFG) wont sell to all retailers - inc plenty I called, so some stores have to 'buy' them from other dealers to sell them to you, and everyone needs to make a living so it adds up real quick.
I have no issue with people making a living. But when you look at the differences, some smoke roll-ya-own, others smoke Gran Habano's...
So at home with a sick kid, I started calling around for 285/75x16 MTRs.
Now, the price differences are .. well you decide! The areas the stores are in also make a difference, with some of the inner city places being cheaper than the outer area ones (I see that as backwards!)
I'll start with prices each tyre askin for a price on 5 of them to be fitted in the next week - remember these are only 285's... I'd hate to price 315's or 17 or 18inch rims!!
$$
400
475
385
375
372
485
400
440
490
385
495
Bit of difference eh!
Then I called the tyre place I'd used before for MTR's years ago for my first set on the GU when I first got it. $510EA!
FIVE HUNDRED AND TEN - new club house leader!!!
The bloke said, how does that compare with others. I said your not on the right planet. He asked for my best price, I told him, he said,
"yea no probs, we price match, I'll get permission off head office and call you in the morning"...
?
I get a call back today...
Him 'who ever was selling at those prices is below cost..'
Me 'thats what I like to hear'...
him 'how does $336ea fitted and balanced sound?"
me 'Pardon?'
him '336'
me '...Call me when they arrive'....
he beat the best price, which I expected to be $5.00ea or something....
Down from $510 to <330? overnight
..
Anyway, it pays to shop around on ****... insurance is another story like this...