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Sort of Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Tue, 4 Apr 2006 10:20:54
In Reply to: Town Fair Tire ?s, R.T., Tue, 4 Apr 2006 10:03:27 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Last time I checked, TF's 'free' alignment is two wheel only, with purchase of 4 tires. They will tell you that you need four wheel alignment. So it works out that you'll get a discount on the alignment.
I wasn't aware that they had free mount and balance. That may be for static balance, not a dynamic balance.
That said, I use Town Fair. As to prices, if you go in and ask for a price, you'll pay more than you have to. This is my approach:
I buy a copy of Road and Track and check out the latest Tire Rack ad. I go to the Tire Rack website and figure out the price, with shipping, of the tires I want. I then assume about $12 per tire for mounting and balancing - you can contact a local garage and see what they would charge. Now you know the comparison price.
With that price in my head, and the copy of R&T opened to the Tire Rack page under my arm, I go into Town Fair and ask to speak to the manager. I then ask him for his best price, total, with tax would be for the exact tires you're looking for. The per tire price, or this or that free doesn't matter - it's the out the door price. I usually see a 20% discount or more off the 'list' price.
After you get the price, you have a choice. It'll probably be a little higher than Tire Rack. If you want to save the money, then go through the hassle of mail order - delay, dragging tires around, lack of support. That may not matter, or the price difference may make that well worth it. Only you can tell.
I usually end up with Town Fair. I end up paying about $5-$10 a tire more - about $20 to $40 more for a set of four. But I find the lack of hassle worth it. I also get the road hazard warranty they offer. I've used that a few times - if the tire gets a flat, I just throw on the spare, and drop the tire off; pick it up later that afternoon all better. I had one tire where the sidewall was shredded by a screwdriver in the road - they replaced it with no hassle. That was worth it right there.
But the keys are (1) know what a good price is, and be willing to walk out if they offer too much, and (2) ask for the package price, letting them know that you are willing to go mail order if necessary. They'll tell you mail order has hidden costs, like mounting - agree and say that you've factored that in.
Also - I needed to re-tire a few cars all about the same time. So I walked in and let them know I needed 10 tires - let's deal. And they did.
I bought a set of four snows once, and asked them for their best package price, indicating that I was considering mail order. I got a discount. While the tires were being mounted, a woman walked in, and they sold her the same darn tires at $40 more each - list. So be sure you ask.
posted by 192.249....
, Tue, 4 Apr 2006 10:20:54 <-- Viewing This Message
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