Want to be really, REALLY attractive to customers? The Hamilton Spectator in Hamilton, Ontario, offered their ideas as to what consumers should look for “in an outstanding tire dealer.”
Pay heed.
“A good place to start is the tire dealers’ website. A good dealer will have details about their background, as well as a listing of their products and services. Prices listed shows they are not only proud of their prices, but also trustworthy and won’t have any hidden costs.”
Having an “excellent selection” is also key. “A tire dealer should be able to provide you with an excellent selection of tires so you are able to find what you need within your budget. In fact, a superior tire dealer will offer you special order services.”
It’s not all about the tire, of course. Being knowledgeable and helpful is another important trait. “Not all tires are created equal. You want a tire dealer who has been around for a while and who offers you plenty of options as well as plenty of advice and knowledge. Buying new tires can be overwhelming if you don’t know much about tires and cars in general. A good, new tire dealer in Hamilton will walk you through your choices and help you make the decision that will be best for you.”
“Installation service” should include balancing, as well as guarantees that you’ll stand behind your work. “You want a team of experienced professionals who are able to provide a variety of tire related services including:
- Buff and seal
- Flat repair
- Additional patch in same tire
- Plug
- Balance
- Valve stem
- Scrap disposal
- Tire rotation
- Buffing hubs and wheels
- Tire installation
Ooppsss!
BTW: The “story” was actually provided by Good to Go, a dealer with three locations in southern Ontario.
While it is easy to poke a little fun, I admire the fact Good to Go made a case for consumers to make a good choice and visit an independent tire dealership. Might be an idea for you, too.
* * * * * * *
The Morning Call, serving Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, ran this Letter to the Editor on Feb. 12. Maybe the author, Kevin Klersy of Lower Milford Township, Pa., might be on to something.
“Because of all these snowstorms this winter, I believe the laws pertaining to automobile tires should be harsher. I find snow on the ground while driving to work at both of my jobs and to school. During those times, I am more worried about the other drivers hitting me than causing an accident myself. On numerous occasions, I had to put my own car at risk to pass a car that was stuck on a hill.
That is why I feel there needs to be a crackdown on the minimum amount of tire tread. Yes, I know they check tread depth after an accident, but that does no good to me when I have a cracked-up car and need to make it to class and to work.
I think there should be put in place a way for police officers to be able to check the tread depth and give tickets accordingly. It is much cheaper to replace your old worn tires than to pay to fix your wrecked car.”
* * * * * * * *
Sad to hear of the demise of many auto enthusiast magazines. Most were niche pubs that catered to readers with quite specific interests.
According to Folio: magazine, which covers the publishing biz, more enthusiast magazines are teetering, suffering under the weight of major advertising losses as the economy continues to take the starch out of disposable incomes, reducing interest and buying intent in once read hot areas.
Folio: cited AutoWeek, which it said saw ad revenue drop 18% last year; Hot Rod, which was down 15% YoY; and Modified, which is said to be soon folded.
This is not about consumer magazines, it can be said, but rather the changing tastes of consumers.
* * * * * * * *
A big happy birthday to McCreary Tire & Rubber Co., which would have celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014. Once one of America’s brightest tire firms, the Indiana-based firm just didn’t keep pace with evolving technologies. It was melded into what is now Specialty Tires of America.
Back in 1914, Harry McCreary bought a 264-acre farm and a few other neighboring properties, and erected his tire plant. In 1915, it had nine workers in the factory and one in the front office and one salesman, turning out and selling 500 tires.
Total sales in 1915 amounted to just under $50,000.
In 1973, McCreary Tire employed just over 780 people.
Speaking of anniversaries….Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is celebrating its 100th this year. You’ll be hearing more about that later I’m sure.
