Focus on the ‘Why,’ Not the ‘What’
"Changing the basic retail tire buying experience" is the hot topic right now. It’s been the underlying thread of every dealer meeting I’ve attended over the past year, and it will doubtlessly be the theme of many more in the near future. And it should. Between 1997 and 1999, tire retail customer satisfaction, measured by
Customer Pays with Cheap Stems
The consumer media has given a great deal of ink and air-time recently to the issue of tire safety and the various factors that can cause a tire to fail. But one item most of these reports have not touched upon is the valve stem Think about it. The valve stem is what keeps the
It Takes a Thief: One in Three Steal -Detecting and Preventing Employee Theft
It Takes a Thief One in Three Steal –Detecting and Preventing Employee Theft One of three workers steals from an employer and such sleight-of-hand costs businesses more than $50 billion a year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Don’t think it’s a problem in the tire biz? Just last month an ex-store manager for
Is Wider Better?: Michelin Leads Super Wide Charge in North America
Is Wider Better? Michelin Leads Super Wide Charge in North America With the introduction of a new breed of radial truck tires in North America, dual fitments on line haul fleets may become a thing of the past.Best described as “super wide” tires – not to be confused with bulky conventional-sized wide base tires commonly
Dealer Diary: Selling Yourself
Selling Yourself By Craig Gifford For the past two years, Tire Review has brought you Dealer Diary, a monthly series that focuses on typical tire dealers and the ins and outs of their business.Dave Schardt, president of The Wheel Source in Dayton, Ohio, has made custom wheels his primary focus, through both a retail store
Comp/Tech: Keep Your Face Out There
With the speed and freedom afforded by e-mail and Web sites, your employees may become isolated, focusing on the technology instead of the humans on the other end. And your customers may know you only through a Web address or periodic e-mails. Technology has changed the way we do business, but nothing happens in business
Management: This Space for Rent
There is an age-old question for tire dealers to consider: Do I buy or lease? That question extends down from the building itself to the equipment inside. But it’s the building itself that costs the most all around. Tire dealers need room. But should they buy or lease a structure? Sometimes a situation dictates what
Dealer Diary: User-Friendly
User-Friendly For the past two years, Tire Review has brought you Dealer Diary, a monthly series that focuses on typical tire dealers and the ins and outs of their business.This year, we’re excited to be profiling a unique and well-known dealer – and someone whose primary focus is customer service – Barry Steinberg, owner of
And To All, A Good Night
I have a fistful of ideas on bits of paper, but no BIG IDEA for this month. So, ala Larry King, and in an attempt to clear my desk of those bits of paper, here are some random thoughts to close the year: As we all embark on much needed consumer education about tire
No Typical Dealer: College Plan Leads Dayton’s Schardt to Success
No Typical Dealer Diary ProfileDave Schardt, OwnerThe Wheel SourceLocation: Dayton, OhioYears in Operations: 10No. of Bays: 3No. of Techs: 2 mechanics and 2-4 tire changersTire Brands Carried: Yokohama, Toyo, VogueAverage Jobs/Week: 40-50 wheel/tire jobs,10-20 service jobsRetail/Wholesale: 40-50%Other: Non-Tire Services: Springs, shocks, brakes, performance exhaust, superchargers, bolt-on horsepower items, NOS installation and refills, alignments, oil changes,