Using Black Circles - screwing your local out of ££?
Discussion
Does using the 'fitted price' for Black Circles screw the place you're using for the fitting out of ££? In an ideal world would they rather you called them up and they sourced the tyres etc and fitted them? Or does it make no difference?
I guess I'm asking because worst case scenario I wonder if the garage in question wouldn't take quite so much care with your car/wheels if they weren't really a fan of fitting Black Circles customers....?
Hopefully this isn't a thing and I'm being overly paranoid about my wheels haha.
I guess I'm asking because worst case scenario I wonder if the garage in question wouldn't take quite so much care with your car/wheels if they weren't really a fan of fitting Black Circles customers....?
Hopefully this isn't a thing and I'm being overly paranoid about my wheels haha.
No one is forcing the tyre fitting place to be affiliated with Black Circles.
It's a business decision - either it's commercially viable for them or it isn't.
(As an aside, the worst tyre fitting experience (damaged wheels) I've had have been when dealing direct with the tyre fitters. Via Black Cirlces has always been OK)
It's a business decision - either it's commercially viable for them or it isn't.
(As an aside, the worst tyre fitting experience (damaged wheels) I've had have been when dealing direct with the tyre fitters. Via Black Cirlces has always been OK)
Xenoous said:
Probably being overly paranoid, but yes, they would of course prefer you go to them directly... Likely a few more ££ but you're paying a family business, not a big corporate.
As for big national garages, who cares. Use Black circles all you like.
Ok yeah kind of what I thought.....there is a place near to me (not sure they actually show up on the Black Circles list anyway) that I was thinking I might call up, but obviously if they're a LOT more ££, it's not so appealing. As for big national garages, who cares. Use Black circles all you like.
Puddenchucker said:
No one is forcing the tyre fitting place to be affiliated with Black Circles.
It's a business decision - either it's commercially viable for them or it isn't.
(As an aside, the worst tyre fitting experience (damaged wheels) I've had have been when dealing direct with the tyre fitters. Via Black Cirlces has always been OK)
Good to know, I guess in this day and age going with the most cost effective option is always going to appeal the most. It's a business decision - either it's commercially viable for them or it isn't.
(As an aside, the worst tyre fitting experience (damaged wheels) I've had have been when dealing direct with the tyre fitters. Via Black Cirlces has always been OK)
milfordkong said:
My local independent fitter mentioned checking direct with them the next time (during a Black Circles fitting) and they were actually cheaper. Not as convenient as you have to call them up but i've gone direct to them ever since.
Good point, that would certainly be a bonus! I generally purchase through Blackcircles or ASDA tyres and have never had an issue with any of their fitters. I believe the arrangement is that they get a fixed price for each tyre fitted depending on size.
I'm always upfront with the tyre fitters that I am super paranoid about any damage and let them know there's a £50 tip at the end of it. It definitely makes them extra careful!
I'm always upfront with the tyre fitters that I am super paranoid about any damage and let them know there's a £50 tip at the end of it. It definitely makes them extra careful!
I've never had an issue using the local fitter via Black Circles.
As mentioned above, if it wasn't viable they would't be a partner. Asda Tyres prices are good but their nearest fitter is a bit crap - the wheel balancing was miles out when I had it redone.
Recently, I found a regional chain more competitive than both and they did a really good job fitting.
As mentioned above, if it wasn't viable they would't be a partner. Asda Tyres prices are good but their nearest fitter is a bit crap - the wheel balancing was miles out when I had it redone.
Recently, I found a regional chain more competitive than both and they did a really good job fitting.
BC always come up slightly cheaper for supply, I still use my local independent have done for years, they price everything required when fitting new tyres, the nationals I've used in the past just don't seem to care that much and I got fed up of being told I had numerous issues with brakes, exhausts etc (upselling always) My LI family run business and they have always given me excellent service, so yes I choose to give my ££ to them.
UTH said:
milfordkong said:
My local independent fitter mentioned checking direct with them the next time (during a Black Circles fitting) and they were actually cheaper. Not as convenient as you have to call them up but i've gone direct to them ever since.
Good point, that would certainly be a bonus! Had two new tyres last week via ASDA and fitted by the tyre place I usually use with no issues.It worked out a good bit cheaper although the tyre place did try to upsell me a full wheel alignment.
They also told another customer while I was there that he needed new brake pads and discs, and he only went in for a puncture repair.
They also told another customer while I was there that he needed new brake pads and discs, and he only went in for a puncture repair.
PhilTyson said:
I generally purchase through Blackcircles or ASDA tyres and have never had an issue with any of their fitters. I believe the arrangement is that they get a fixed price for each tyre fitted depending on size.
I'm always upfront with the tyre fitters that I am super paranoid about any damage and let them know there's a £50 tip at the end of it. It definitely makes them extra careful!
£50!I'm always upfront with the tyre fitters that I am super paranoid about any damage and let them know there's a £50 tip at the end of it. It definitely makes them extra careful!
I gave my most recent guy a tenner and he said it was the largest tip he'd ever received.
budgie smuggler said:
£50!
I gave my most recent guy a tenner and he said it was the largest tip he'd ever received.
When I'm paying almost £1200 for a set of tyres it's a small price to pay for that extra piece of mind. It's always been a f**king nightmare in the past when a wheel has been damaged so I figure it saves me time and money in the long run.I gave my most recent guy a tenner and he said it was the largest tip he'd ever received.
Until they shut our local one, I have mainly been using National Tyres of late.
Their website is a big flakey (made for a huge multinational backed by Halfords) but the price and service had been good.
Used both Blackcircles and myTyres both delivered and fitted, also works.
Another option is Camskills.
Their website is a big flakey (made for a huge multinational backed by Halfords) but the price and service had been good.
Used both Blackcircles and myTyres both delivered and fitted, also works.
Another option is Camskills.
We are Black Circle fitters, not only can we normally beat the price in house but also slightly begrudge the low fitment price.
We are thinking of stopping with them as most of our customers are local and would use us anyway!
Our mechanics and fitters could be used in a more cost effective way doing other jobs.
We are thinking of stopping with them as most of our customers are local and would use us anyway!
Our mechanics and fitters could be used in a more cost effective way doing other jobs.
milfordkong said:
My local independent fitter mentioned checking direct with them the next time (during a Black Circles fitting) and they were actually cheaper. Not as convenient as you have to call them up but i've gone direct to them ever since.
I had something similar, and after I'd phoned around a few local ones to get some prices one of them offered to more or less match the BlackCircles price (4 x tyres+fitting) at around the £900 mark.It was only as I went to pay, and the price was different to what was quoted as they'd quoted ex-VAT. Had to have a little discussion around either keeping the price they quoted (which as a retail customer should have included VAT) or to remove them and refit the old tyres (which they wouldn't of course because they now claimed they were not roadworthy).
Never been back to that place again, and found one that are happy to fit tyres I've sourced elsewhere.
mmm-five said:
It was only as I went to pay, and the price was different to what was quoted as they'd quoted ex-VAT.
Ouch!But I have had this once.
Local garage I use for servicing and MOTs highlighted one of my tyres had damage I wasn't aware of and (as I already knew) both where getting low. They got within about £15-20 of National Tyres for a pair, so as I was away for the week and it made my life easier, happy days. Then found out it was ex-VAT when I came to pay!
They have always been fairly good with me, so I let it slide this time for the sake of £40 but I did have a fairly serious 'joke' with the proprotors son that next time, I could book it at National (which was just five doors down the road, you can literately see from their carpark) and we could whack the £50 saving between us!
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