Tyres - Another case of Rip of Britain

[seandudding]

Ok so I'm searching around trying to do a deal on 10 sets of tyres for the GT3's. Either want the track spec Corsa or the Cups.

As there are basically 2 suppliers in the UK no body would do a deal. Europe appears to be the same. (Circa 1k a set)

So I get onto Mario at Tirerack in the US. On their site they appear to costs £430 a set, cool. Bummer is they will only ship by air, thus bringing them up to £830 a set, plus VAT.

Anyone know of another source, there has to be a way of getting a discount on these tyres. How can you pay approx half the price for a tyre in the US when they are made in Europe.

Cheers Sean

[AlexHancock]

I guess the only way would be to buy from the US in bulk and ship in a container. You've need to find out the quantity required to make the shipping cheap per set and then get enough GT3 owners to join in to cover the whole shipment. There are a few of us here and on the other forums so it might not be too hard. Anyone know how much a container would be and how many tyres (or tires) would fit in?

[silver993tt]

Well, the price of a 997S (with no options) in the US is $79,100 (on the Porsche USA site). This is £44,000.
In the UK it is £65,000 - a difference of 32%

Everything is cheaper there, UK is rip-off capital of the world.

[Guy Humpage]

Regarding the 'only shipping by air' part, search out PHer Eric the Brave via the Corvette forum, he has a business which offers discount shipping of car parts from the states.

[diver944]

Do you (or any other PHer) know anyone trustworthy in the States who could buy them from Tirerack on your behalf and then UPS or FEDEX them to you?

edit - just spotted Guys idea - even better

You could also use the opportunity to tell Mario at Tirerack he has spelt his companay name incorrectly

>> Edited by diver944 on Tuesday 12th October 16:32

[silver993tt]

You might well be liable for import duty since they're not coming from the EU. Something to consider.

[GuyR]

Shipping seems expensive.

I bought 2 complete sets of GT2 wheels and tires from the US and it only cost me £350 to have these air-shipped from LA to my house, including customs clearance and freight-forwarding to my home.

Don't forget to add the 17.5% VAT and 10% (?) duty to all the US prices, you will have to pay these before the forwarder will release the goods.

>> Edited by GuyR on Tuesday 12th October 16:55

[cyrus1971]

most stevedores will ship a 1/2 container anywhere in the world (port to port) for circa £650 excluding insurance

[adl]

Have you tried micheldever tyres near winchester?
www.micheldever.co.uk/

They can normally get most things and at a good price.

[captain kaos]

If a bulk buy were to happen you can count me in. Anything to beat the suppliers who rip us off. Even if we save just £50 on a set, I'd rather have it than the UK suppliers.

[peterpeter]

sean, did you have any luck with this idea,

Ive just posted another thread on this topic....