Tyre fitting companies not wanting to fit your tyres?
Discussion
InitialDave said:
Oponeo and Black Circles will send tyres for you to have fitted yourself, too.
It's very easy to find someone who will.
Not near me it's not.It's very easy to find someone who will.
None of the big chains (Kwik fit, Halfords, etc) will touch customer-supplied tyres now, and we're talking brand new tyres (with labels still on).
The big hole in their argument (that it's for insurance reasons) is that they'll happily repair a old tyre that's on your vehicle (origin unknown) and send you on your way, but they won't fit brand new labelled tyres.
The only independent tyre place near me wouldn't match the Blackcircles price (which, of course is the maximum they would have to buy them for, probably less with them being a retailer). Needless to say, I haven't been back for tyres there since.
I wish they had this attitude:
donkmeister said:
I'm having my wheels refurbed soon. When I went to see the refurb company to book it in I mentioned I'd like to replace the tyres seeing as they'll be off the wheels anyway, and asked if they could give me a price for tyres...
"I suppose I could, but TBH all I'd do is order them online from the same places you could, then I'd add a mark-up. You're better off buying the tyres and bringing them with you when you drop the car off". Honest and to the point, I like that.
"I suppose I could, but TBH all I'd do is order them online from the same places you could, then I'd add a mark-up. You're better off buying the tyres and bringing them with you when you drop the car off". Honest and to the point, I like that.
Anyway, there's now 2 new mobile tyre fitters operating in this area, so situation sorted (for me)
monthefish said:
Not near me it's not.
None of the big chains (Kwik fit, Halfords, etc) will touch customer-supplied tyres now, and we're talking brand new tyres (with labels still on).
But we were discussing getting loose tyres for his wheel refurbisher to fit.None of the big chains (Kwik fit, Halfords, etc) will touch customer-supplied tyres now, and we're talking brand new tyres (with labels still on).
Not finding someone to fit loose tyres.
Since buying tyres online has been a thing, I have never had a local tyre fitter not be able and willing to match the price offered on line. Why go to the trouble of having tyres delivered and then finding a fitter when you can just ring your local tyre shop. And I know you can buy online with fitting included, but again it saves no money. And I know if you just go by published price at a chain there may well be a saving.
I struggle to have sympathy for tyre fitters getting the hump about customers bringing tyres, but I can understand why they get irritated by it - because their opportunity to double dip on profits on the parts AND labour goes away with a savvy customer.
The one that accept that getting paid labour to fit customer supplied tyres is still getting paid, vs potentially standing around, accept that this is the way of things now.
The one that accept that getting paid labour to fit customer supplied tyres is still getting paid, vs potentially standing around, accept that this is the way of things now.
Durzel said:
I struggle to have sympathy for tyre fitters getting the hump about customers bringing tyres, but I can understand why they get irritated by it - because their opportunity to double dip on profits on the parts AND labour goes away with a savvy customer.
The one that accept that getting paid labour to fit customer supplied tyres is still getting paid, vs potentially standing around, accept that this is the way of things now.
10% of something is much better than 100% of nothing. The one that accept that getting paid labour to fit customer supplied tyres is still getting paid, vs potentially standing around, accept that this is the way of things now.
E-bmw said:
donkmeister said:
There's a few, but a lot of the ones who used to sell loose tyres will only sell them with fitting now.
No, I think this is the statement that we are disagreeing with. 
Camskill
Mytyres
Blackcircles
still sell tyres without fitting.
donkmeister - which companies are you referring to?
monthefish said:
Yes, ever since I started buying tyres online (and having them fitted elsewhere) the main companies I have used:
Camskill
Mytyres
Blackcircles
still sell tyres without fitting.
Yes, those ^^^ are the main ones I useCamskill
Mytyres
Blackcircles
still sell tyres without fitting.
It has got harder finding places to fit them so I bought used tyre machine and balancer off ebay but I'm in the car / bike trade, although most of the time it's just for my cars as I like changing wheels and having them in different colours (anthracite, chrome, shadow chrome etc)
Durzel said:
I struggle to have sympathy for tyre fitters getting the hump about customers bringing tyres, but I can understand why they get irritated by it - because their opportunity to double dip on profits on the parts AND labour goes away with a savvy customer.
The one that accept that getting paid labour to fit customer supplied tyres is still getting paid, vs potentially standing around, accept that this is the way of things now.
And the going rate seems to be £15 a tyre at best. The one that accept that getting paid labour to fit customer supplied tyres is still getting paid, vs potentially standing around, accept that this is the way of things now.
So they're pricing themselves at £240 an hour, £180 if they're not bothered about expedience, which doesn't exactly scream waste of their time.
anxious_ant said:
Looking to fit four Michelin CrossClimate SUV 235/50 19" tyres soon and going with Kwik Fit as decent price.
Considering mobile tyre fitting service though for the convenience, but not too sure if it will be the same standard as popping in.
In my experience, only older guys are allowed loose on a van with the mobile service. Kids on apprenticeship/trainees aren't allowed to, so they will be at the fixed garage location. In some ways a van may be better...Considering mobile tyre fitting service though for the convenience, but not too sure if it will be the same standard as popping in.
KTMsm said:
Yes, those ^^^ are the main ones I use
It has got harder finding places to fit them so I bought used tyre machine and balancer off ebay but I'm in the car / bike trade, although most of the time it's just for my cars as I like changing wheels and having them in different colours (anthracite, chrome, shadow chrome etc)
I’ve been contemplating this for ages. I think you could break even pretty quick. You also avoid the ballache of schlepping along to tyre fitting places and waiting an age while they do them. It has got harder finding places to fit them so I bought used tyre machine and balancer off ebay but I'm in the car / bike trade, although most of the time it's just for my cars as I like changing wheels and having them in different colours (anthracite, chrome, shadow chrome etc)
On the subject of motorbike tyres, I’ve always done my own MX tyres but a month or so ago I got some very expert tuition in changing “proper” motorbike tyres, those on my R1. It was actually astonishingly easy as they’re so soft (was a hot day) and just sort of “slurped” on. Just take your time with the tyre levers and rim protectors. It’s not just about saving money, it’s a “life skill” and is so much more convenient.
Dog Star said:
I’ve been contemplating this for ages. I think you could break even pretty quick. You also avoid the ballache of schlepping along to tyre fitting places and waiting an age while they do them.
On the subject of motorbike tyres, I’ve always done my own MX tyres but a month or so ago I got some very expert tuition in changing “proper” motorbike tyres, those on my R1. It was actually astonishingly easy as they’re so soft (was a hot day) and just sort of “slurped” on. Just take your time with the tyre levers and rim protectors. It’s not just about saving money, it’s a “life skill” and is so much more convenient.
I used to bung the Manager of Kwik Fit a few quid and when he moved on, I had 2 sets of wheels I was refurbing - 8 off and 8 on which they then wanted £160 for.On the subject of motorbike tyres, I’ve always done my own MX tyres but a month or so ago I got some very expert tuition in changing “proper” motorbike tyres, those on my R1. It was actually astonishingly easy as they’re so soft (was a hot day) and just sort of “slurped” on. Just take your time with the tyre levers and rim protectors. It’s not just about saving money, it’s a “life skill” and is so much more convenient.
I think I bought the 2 used machines for sub £400 the only real issue is if you have the space
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