Do most tyre suppliers know anything about tyres?
Discussion
It may be a local phenomenon but when I go trying to support local tyre businesses, it always seems to me they don't really know anything about the tyres they sell.
AS an example, I have been trying to hunt down a set of Sportmaxx RTs which get glowing reviews but all I can get from suppliers is a sort of grunt and "Sportmaxx". Asked if they are the Sportmaxx TT, GT or RT or plain old Sportmaxx, they go quiet. Same with other tyres "I can do you a set of Falkens" - "Which ones?" - "Er...".
Shame really as if I could rely on them having the tyre I want, I'd be down there like a shot. I know I could order and get some delivered but I always feel cheeky asking local places to fit other people's tyres.
I even got a good quote once on Continentl Sport Contacts once and what I eventually got was Sport Contact 1s which were rubbish.
Granted the sizes I need are unusual but it really shouldn't be this hard getting tyres.
AS an example, I have been trying to hunt down a set of Sportmaxx RTs which get glowing reviews but all I can get from suppliers is a sort of grunt and "Sportmaxx". Asked if they are the Sportmaxx TT, GT or RT or plain old Sportmaxx, they go quiet. Same with other tyres "I can do you a set of Falkens" - "Which ones?" - "Er...".
Shame really as if I could rely on them having the tyre I want, I'd be down there like a shot. I know I could order and get some delivered but I always feel cheeky asking local places to fit other people's tyres.
I even got a good quote once on Continentl Sport Contacts once and what I eventually got was Sport Contact 1s which were rubbish.
Granted the sizes I need are unusual but it really shouldn't be this hard getting tyres.
Yep, always find a small company where you can speak to the organ grinder who generally knows his onions. I use clickontyres.com where the main man, Damien, really knows his stuff and is more than happy to help. Also helps he's about 3 miles away from me for an even more personal service
When I got a flat (and drove on it long enough to chord the inside 
) I went to a tyre house. I was asking about the replacement tyre and he said its exactly the same as your current one. So I said "Oh you've got a falken 452 in stock?" he replied with "No, but its budget just like yours" I now have an arrowspeed on my rear right ffs.
) I went to a tyre house. I was asking about the replacement tyre and he said its exactly the same as your current one. So I said "Oh you've got a falken 452 in stock?" he replied with "No, but its budget just like yours" I now have an arrowspeed on my rear right ffs.When I was looking to get some new tyres on my old Porsche the guy recomended some Wan-kai Ditchfinders tyres from the Shi-ty tyre company. "The're really popular, all the taxi drivers use them". Hmmm, went for some Yokohamhas instead. The trouble is most people don't know or care about tyres. They are black and round and cost different amounts. A tyre company sells two types of tyre, budget and premium. They lump the Wan-kai Ditchfinders in the same bracket as Falkens because they aren't mega expensive. They have no idea about the quality of the tyre only the price.
markCSC said:
When I was looking to get some new tyres on my old Porsche the guy recomended some Wan-kai Ditchfinders tyres from the Shi-ty tyre company. "The're really popular, all the taxi drivers use them". Hmmm, went for some Yokohamhas instead. The trouble is most people don't know or care about tyres. They are black and round and cost different amounts. A tyre company sells two types of tyre, budget and premium. They lump the Wan-kai Ditchfinders in the same bracket as Falkens because they aren't mega expensive. They have no idea about the quality of the tyre only the price.
To be fair, did you actually bother to research into the Wan-kai tyres, or are you just assuming their rubbish because of their name? For all I know, they might be just as good as the Falkens. I've used Event Tyres ( http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/ ) for years. Nationwide mobile tyre fitting service, they come to you.
Technicians are always knowledgeable, give sound advice on new purchases and what's best for your particular car, check your old tyres for defects or wear patterns and advise on any issues your car may have as a result, such as tracking or off-camber.
Prices seem competitive too.
Recommended.
Technicians are always knowledgeable, give sound advice on new purchases and what's best for your particular car, check your old tyres for defects or wear patterns and advise on any issues your car may have as a result, such as tracking or off-camber.
Prices seem competitive too.
Recommended.
kambites said:
To be fair, did you actually bother to research into the Wan-kai tyres, or are you just assuming their rubbish because of their name? For all I know, they might be just as good as the Falkens.
I do hope you are not serious. 
Wan-Kai?? Shi-ty?? I can't actually remember what the actual brand was called.The clincher for me though was the guy said the taxi drivers get 100,000 from a set. They'll be grippy then
I have tried to support the local tyre businesses but I get what the OP has described, they don't really know their stuff, they certainly aren't PH'ers
After asking for what I wanted from internet reviews, they made promise after promise they'd get them in.
I gave up, and in a rush I went to Kwik Fit, terrible I know, the last time I used them was in 1993!
I was pleasantly supplied, the manager carried the second set of wheels to my car for me, asked what pressure I'd be running in the tyres, the fitter took his time, careful not to mark these newly refurbished wheels and applied copper grease to the hubs so they wouldn't stick on next time.
I was amazed I was actually at kiwk fit, and really disappointed by the local tyre places I had tried to use first.
After asking for what I wanted from internet reviews, they made promise after promise they'd get them in.
I gave up, and in a rush I went to Kwik Fit, terrible I know, the last time I used them was in 1993!
I was pleasantly supplied, the manager carried the second set of wheels to my car for me, asked what pressure I'd be running in the tyres, the fitter took his time, careful not to mark these newly refurbished wheels and applied copper grease to the hubs so they wouldn't stick on next time.
I was amazed I was actually at kiwk fit, and really disappointed by the local tyre places I had tried to use first.
I usually buy my own tyres for Camskill/black circles etc and then get my local tyre shop to fit them for me. Most of the time I use the same fitted to remove/refit tyres on wheels that I refurb so they see a fair bit of business from me.
That said it is amazing how rough some tyre fitters can be and I've had a couple of occasions where freshly refurbed wheels have been marked/chipped/scratched or in one case the screw in BBS centre cap smashed by a tyre fitter who thought they push in :-(
That said it is amazing how rough some tyre fitters can be and I've had a couple of occasions where freshly refurbed wheels have been marked/chipped/scratched or in one case the screw in BBS centre cap smashed by a tyre fitter who thought they push in :-(
As i said in your thread in the south wales section, i went to Valley Tyres, Pontypridd, yesterday and had the sportmaxx RTs fitted, he didnt know they were out, but he phoned his dunlop supplier on monday and had them ready for me tuesday, i paid £115 each in 215 55 16 for a mondeo.
chrislusty said:
As i said in your thread in the south wales section, i went to Valley Tyres, Pontypridd, yesterday and had the sportmaxx RTs fitted, he didnt know they were out, but he phoned his dunlop supplier on monday and had them ready for me tuesday, i paid £115 each in 215 55 16 for a mondeo.
Beats the response when I asked one supplier about RTs - "Just says Sportmaxx"I have found one who has been very helpful but when I comiited said he couldn't get the size until the end of August so I have an extant enquiry waiting to come in and will then try Valley Tyres if they can't help. In fairness, the size appears to be the issue.
My local independent is very good,
I changed the wheels on the Jeep for some startec 17's and wanted A/T's on them.
Popped down, straight away he said if you want A/T's at 255/55 17 then its either BFG or General Grabbers.
There was marginal difference in price, but the GG AT's were a new replacement for the AT2 and he said just read the reviews on them. brilliant tyre.
so they went on and have been exceptional in all weather including some decent mud.
So he is one fitter that knows he stuff and even checks out reviews from users.
I changed the wheels on the Jeep for some startec 17's and wanted A/T's on them.
Popped down, straight away he said if you want A/T's at 255/55 17 then its either BFG or General Grabbers.
There was marginal difference in price, but the GG AT's were a new replacement for the AT2 and he said just read the reviews on them. brilliant tyre.
so they went on and have been exceptional in all weather including some decent mud.
So he is one fitter that knows he stuff and even checks out reviews from users.
For my own cars i've always sourced the tyres myself online. Thankfully the guy who works on my cars can fit/balance then so i don't have to go to the usual outlets.
The last time i dealt with one of the named tyre places was when i ended up having to get 2 new tyres after my mum's MG ZR suffered a non repairable puncture. The guy there was determined to flog her the cheapo ditchfinders on the basis of "those MG's aren't worth much so no point in you paying loads for tyres".
Yes maybe you're right, the car isn't worth much, but i'd still rather fit a decent set of tyres than some ditchfinder s
t.
The last time i dealt with one of the named tyre places was when i ended up having to get 2 new tyres after my mum's MG ZR suffered a non repairable puncture. The guy there was determined to flog her the cheapo ditchfinders on the basis of "those MG's aren't worth much so no point in you paying loads for tyres".
Yes maybe you're right, the car isn't worth much, but i'd still rather fit a decent set of tyres than some ditchfinder s
t.Although my local tyre place are not that bad, plus it is possible to have a sensible conversation with them, they are somewhat restricted by their suppliers as to what brands they can supply at competitive prices. Therefore having decided what tyres I would like, I always give them a chance to quote for the product I wan, and also give them the opportunity to quote for what they would recommend / can easily supply.
They know that if they are in with a shout, i.e. they don't have to price match but somewhere within 10% with a suitable product they will get the business.
Therefore when they aren't, and mostly they aren't able, then there is no problem with me rocking up with a set purchased from wherever and they fit them at a reasonable price per corner.
Like another poster, I've been forced with job cars to use Kwik-Fit and they really do seem to have cleaned their act up.
They know that if they are in with a shout, i.e. they don't have to price match but somewhere within 10% with a suitable product they will get the business.
Therefore when they aren't, and mostly they aren't able, then there is no problem with me rocking up with a set purchased from wherever and they fit them at a reasonable price per corner.
Like another poster, I've been forced with job cars to use Kwik-Fit and they really do seem to have cleaned their act up.
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