Should I go Elsewhere? - The importance of quality service?

Crazy Dazz · 03-08-2014, 10:54 PM

I have always found that the quality and value of service is directly related to the expertise of the people running the place.
(But, at the end of the day I will still buy my groceries from Woollies, and Oil from SCA not withstanding that they appear to be run by poorly trained Gibbons.)

I need to buy a set of tyres (and presumably one retailer is as good as another.) But they they need to be fitted, balanced, and aligned, and my steering etc checked, all without damaging my car.
I'm also "open" to advice on tyre choice, except where they have already demonstrated cluelessness.

My choice of tyres is not at issue here (covered elsewhere.)
I contacted my local BJ's (as they are the main retailers) and ask for a price.
Rather than quote me on what I asked for, he recommend a tyre SMALLER than the standards I've got, (strike 1) and that doesn't meet the load requirements of a Territory (strike 2?)
He then went on to tell me that they weren't in stock, but I could pay now to secure the discount and wait till they came.
So I went back to him and again asked for a quote on the tyres I wanted.
There are two tyres of "similar" names. Ones is for large saloons, the other is for SUVs, designed to resist cornering forces in cars with high CoGs. Naturally the latter is what I have asked for, but once again he's ignored me and quoted on the Saloon tyre.

I always try to support local small business, but I'm struggling here.

Itsme · 03-08-2014, 11:09 PM

Typical salesman, he wants to sell you something for greater profit.
Take your business elsewhere!

XR8putts · 03-08-2014, 11:15 PM

Take your business elsewhere and be sure to inform the owner of the business why you're going elsewhere.

Adamz Ghia · 04-08-2014, 12:14 AM

Go elsewhere. I took my Fairmont Ghia to get Dunlop SP3000A's put on. Got the quote all good, went over the road for a coffee, got back and they'd put some Goodyear things on it. When I asked what the hell they said the Dunlops weren't suitable for my car and the ones they put on were correct. Wasted a whole afternoon waiting for them to take them off and put the ones I wanted on. I've never been back to that place. I'm happy to pay a little more if I have to if it means getting better service...

Crazy Dazz · 04-08-2014, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puts99

Take your business elsewhere and be sure to inform the owner of the business why you're going elsewhere.

Oh, that's the worst part, its the owner (franchisee) I'm dealing with.

ebv8 · 04-08-2014, 08:33 AM

i just had tyre fitted to my rims and they didn't use new valves and didn't balance them and charge me more than last time i went there
rather than complain and waste my time going back there i will be moving on.

mik · 04-08-2014, 08:40 AM

I bought tyres a couple of sets ago from one of the bigger local tyre retailers, he was actually a bit cheaper on price, but I wasn't happy with service, so I tried another tyre service, the second one was a tad more expensive, but. ..... I liked the way they treated the car,
the place had an older fella running the show and was very professional in his work,
I also had a tyre repaired at the second place, it was done the way I wanted no fuss, no questions asked, I go to this bloke all the time now and I'm happy to pay a bit extra.
So I would say if your not happy take your business elsewhere.

Franco Cozzo · 04-08-2014, 10:51 AM

Best way to do it is source your own tyres and take the car to a tyre joint to strip and fit, plus do all the usual things like balance, alignment etc.

I sourced some Continental tyres for the Focus then took them down to my trusted tyre joint, they've got a young crew but they do a really good wheel alignment, car always steers bang on straight even though they don't have the electronic computer wheel aligner stuff, they've got some old school looking thing.

Last time I did that the owner was saying that he had 8 customers in the same day take tyres there rather than buy through the shop.

We've got a tyre sponsor on AFF, I believe they're "The Wheel Deal", I've dealt with them before, got me a set of Kuhmo KU31s for the Fiesta and a set of LT 13" tyres for my trailer.

Itsme · 04-08-2014, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Oh, that's the worst part, its the owner (franchisee) I'm dealing with.

Even better, let him know why you are taking your business elsewhere!!!

tut0r · 04-08-2014, 12:15 PM

Just wait till they start asking if you want nitrogen in your tyres.....

hedgehobb · 04-08-2014, 12:18 PM

Costco put nitrogen in the customers tyres.

Batmobile · 04-08-2014, 01:33 PM

Service - good or bad , will always be recalled - yet price , always forgotten. Make good service always a priority . Done find it - move on

Mr Brooksy · 04-08-2014, 01:58 PM

Personally, I will pay more for someone who listens to my desires and needs and takes the time to be interested in chatting a little.

If you feel like a $ sign to someone, move on and tell your friends. I'm sick to death of being treated like rubbish, so why would I want my friends/family to be treated the same way?

Go to another suburb (your location says northern Perth) and support another semi local...

Nova 8 · 04-08-2014, 06:31 PM

If you got mates who are into cars find out where they go, I've got a bunch of people who all use my name as the person who recommended them, if one gets totally screwed we all go else where. The guy treats my family and mates with total professionalism and always does a great job at a fair price, in return he gets customers fed his way (30+ customers and 40+ cars)

Windsor220 · 04-08-2014, 07:26 PM

I've found tyre places are like that. They even do it to us mechanics when we ask for things.

**GasoLane** · 04-08-2014, 08:52 PM

Did you try other Tyre dealers in the area? There must be more than just BJ there.

As for supporting locals, other dealers would be franchises as well wouldn't they?

Oh, and you get Tyres at a Tyre shop. For wheel alignment got to a specialist.

ashebxr8 · 04-08-2014, 11:12 PM

If you want good service and tyres try Integrity tyres in Wangara. Been going there for about five years now. Always cheaper, have all the tyre brands and treat the car well. I don't even bother trying anyone else.

Crazy Dazz · 07-08-2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Did you try other Tyre dealers in the area? There must be more than just BJ there.

As for supporting locals, other dealers would be franchises as well wouldn't they?

Fortunately I'm almost equidistant from TWO BJ's.
I don't like being one of those jerks who sends multiple enquiries and then doesn't follow through, but in the end I gave up on this guy. Went to Joondalup instead.
They were "concerned" that the wider/larger tyres might be a problem, but agrred they would look better and instead of carrying on, they test fitted the first one on the front and checked clearances all round. Happy with the result.

Crazy Dazz · 07-08-2014, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashebxr8

If you want good service and tyres try Integrity tyres in Wangara. Been going there for about five years now. Always cheaper, have all the tyre brands and treat the car well. I don't even bother trying anyone else.

I will keep them in mind for future, but on this occasion they didn't stock Yokos, and couldn't get the 4 for 3 deal.