Whats with Les Schwab?

[expat]

Went cross boarder shopping yesterday to pick up 4 Yokohama TRZ's for our VW Golf. After collection I noticed a Les Schwab Tire centre just across the road, and thought I may as well get them installed.
They said they could fit me in in about two hours, and it would cost $152 for mounting and balance of four tires! then, Extra if I want new valve stems! Outrageous or what!
Then I remember a service bill I found in the glove box of my Toyota pickup when I bought it in Washington State a few years back, the PO had evidently had a Les Schwab oil change and tune up, the total was something over $300

including $12.50 each for installing four spark plugs!
They seem a big franchise, but how do they stay in business with prices like that?

 

[postjeeprcr]

People who do not price shop or wait until they really need service and just have to go to a place and pay whatever they are charged.

 

[crw]

Are you sure that's not just the price for mounting and balancing? My local Les Schwab is OK, but I don't go there because their prices are not as good as I can get at "Commercial Tire" down the road.

 

[HTSS_TR]

It costs only $15-16 per tire for mounting and life time balance at Walmart, valve stem included. Almost $40 per tire is too much.

 

[Vizzy]

That definitely sounds a bit much, but I think the average for mounting tires around where I'm at now is 20/tire and a disposal fee of a couple bucks a tire, plus 6% tax, so actually that really isn't outrageous just a bit high.

 

[Steve S]

Les Schwab is definitely one of the highest priced tire stores there is.

 

[Pablo]

That's odd, Les Schwab never used to even mount other tire brands that you carried in.

They are expensive, their products are ho-hum, but I've had excellent service from them.

 

[expat]

I ended up going to Discount Tire in Bellingham. Very good service $20 per tire inc valve stems a lifetime balance.
Tire disposal was another $2.

Are you saying Schwab's only mount the tires they sell you?
Nothing like trying to win a new customer eh!

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: expat
I ended up going to Discount Tire


I don't shop anywhere else for tires!

 

[Pablo]

I know Discount Tire in Bellingham well. Heck I should have told you to go there!

Schwab in Lynden has done right by me, I have no gripes. They have their own market and they do fine.

Sucks in Duvall, I have to go to Monroe for Schwab or Redmond I guess. Need to see where the closest Discount is.

 

[expat]

"They have their own market and they do fine."

I just have to wonder what sort of clientele they appeal to.