Originally Posted By: HWEaton
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
ridiculous. I get the claims that cars can stop better these days, etc., but the lifecycle costs of vehicles are going through the roof due to add-ons like that.
Couple that to a declining standard of living for a vast majority of the public, and I see a trend towards inferior quality replacements, or holding onto balding tires longer.
All of this effects safety too. With all the added power, handling and braking, it is a zero sum game because of all the added incidents due to high-cost parts being tougher for the general public to replace.
You're right. It's ridiculous that someone should expect to make a living selling, installing, and repairing tires for the general public. All those services should be free.
Let's see, by the time you purchase
a balancer ($4,000, because God forbid I don't balance your tires right, so let's go with a mid-line price, and we got to be able to balance your 305/50/20's),
a tire changing machine ($9,000, because God forbid I should have one that will scratch that 20 inch rim, and God forbid I not have them de-mounted and mounted within an hour, while you sit in my waiting room using my wi-fi that I provide free of charge, since I have to have it to conduct business anyways or my cable TV so your kids have something to do instead of screaming at you and tearing my waiting area to [censored].),
a lift, or two ($10,000 to $14,000 because I need to lift your vehicle in a manner that is safe for me and for your ride. Not only to change tires, but to do oil changes and other work for people who cannot/will not do it on their own.)
all the tools and necessities to accomplish this task (wheel weights, weight hammer, hi-speed buffer, scraper, glue, patches, plugs, valve stems, valve stem puller, air chucks, impacts, sockets, etc)
Then I have to pay for the place to perform the service, all the overhead with it, set some of it aside for when that stuff does break, get rid of the waste tires, and then provide for my family.
So, instead of complaining about add-ons, go get yourself a can of starter fluid and a match and do it yourself.
Your reply, frankly, is ridiculous and irrelevant.
My point was the cost of these upsized tires that go onto vehicles. As a tire installer, the fact that this is happening isnt your problem. You would be changing tires whether they are 305/50/20 or 155/75/13.
As I stated, lifecycle vehicle cost is the issue. That is a function of putting all this big, heavy, powerful stuff on that people dont really need. Then they go to get tires, and the replacements cost $1000, which at some point will be a huge percentage of the car's valuation.
As an installer, you've got to do what you've got to do. No gripes against you, it isnt your problem, and frankly, kudos for upgrading equipment to be able to do an ever better job.
But I have a feeling that you would do as great a job on a set of tires that costs $300 as on a set that costs $1000.
And as more and more cars get decked out with this expensive stuff, more and more corners will be cut on the part of consumers who cannot afford the parts. People scrap cars for $1000 in repairs... What about for $1000 in tires?
Try to get the point before flying off the handle.