Purchase New Tires Without Getting Ripped Off
Every car owner dreads the day he or she has to purchase new tires for the car. No matter how much the shop tells you that they are not up-selling, they are. To avoid being ripped off, do your research and know what to ask for.
Steps
- Do your research weeks in advance and gather ad prices for the tires you want. Be skeptical of the ad prices because you will often be quoted a low-ball price so as to get you in the door, after which there is often and attempt to sell you a more expensive tire instead.
- Put your research to use and negotiate. Most shops will come down on the price of tires. Negotiate the best price. A best practice is to shop for tires days and weeks before you buy. Selective buying may save you $50 to $200 on a set of tires.
- Ask about the trade-in value of your old tires. Only talk about the trade-in value after you feel you have negotiated the best price on the tires you have chosen. Some shops will give a trade-in on your tires if they are in good condition. In turn, they will resell the tires as used. Ask about a trade-in after you have negotiated your best price, but before committing to the sale.
- Get the final price in writing before the work is started. Many stores put have add-on charges for mounting, balancing, road hazard warranty, new valve stems, and tire disposal fees. Make sure to get the total out-the-door price before you approve the work.
Warnings
- Don't wait too long before replacing your tires if you need to. In an emergency situation, you are much more likely to hastily close a deal so to replace the tires and get back on the road. This vulnerability may result in you buying tires that are overpriced.
References
- Hansen, Alan D, (2013), "20 Quick Pit Stops to Avoid Auto-Service Rip-Offs", B00H2NBH0A
