tire mounting

[CEO]

People have said this thread shouldn't contain the mark/speeddemon conversation but I don't think that is true.

I think a good result of this thread is that many customers seem to believe shop rates for tire changes are unfair. If you were a shop who knew this and lowered your flat rate tire change prices accordingly, it would appear that you could get more business (IMHO only a lawyer harley rider or an idiot squid would pay someone 100 bucks to change their tires)...

[TheIglu]

I change me own tires now. Why? Because my local shop was charging me almost $100 for two wheels OFF the bike.

I'd consider paying that if I rode in with my cheap interweb tires, they did the tires, then I rode away half an hour later. Not if I have to drop it off, get a ride home, wait a few days, get a ride back there, etc. Bullshit. It's an easy job even when you run into issues compared to most work.

Or sit there and wait while I watch the mechanic shoot the shit with his buddy when I'm hoping for the job to get done soon.

If you want to sell more tires, build the price of mounting into the price. Don't need to stock them. Tell the customer "They will be in on this day, bring your bike in on x day and it will be done while you wait". People hate dropping bikes off. It's a PITA. Done while you wait is the only way. Ask any of the tire changing guys who do it as side work here.

I would pay $60 any day of the week to be able to ride in and get my tires changed while I waited. Wheeler's moto shop in Deal's Gap (well, Robbinsville) does this day in and day out. He has a line most mornings with people waiting to get tires changed. He's quick, kind and helpful. I usually toss him a couple extra bucks or buy some schwag in his store since it is such a useful service. He stocks tires, but they are pricey. No big deal, those tires are for people who don't plan ahead or need one in a pinch/etc.

I'd pay $25 to bring the wheels/tires to a shop to have it done while I wait. Yes, I'm cheap. But these prices I said are what I would do, even now. I own my own tire changer, but the time/hassle is worth more than the prices I mentioned.

Or, even better:

Setup a computer AT your shop. Have a link to a cheap tire website that is reliable right on the desktop. Walk the customer through buying the tires via that (or do it for them) and have the tires shipped right to you. Customer comes in when the tires arrive and you make your money doing the tire change. No "off the bike" rims anymore since you got the customer the best price on the tire and do the work for a reasonable rate with a shit-ton of added value in the form of "drive-in, change, drive-out" convenience. That is worth $75 per bike to me.

And remember, flat rate can have restrictions. If I had a ChickenWing and went in for a tire change, I wouldn't expect to pay the flat rate. Ask what bike it is first, then give the rate. Set expectations for time it'll take and the amount it will be, then stick to it.


Or don't listen to anything I just said because I'm one of them jerks who got so fed up with dealer after dealer after dealer that I bought my own tire changer to use twice a year.

[Speed Demon 828]

I don't think what we charge is unreasonable. We change tires and do oil changes "while u wait" always have always will.

I appreciate all the insight you guys have on the motorcycle tire changing business. I really do. But what we do here works for us.

[GixerJockey]

Mark, good chatting with you and everyone else. I gotta punch out for the night. But I invite you and everyone else to come down and check out our shop. As my favorite vendor says (I'm sure he's reading this thread) we're the #1 shop on Blue Hills ave. So stop in and say hi.

Later,

Who's your favorite vendor?

[union]

Pretty easy to tell who has ran a business here and who hasnt. There is a lot more to the cost of mounting tires then the few minutes spent putting them on the wheel. There is a ton of overhead including paying the tech, insurance, rent, bikes sitting in the show room, stock on the racks. A good business factors all this into the costs they put out so they can pay the bills.

IMO if you feel a price at a certain shop is too high then go somewhere else. Its what I do. There are a few shops Ill never buy from because I feel what they charge for what Im looking for is too much. There are other shops that Ill be a repeat customer over and over.

[PPS26]

im just looking to be competative, not charge to much and not lose money either, sounds like based on what some of u have said im in the ball park, sounds like some of you have been f`d over by a dealer or 2 in the past and you will no longer go to them for things like this, im trying to win back the people who have been f`d over and give them a good price that everyone wins