no appointment needed

One of the major advantages of today’s discount tire stores and auto repair service centers over your dealership’s service department is that no appointments are necessary. In reality, routine maintenance at your dealer’s service department is usually scheduled on his convenience, It is not yours. And while you may be able to quickly schedule an appointment over the phone or even online, you can also drive miles to get the job done. For example, in doing some research for this article, I found that my favorite tire discount store has fifteen different stores conveniently located within ten miles of my home. The dealership where I purchased my SUV is also within that ten mile area. However, the dealership where we purchased my wife’s German import is over 20 miles away.

service while you wait

The service while you wait is another major plus. While most discount tire stores, auto repair service centers, and dealership service departments now complete a multi-point inspection of your vehicle before it leaves the shop, unexpected repairs that are necessary but Necessary repairs done at the dealership can take much longer. This is because the service area or equipment needed to perform the repair may already be reserved well in advance. At many dealerships, it is not unusual to see a number of vehicles waiting outside overnight, waiting for necessary repairs. At most discount tire stores and auto repair service centers, your vehicle doesn’t leave the shop before a service advisor reviews the multi-point inspection with you and provides you with an estimate of how quickly which any necessary service or repair can be completed. In addition, service technicians also use state-of-the-art technology and equipment to ensure that your vehicle receives the correct service.

Selection

By definition, the focus of your dealership’s service department is Service, not tires. So it’s probably not the best place to go when you need quality replacement tires at a competitive price. Most discount tire stores offer an incredible selection of name brand tires at surprisingly competitive prices. Some also offer websites that allow you to select a tire by brand, size, or price, view a photo of the tire and tread pattern, and also describe the full range of automotive services offered at that location. During a recent web shop on a store site, I was offered a choice of ten different tires from eight different manufacturers, at prices ranging from $80 to $202 per tire. Plus, if the tires you need aren’t in stock, you can easily get them in less than an hour at another nearby store or conveniently located distribution center.

Tire Coupons to Save Money

Some car dealerships offer online coupons for routine maintenance like oil and lube. However, I found a variety of money-saving coupons posted on virtually every discount tire website and auto service center I visited. They included coupons for tires, routine maintenance, wheel alignment, shocks and struts, brake service, and battery check. Coupons can significantly reduce your annual operating cost, especially if you own multiple vehicles or have neglected routine maintenance due to the higher cost of having it done at a dealership or service station in your neighborhood.

Professionalism

Most discount tire stores and auto service centers also have highly trained service advisors and ASE certified experts and technicians. Their professionalism, in my opinion, rivals the high level you’ll find in most dealership service departments. Many service advisors participate in training seminars and workshops, so they are fully prepared to help you select the best tire for your specific vehicle. Many service technicians also participate in annual certification training and training workshops in areas such as wheel alignment, battery and brake service, steering and suspension systems, air conditioning systems, and other vehicle systems.

So your dealership may be the best place to look for a great deal on a new car, truck, or crossover. Your local neighborhood gas station may be a convenient place to stop for a late-night snack. However, if you’re looking for quality replacement tires at a competitive price and don’t need a service appointment while you wait, your local tire dealer or auto service center is the place to go.