Les Schwab?

[Dhoey07]

Curious to know what the high labor rate is at Costco. They only install tires and batteries right? What labor do they charge to mount and balance a set of 4 tires? Anybody?

We got tires from the two winters ago, I'll see what I can dig up

[pianoman9701]

I just needed to get my Michelin Tundra tires rotated. I bought the truck used and have no idea where the previous owner bought them. Took them to Discount and they rotated them for free because of my past business with them. Balanced, too, no charge.

[Stein]

Curious to know what the high labor rate is at Costco. They only install tires and batteries right? What labor do they charge to mount and balance a set of 4 tires? Anybody?

We got tires from the two winters ago, I'll see what I can dig up

Costco's price is $14 a tire for mounting and balancing if you buy from them, I don't know if they will mount tires bought elsewhere.

Discount mounted mine for $5 each and I think he mentioned that balancing was $19 or something like that. 

Scwhab's online price for balancing is $15.99 plus whatever they decide to charge for mounting, I was quoted both $8 and $35 each.

[syoungs]

Costco has a high labor rate and they also treat their customers extremely well.  My point was that the LS near me only wants to deal with people if they can be ripped off.  Let's be honest, charging a rate over $400/hr for a tire changer is a ripoff.  Being dishonest to make a sale is a ripoff.

There is no way to justify dishonest behavior.  If they wanted to charge $30 since I didn't buy the tires from them, I would have done it, but a $70 bait and switch by making up some lame excuse about $0.50 valve stems after I was quoted $16 is not honest.  Be a man and tell me they don't want to mount internet tires, don't lie about valve stems.  Don't lie about what needs replacing and don't hold people's vehicles hostage by refusing to put them back together and blame "federal regulations."

I feel sorry for people that don't know much about vehicles and go in there trusting what they say.

I had a semi-poor experience at Costco, but it was due to a green employee and the manager made it more than right and was honest about what happened and apologized.  Same at Discount, they aren't 100% perfect, but I get honest answers.  With LS, all I get is the opposite, complete dishonesty.  People make mistakes, I don't expect perfection but I do expect to be treated with some level of professionalism and respect.

The labor cost issue is what’s driving these companies to poor service.  They are dying due to the internet and they see the cost of great customer service as a burden instead of a blessing. These managers are responsible for their respective revenue goals, and are hurting. It not only hurts the company, but their own wage as well.   It’s terrible to see  a once great company turn to these tactics for profits,  although I doubt it’s company wide.

Find a local service center and tell them what your expectations of service are.  That’s what we’ve done. We have an awesome relationship because of it. Win Win.

FWIW.  Costco has a very small overhead burden,  A totally different and unique business model from LS’s.

My wife worked at Costco for several years. She worked in the office for a while. The Costco tire shop is not meant to be a revenue generator. I was told it is a member service and if it breaks even they are happy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I can totally believe that!
I was in the new Costco here in OKC. They had BFG AT KOs for $188 each.
Not sure how they can be profitable, but I may take advantage of that, lol

They probably buy tires by the million and get a massive quantity discount. 

A lot of people don’t know Ford has a low tire price guarantee. Bring in an estimate from a brick and mortar tire store and we’ll beat it. That includes Costco. That doesn’t include Tire Rack or the like. I’d do those BFG’s for $187 a piece if you brought me something in writing.

is the guarantee for stock sizes only? I run a 35x12.50r20 on my f350, and would use the dealership to do the work if they would match the prices on that size tire.

[Woodchuck]

Costco has a high labor rate and they also treat their customers extremely well.  My point was that the LS near me only wants to deal with people if they can be ripped off.  Let's be honest, charging a rate over $400/hr for a tire changer is a ripoff.  Being dishonest to make a sale is a ripoff.

There is no way to justify dishonest behavior.  If they wanted to charge $30 since I didn't buy the tires from them, I would have done it, but a $70 bait and switch by making up some lame excuse about $0.50 valve stems after I was quoted $16 is not honest.  Be a man and tell me they don't want to mount internet tires, don't lie about valve stems.  Don't lie about what needs replacing and don't hold people's vehicles hostage by refusing to put them back together and blame "federal regulations."

I feel sorry for people that don't know much about vehicles and go in there trusting what they say.

I had a semi-poor experience at Costco, but it was due to a green employee and the manager made it more than right and was honest about what happened and apologized.  Same at Discount, they aren't 100% perfect, but I get honest answers.  With LS, all I get is the opposite, complete dishonesty.  People make mistakes, I don't expect perfection but I do expect to be treated with some level of professionalism and respect.

The labor cost issue is what’s driving these companies to poor service.  They are dying due to the internet and they see the cost of great customer service as a burden instead of a blessing. These managers are responsible for their respective revenue goals, and are hurting. It not only hurts the company, but their own wage as well.   It’s terrible to see  a once great company turn to these tactics for profits,  although I doubt it’s company wide.

Find a local service center and tell them what your expectations of service are.  That’s what we’ve done. We have an awesome relationship because of it. Win Win.

FWIW.  Costco has a very small overhead burden,  A totally different and unique business model from LS’s.

My wife worked at Costco for several years. She worked in the office for a while. The Costco tire shop is not meant to be a revenue generator. I was told it is a member service and if it breaks even they are happy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I can totally believe that!
I was in the new Costco here in OKC. They had BFG AT KOs for $188 each.
Not sure how they can be profitable, but I may take advantage of that, lol

They probably buy tires by the million and get a massive quantity discount. 

A lot of people don’t know Ford has a low tire price guarantee. Bring in an estimate from a brick and mortar tire store and we’ll beat it. That includes Costco. That doesn’t include Tire Rack or the like. I’d do those BFG’s for $187 a piece if you brought me something in writing.

is the guarantee for stock sizes only? I run a 35x12.50r20 on my f350, and would use the dealership to do the work if they would match the prices on that size tire.

Corwin Ford, 509-544-8000, Get the parts dept, ask to speak to Heather, she is really sharp. 

[baker5150]

Not to thread jack (although I am)

Anyone use the balancing beads or balls?  Thoughts?
Seam like a great idea.

[Woodchuck]

Not to thread jack (although I am)

Anyone use the balancing beads or balls?  Thoughts?
Seam like a great idea.

We have a customer who tried these a few years ago and it was a failure. In the end, the beads beat themselves into dust and we put traditional weights back on the rims.

[jackelope]

Costco has a high labor rate and they also treat their customers extremely well.  My point was that the LS near me only wants to deal with people if they can be ripped off.  Let's be honest, charging a rate over $400/hr for a tire changer is a ripoff.  Being dishonest to make a sale is a ripoff.

There is no way to justify dishonest behavior.  If they wanted to charge $30 since I didn't buy the tires from them, I would have done it, but a $70 bait and switch by making up some lame excuse about $0.50 valve stems after I was quoted $16 is not honest.  Be a man and tell me they don't want to mount internet tires, don't lie about valve stems.  Don't lie about what needs replacing and don't hold people's vehicles hostage by refusing to put them back together and blame "federal regulations."

I feel sorry for people that don't know much about vehicles and go in there trusting what they say.

I had a semi-poor experience at Costco, but it was due to a green employee and the manager made it more than right and was honest about what happened and apologized.  Same at Discount, they aren't 100% perfect, but I get honest answers.  With LS, all I get is the opposite, complete dishonesty.  People make mistakes, I don't expect perfection but I do expect to be treated with some level of professionalism and respect.

The labor cost issue is what’s driving these companies to poor service.  They are dying due to the internet and they see the cost of great customer service as a burden instead of a blessing. These managers are responsible for their respective revenue goals, and are hurting. It not only hurts the company, but their own wage as well.   It’s terrible to see  a once great company turn to these tactics for profits,  although I doubt it’s company wide.

Find a local service center and tell them what your expectations of service are.  That’s what we’ve done. We have an awesome relationship because of it. Win Win.

FWIW.  Costco has a very small overhead burden,  A totally different and unique business model from LS’s.

My wife worked at Costco for several years. She worked in the office for a while. The Costco tire shop is not meant to be a revenue generator. I was told it is a member service and if it breaks even they are happy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I can totally believe that!
I was in the new Costco here in OKC. They had BFG AT KOs for $188 each.
Not sure how they can be profitable, but I may take advantage of that, lol

They probably buy tires by the million and get a massive quantity discount. 

A lot of people don’t know Ford has a low tire price guarantee. Bring in an estimate from a brick and mortar tire store and we’ll beat it. That includes Costco. That doesn’t include Tire Rack or the like. I’d do those BFG’s for $187 a piece if you brought me something in writing.

is the guarantee for stock sizes only? I run a 35x12.50r20 on my f350, and would use the dealership to do the work if they would match the prices on that size tire.

If the tire is available through the Ford tire sales tool, the dealer should match it.
Tomato to tomato, size, part #, model...everything has to be identical.
Ford will reimburse the dealer the difference.
Edited to include the dealer has to also install the tires.

[Special T]

Not to thread jack (although I am)

Anyone use the balancing beads or balls?  Thoughts?
Seam like a great idea.

they make a powder that works pretty good. the problem is that you cannot use normal compressed air. You need an Air dryer other wise the powder clumps and quits working. Plus it likely isnt good with the newer TPMS systems.  thank God non of my rides have that.

[syoungs]

That's pretty impressive of Ford to do that. I just bought new tires last week, but next set that I purchase I will be checking with them for sure.

[Stein]

Thanks, I'll check the local Ford dealer for sure next time I need a set of tires.  I would have never thought of going there for good prices.

[jackelope]

You do have to do a little homework beforehand because you do have to bring them a quote. I’ve been known to do it myself a time or 4 by searching the www and printing a screenshot for my peeps. All it is is a retention tool for us. We make almost zero dollars on a set of tires.

[CoryTDF]

Things i learned this weekend.

1) A man should have his OWN utility trailer
2) If you borrow a trailer make sure to check the tires before you leave town
3) When the tire explodes and the spare is flat you are screwed.
4) Trailer tires are expensive

So, I had to make an emergency run to the Sunnyside LS and though i had to pay for the most expensive tire because that was all they had in stock they did treat me very well. Had me out of there in about 15 minutes which was really impressive.

The guy also noticed that the other tire had a nail in it. He took it off and went to pull the nail and check for a leak. While doing so he noticed that the wheel was leaking air. So, the spare tire was nearly flat and had a huge crack in it and the other wheel was really rusted through on the inside and leaking. He told me that he could put the good tire on the good wheel leaving me with a bad tire and a bad wheel which he could not mount again for me. He told me he would do that part for no charge so I had him do that.

I am now in the market for my own utility trailer so I do not have to put money into other peoples things. No sour feeling for my buddy as I am sure he didn't know he was sending me down the road with a rolling nightmare. When you borrow things and they break in your care you are obligated to fix them, well, at least that is how I see things. 

[Sandberm]

Things i learned this weekend.

1) A man should have his OWN utility trailer
2) If you borrow a trailer make sure to check the tires before you leave town
3) When the tire explodes and the spare is flat you are screwed.
4) Trailer tires are expensive

So, I had to make an emergency run to the Sunnyside LS and though i had to pay for the most expensive tire because that was all they had in stock they did treat me very well. Had me out of there in about 15 minutes which was really impressive.

The guy also noticed that the other tire had a nail in it. He took it off and went to pull the nail and check for a leak. While doing so he noticed that the wheel was leaking air. So, the spare tire was nearly flat and had a huge crack in it and the other wheel was really rusted through on the inside and leaking. He told me that he could put the good tire on the good wheel leaving me with a bad tire and a bad wheel which he could not mount again for me. He told me he would do that part for no charge so I had him do that.

I am now in the market for my own utility trailer so I do not have to put money into other peoples things. No sour feeling for my buddy as I am sure he didn't know he was sending me down the road with a rolling nightmare. When you borrow things and they break in your care you are obligated to fix them, well, at least that is how I see things.

Thats how I was raised. 

Back in the day if my dad borrowed the neighbors disk and say the tires looked a bit shot or maybe a bearing was a little loose. Dad would return the disk with at least newer used tires and install a new bearing. Shows your appreciation for the guy letting you borrow something which you do not own or can not afford at the moment

[nbk]

I don't think Les works on brakes... They replace everything!

Funny you mentioned this I have an appointment on the 17th to get my brakes done on my truck and they are replacing all of them lol

My magic 8-ball says your rotors are worn past serviceable limits, by federal law they may not be able to even put them back on the rig.  Options are new rotors or a tow home.  Don't ask me how magic 8-ball knows this....


I went there once for an alignment and was told my brakes were so bad they couldn't let me leave in my truck after they did the alignment. I had given them the spare key so I asked for my bill for the alignment, and when they refused I walked out and got in my truck and was ready to leave when the guy came running out with my bill. SCREW les schwab