Tyre pricing

So I'm back after two weeks in Scotland(nearly 2000 miles round trip) knowing I'd be near new tyre time. Upon checking I'm right on the limit, so it's phone time to the usual places to get a base price.

So I start at all the national places and starting price for 225/40/18 is about 150+ for Conti Sport 3s and a bit more for 5s. Plus similar for Pirelli and Goodyear with the usual out the ball park prices.

Start at the independent tyre fitters and the prices start to drop and drop quickly. How about £118 for Conti Sport 3s fully fitted and balanced or £125 for Goodyear Eagle F1 2s.

Astounding what a few phone calls make to the prices. I'm off the get two new tyres fitted now, lets hope the fitter is competent after some of the other threads that have been on here.