So just before New Year I unfortunately managed to hit quite a large pothole which gave me a flat tyre a day later. Upon reinflating I noticed there was a bulge in the sidewall so no change of fixing! I got a replacement at a local tyre place.

Seen as though the fronts were getting towards being replaced anyway I decided to change the other one prematurely as well to match as I'd gone for a different brand on the new one. Got a few quotes from local tyre places then decided to try the internet (blackcircles, lovetyres etc etc) and found the tyre I wanted for approx £25 cheaper inc delivery.

So when it arrived this morning I thought great I'll just go down to the nearest tyre place and get them to fit it for me for ~£10. However they refused saying that because they didn't supply it, they could not fit it! Hmmm I thought, fussy *********. So i rang around 5-6 more places and they all said the same thing! (starting to worry now).

Eventually rang kwik fit who said they would do it for £13. Happy with that. Took it down same day without any problems.

Anyone else experienced this? I understand where they are coming from but all they have to do is write on the invoice "customer supplied, fitted only". Liability waived. The reason they gave was that they don't know where they tyre has come from and cannot gaurantee it's quality. Also it could be stolen!

Just thought I'd share this for anyone else thinking of getting cheaper tyres of the internet. Not as straight forward as you may expect. Be warned!

Loads of places say it now, no mark up on tyre !!

never had a problem at Hi-Q when SWMBO has ordered her all-seasons from Germany.

I've had garages fit them.... Usually a tenner a wheel. Pretty pathetic that though!

When I was looking for Michelin Alpins one dealer actualy told me they did not have enough room to stock as many tyres as they would like, and to get them on the internet and he would fit them for £10 pounds each. The tyres came from Oponeo and were a good price with very fast delivery. When I went to the dealer (ATS Tyres Warfield Berks) three fitters got the wheels and tyres out the back of the car fitted the tyres and stashed them all back in the boot for me.

The problem is they haven't sold you the rubber so hardly a profit for them? , also more and more drivers are opting for this way to purchase so in theory this could harm the garages and we could see some closures? They charge a £5 a corner here

You'll probably find the chains eg kwik fit etc, are doing them on the side, smaller privately owned firms don't seem to like it as much

My local independent tyre fitter has no problem with fitting tyres bought elsewhere, and very reasonable charges too. £20 to do all four winter tyres (new rubber onto new wheels) and £30 to swap SWMBO's tyres for all seasons. It maybe helps that I've used the same chap for 15 years or so, and buy tyres from him if he can get them.

my local tyre place fit my own tyres no problem £10 a wheel....

It's slowly going up round here. Use to be £10 a corner, now it's £15 a corner. But then I ask Just tyres how much for a pair a rainsports, £70 more than online! What do they expect. I think this time round I'll use the sites that let you get them fitted at a local fitting centre.

Ive either found they refuse to fit them or they want £20 to fit each tyre! Two places I rang wanted £20 + vat per tyre so thats almost £100 to fit four winter tyres - madness!! As above, its got to be because they havent made money on the tyre sale.

I dont have a problem with the place I use as I have a very good relationship with them.

But why shuold thry fit them cheaply they have a living to make.

Just imagine if you took them to a main dealer at £100 plus an hour.

There are risks involved in fitting tyres and some wide low profile tyres take skill and knowledge to fit, not to mention balancing the wheel and a new valve. I can understand charges of £20 a tyre considering if the rim got damaged the customer would expect it to be fixed/replaced, especially when they're not going to earn anything on the sale of the tyre.

Some places want to see the invoice and will not fit if the stickers have been removed.

Last time the local tyre fitter worked out the same price as ordering them getting someone to fit.

Most charge between £10-20 a tyre to be fitted.

Sometimes the hassle and fitting charges erase the savings made.

Last time I needed tyres on the works car, kwikfit were cheaper than the likes of etyres etc!

You'll probably find the chains eg kwik fit etc, are doing them on the side, smaller privately owned firms don't seem to like it as much

That's just reminded me; I went to ATS in Eastleigh back in October to get my summers swapped over for the winters I had in storage. They made no money from the tyre sale as the winters were bought elsewhere in Oct 2011. £50 and some shrapnel all in with Nitro inflation for nowt. The bloke in charge noticed my Brisky stickers and mentioned he'd heard of it. Not sure if that's realavent but he spent some time at the computer, moving items on and off the list :think: Went back in last friday when the snow was settled as they were quiet and got the nitro topped up for nowt. I'll go there again I think :yes:

Get to know your local garages, I have been using one local garage for the last 5 years and they wanted £13 a tyre, tried another local who knew my dad and brother well and they did it for free when I turned up and recognised me, even helped put the weights on.

Just remember that the internet is not always the cheapest source.

Just remember that the internet is not always the cheapest source.

Truth. I can pick up 2 or 4 Falken 452's cheaper fitted locally than buying online.

I'm told they have stopped making them now :-(

Truth. I can pick up 2 or 4 Falken 452's cheaper fitted locally than buying online.

I'm told they have stopped making them now :-(

They are 453's now and they arent directional

The 912 has also changed to 914

They are better anyways

Had trouble getting tyres for my brothers Swift Sport. Got them from Tyre Traders online in the end and got my local place to fit them. Asked how much he could get them for and was only a fiver more a tyre fitted. Next time I'll go straight to him

My local tyre place is also one of Blackcircles, and others, approved fitter, but every time I've wanted tyres he has undercut the internet price without being asked.

As has been said, use them or lose them.

I'm a big fan of http://www.event-tyres.co.uk - last time I used them (admittedly a couple of year's back now) they quoted competitive prices and included mobile fitting which meant I didn't have to take time off work. One of the few companies who seem to be able to balance wheels properly these days too.

Chris

It's a rare thing now and able to fit tyres without marking the alloys. I only know of 3 people I trust to do it

That's just reminded me; I went to ATS in Eastleigh back in October to get my summers swapped over for the winters I had in storage. They made no money from the tyre sale as the winters were bought elsewhere in Oct 2011. £50 and some shrapnel all in with Nitro inflation for nowt. The bloke in charge noticed my Brisky stickers and mentioned he'd heard of it. Not sure if that's realavent but he spent some time at the computer, moving items on and off the list :think: Went back in last friday when the snow was settled as they were quiet and got the nitro topped up for nowt. I'll go there again I think :yes:

ATS refused to put my new rubber on last week so went to a local indy who charged me £20 for changing both fronts.

Strange how one will and one won't :wonder: