Is my dealer trying to shaft me because i asked if they were in stock?

[nielsenj]

I'm not usually one to nickel and dime but i have an ugly feeling in my gut about my dealer.

Doing my due diligence I asked my dealer for a quote on new winter tires for price comparison.

195/65/15 for my `09 Corolla XRS.
As well as Toyota Genuine Steel Wheels
No TPSM
Installation Cost.

I asked specifically for two brands to be quoted, the Xi2's and WS-70's and if they were in stock.

The emails that came back broke down like this:

Wheels - $70 each
Mounting and balancing - $100.
Lug Nuts - $56

The tires themselves came out to:

Xi2 - $144
WS-70 - $159

They said that the WS-70's were in stock but the Xi2's were not.

Everywhere i've look for pricing the Xi2's are the more expensive brand.

Has anyone experienced this? The WS-70's are coming out to over $33 more per tire compared to sites like 1010tires.com or even Costco.

As much as i'd like to go with my dealer and have their guarantee everything will work as intended i'm not a fan of the premium that seems to be working in their favour.

Thanks for your feedback!

[onemph05]

The dealership sells the tires at double the cost, compared to prices on Tirerack. Tirerack also has cash rebates depending on brand of tire for sale. You can get tires mounted cheaper at speed shops or family owned garages, by using the rebate money. I don't understand why anyone would buy tires at the dealership. It pays off, when you take the time to call around. I purchase all my tires through tirerack... Keep in mind, the prices you pay is going to the employees pocket in terms of commission at the dealership or shops like AmericasTires...

[nielsenj]

The plug was nice but that's not exactly what i was asking.

I know what the pricing is, i explained the situation and asked if it's likely i'm getting shafted simply because the product is in stock and i may have conveyed a sense of urgency to them by asking if the product was in stock.

The mounting and installation cost is par for my area.
The wheel cost is par for manufacturer rims which i prefer to generic simply from previous experiences.

The tire cost themselves is the issue, i know they have commission as do many places. I would expect that commission to be comparable on brands that are priced approximately the same everywhere.

The Xi2's are very similar in the quote to what it costs at most other places available to me, what other reason would there be for the WS-70's to be substantially more?

There are rebates on both brands, slightly more on the WS-70's but not enough to make up for a $33 per tire difference.

I'm basically looking for feedback and experiences from other people on similar issues.

I am fine being a sucker and paying a premium for Toyota guaranteed work; if that's not your view I can live with that.

What i don't like is being blatantly shafted above and beyond that simply because they think they can take advantage of the situation and it's the type of thing that would make me switch dealers or start taking my car to shops I frequented before I purchased my Toyota.

[ernest t bass]

Call 3 or 4 different Toyota Dealerships for Quotes.....If you insist on the dealership.

[Jeff Lange]

Michelin really dropped their prices on their winter tires this year. On Toyota's national tire program, in any given size the Xi2 is pretty much always cheaper than the Blizzaks. Those prices look normal.

It doesn't seem like they're trying to shaft you at all.

EDIT: Also, I believe the Michelins actually have the higher rebate value as well, at $70.00 per set, versus the $50.00 per set on the Bridgestones.

Jeff