No, you don’t need a big box store for tires

Each year, you’ll see the Spring-time ads in the papers and online for tires. The ads are generally from big box stores. They have several bays for oil changes, tires, batteries and other such services. Some even have younger auto repair technicians that are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, to a point.

Most people prefer to take their vehicle to a qualified and reputable auto repair shop for maintenance and repairs. But, some are drawn to the ads they see when the big box stores run their sales. They just assume that the auto repair shop can’t compete with the big box stores’ sale prices on tires. They might just be surprised.

There are qualified auto repair shops that sell tires at prices that are very competitive with the best sale prices at the box stores. And, there are advantages to buying your tires from a qualified auto repair shop.

Though they generally mean well, the truth is that most of those younger employees in the ‘Auto Department’ of a big box store don’t have the level of training, experience and additional certifications that you’ll find at a qualified auto repair shop.

At a qualified auto repair shop, you’ll have someone working on your car who knows your vehicle inside and out. In terms of your tires, they’ll have the ability to help you select the best tires for your purposes, not just the tires that a big box store is trying to move.

At a qualified auto repair shop, where you always bring your car, they’ll be up to date on your car’s maintenance. They’ll know what service is due and they’ll also recognize if repairs are required. For instance, you may need an alignment why you put new tires on the car. You could also need front end and/or suspension repairs.

Providing these kinds of service will help to ensure that you get the most miles out of your new tires. These services will also ensure that you don’t need even more repairs later, since front end, alignment and suspension issues tend to cause additional problems over time.

A qualified auto repair shop will also check your brakes while your tires are off the car and will look your car over, in general, to make sure your car is ready for the long haul.

The point is that there are good reasons to bring your car to a qualified auto repair shop for tires, not the least of which is that the prices are often fantastic.

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