I called around to get "Out the door" prices for four Hankook 16" tires installed, balanced, etc…read morehere's my results:
White Tire,759-9310,GRAYSON,$632.00
Mavis,610-8335,Bella,$746.20
Allray,754-0382,Eddie,$697.00
Discount Tire,322-2309,Blake,$734.52
Discount Tire,322-2309,Female,$746.20
Walmart,754-0878,John,$670.00?
Blue Ridge T Co.,758-5096,Corey/Sue,$635.67
MR TIRE,Lenoir,John,$810.00
I was careful to take notes, tell each dealer the same things and to confirm that the price quoted would not vary when I was checking out.
Of all the firms I called, only Grayson at White Tire mentioned a 3% charge if I paid 'with a card.' Grayson offered the best price, but I messed up and went with Cory at Blue Ridge Tire Co. I think it was because they'd done work for me on my Kubota as well as my old sedan.
When I called to order the tires, I asked if I should come by with the credit card because Cory 'had to order' the tires. He said, no need, you can pay for them when they are installed.
I made the appointment and called the next day to ask if the tires were in, speaking to Sue and telling her my name, the tires ordered an specifically the net net price Cory had negotiated $635.67. She told me to come right in and I did. It took about two hours. The mechanic was very helpful and precise - he torqued the lugs manually and helped load and tie down my 'old' tires as they had great tread left.
When I went into the office to settle up, tendering my credit card, Sue told me I would have to pay an additional 3% if I put it on a card.
When I objected and told her the deal Cory had made and that she had not changed when she told me to come in, she stood her ground and sent me off to BB&T for the cash.
The receipt she tendered made no mention of the install, balance, TPMS check, warranty and listed $00.00 for LABOR. When I asked her about this unique approach she said "That's the way we do it."
If you ask me, if it ain't illegal, it's surely suspicious behavior.
By the way, Sue did have a little black sign among the clutter on the counter. And it said something about the 3% charge for credit cards. But I never saw it until I went to pay what I'd negotiated with Cory and Sue over several phone calls during the preceding two days.
They 'GOT ME' over less than $25 instead of earning a customer for life, they earned a lifetime of free advertising, for anybody but!
My advice, call them and get their price - but don't let them do the work if they don't mention the Surcharge for credit cards while you have them negotiating on the phone.
Caveat Emptor!
As dubya Bush famously tried to quip "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
