Used tires... You would think that tire stores that- um... sell tires - would have a couple used tires... Sheesh.

[Ingomike]

Why? No different than selling anything else used.

Most likely the OP was talking about a chain tire shop with corporate policies and a lot to lose. Most places that sell used tires are fly by night small shops, with little to lose, or junk yards, neither of which have a corporate reputation or cash…

 

[hopper68]

Why not sell used tires? Because breaking with the public can suck.
Had a farmer come in towing a piece of equipment he bought at auction. We were not a tire shop but general auto repair shop with a few used tires around. The farmer blew out a dry rotted 15 inch tire and we had no 15 inch tires. Wanted to put his truck spare, a 16 inch tire on the rim. Had to explain it was too big. Seen a 13 inch tire sitting off to the side and said used that one, explained it was too small. He said just cut the sidewall out to the right size and use a tube.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

Probably no less than 10 used tires shops on E Washington st from downtown to Arlington st

 

[Ingomike]

Most places that sell used tires are fly by night small shops, with little to lose, or junk yards,

Probably no less than 10 used tires shops on E Washington st from downtown to Arlington st

The kind of shops I described. I often wonder where they get the tires? Think the recycle company sells the tires to these shops? It seems logical. Customer pays recycling fee to corporate tire shop, recycling company sorts out decent tires, sells them to small shops. No one with deep pockets has any liability...

 

[armalitesheepdog]

The kind of shops I described. I often wonder where they get the tires? Think the recycle company sells the tires to these shops? It seems logical. Customer pays recycling fee to corporate tire shop, recycling company sorts out decent tires, sells them to small shops. No one with deep pockets has any liability...

Sounds about right. Or tire shops that replace sets for wealthier customers who have money to burn and replace tires with lots of tread left sort and sell in bulk.

 

[WebSnyper]

Sounds about right. Or tire shops that replace sets for wealthier customers who have money to burn and replace tires with lots of tread left sort and sell in bulk.

This is not that uncommon for SUVs/Trucks for example when there are almost new OEM takeoffs when someone wants a more aggressive tire.

 

[Frosty]

Probably no less than 10 used tires shops on E Washington st from downtown to Arlington st

And that many if not more from Harding to Raceway road on the west side.

 

[Leo]

Traditionally, most smaller shops would have a few usable old tires around for a quick cash sale. After all the lawsuits against tire companies for blowouts and all, I can see why a shop would not allow that liability. Sell a guy a used tire and he has a blow out, in today's world, too many people would go straight to litigation.

Sad, but these are the times we live in.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

The kind of shops I described. I often wonder where they get the tires? Think the recycle company sells the tires to these shops? It seems logical. Customer pays recycling fee to corporate tire shop, recycling company sorts out decent tires, sells them to small shops. No one with deep pockets has any liability...

Tire place by me buys used tires from some company. The company inspects them and such. What they get though is luck of the draw.

They sell used, new, rims, do alignments, steering, and suspension work. They do a bit more than that but not much. They aren't a fly by night, but definitely not a large corp just a small family owned shop. They've been there that I know of over twenty years and they had a great reputation built up by then, and still do. Heck I took my mom's car into another mechanic for some work and she had mentioned needing to get an alignment and new tires soon so I asked the mechanic about doing the alignment while it was in. He told me he had the equipment and could do it and would if we wanted him to, but he took his vehicles to this place to have it done.

One time I took my car in for two new, it needed four but two were still okay and I couldn't quite swing the cost of 4 at that time. I took it in and after they pulled it in the mechanic came out and told me what I already knew, that the two were okay still but could use to be replaced. But they had a set of 4 that were 80% or better he could let me have for less than the cost of the two new and asked if I wanted to take a look at them. 80% nah more like 95% and a slightly better tire than what I was getting new.

But I'll have to disagree a bit about your reasoning, for a large corp with deep pockets lawsuits are just an added cost of business. For a small family owned shop a lawsuit could be death. Take the McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit, for them it was easily absorbed for a mom and pop burger place it would have been the kiss of death.

Traditionally, most smaller shops would have a few usable old tires around for a quick cash sale. After all the lawsuits against tire companies for blowouts and all, I can see why a shop would not allow that liability. Sell a guy a used tire and he has a blow out, in today's world, too many people would go straight to litigation.

Sad, but these are the times we live in.

Around me it's the smaller shops that sell used, as I mentioned above they buy them. They are inspected and "certified" so most of the liability would or at least should be on the company they buy them from.

 

[KLB]

But I'll have to disagree a bit about your reasoning, for a large corp with deep pockets lawsuits are just an added cost of business. For a small family owned shop a lawsuit could be death. Take the McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit, for them it was easily absorbed for a mom and pop burger place it would have been the kiss of death.

IF they stand to make more from whatever it is than it would cost them in a settlements, sure.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

IF they stand to make more from whatever it is than it would cost them in a settlements, sure.

True, but if they are buying them from a company that "certifies" the used tire, they should be able to pass the buck. And since their are companies that do so, I figure the payout is probably worth the risk.

 

[KLB]

True, but if they are buying them from a company that "certifies" the used tire, they should be able to pass the buck. And since their are companies that do so, I figure the payout is probably worth the risk.

Do any of the big boys do it?

I know Discount tire doesn't. That is the only place I have bought a tire in over 10 years.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

Do any of the big boys do it?

I know Discount tire doesn't. That is the only place I have bought a tire in over 10 years.

No idea, I don't think I've bought from any of the big boys at least not that I can remember. Might be soon though, my car needs 4 new and I have to call around and get some prices. Actually I'm probably going to have 2 cars that need new. Daughter has her permit and is going to need a car by next summer.

 

[KLB]

Daughter has her permit and is going to need a car by next summer.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

Yep. I went through it with the son about 10 yrs ago when I was younger, not sure my heart is going to take the strain this time. Although I will say from the little I've seen so far, she is much more cautious at least starting out than her brother was.

And a word of caution for anyone venturing into Monticello in the near future, you may want to stay off the sidewalks.

 

[femurphy77]

Why not sell used tires? Because breaking with the public can suck.
Had a farmer come in towing a piece of equipment he bought at auction. We were not a tire shop but general auto repair shop with a few used tires around. The farmer blew out a dry rotted 15 inch tire and we had no 15 inch tires. Wanted to put his truck spare, a 16 inch tire on the rim. Had to explain it was too big. Seen a 13 inch tire sitting off to the side and said used that one, explained it was too small. He said just cut the sidewall out to the right size and use a tube.

Now that is a true farmer story.

 

[Ingomike]

Tire place by me buys used tires from some company. The company inspects them and such. What they get though is luck of the draw.

They sell used, new, rims, do alignments, steering, and suspension work. They do a bit more than that but not much. They aren't a fly by night, but definitely not a large corp just a small family owned shop. They've been there that I know of over twenty years and they had a great reputation built up by then, and still do. Heck I took my mom's car into another mechanic for some work and she had mentioned needing to get an alignment and new tires soon so I asked the mechanic about doing the alignment while it was in. He told me he had the equipment and could do it and would if we wanted him to, but he took his vehicles to this place to have it done.

One time I took my car in for two new, it needed four but two were still okay and I couldn't quite swing the cost of 4 at that time. I took it in and after they pulled it in the mechanic came out and told me what I already knew, that the two were okay still but could use to be replaced. But they had a set of 4 that were 80% or better he could let me have for less than the cost of the two new and asked if I wanted to take a look at them. 80% nah more like 95% and a slightly better tire than what I was getting new.

But I'll have to disagree a bit about your reasoning, for a large corp with deep pockets lawsuits are just an added cost of business. For a small family owned shop a lawsuit could be death. Take the McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit, for them it was easily absorbed for a mom and pop burger place it would have been the kiss of death.

Around me it's the smaller shops that sell used, as I mentioned above they buy them. They are inspected and "certified" so most of the liability would or at least should be on the company they buy them from.

The corporate tire shops have a business model for selling new tires and do not want to sell used tires, whether for liability or other reasons. The small shops likely are willing to take the risks that corporate shops will not and while the risks are great, including bankrupting the business, they serve a market niche and lack the corporate coffers that make them a target for the legal system that a corporate shop may face. Do you think the legal team that went after McD’s would sign on to go after a mom and pop coffee shop?

 

[Timjoebillybob]

The corporate tire shops have a business model for selling new tires and do not want to sell used tires, whether for liability or other reasons. The small shops likely are willing to take the risks that corporate shops will not and while the risks are great, including bankrupting the business, they serve a market niche and lack the corporate coffers that make them a target for the legal system that a corporate shop may face. Do you think the legal team that went after McD’s would sign on to go after a mom and pop coffee shop?

Do you think there's a shortage of attorneys that wouldn't sign on to go after a mom and pop coffee shop? While ma and pop may not have a big ol pile of cash, their insurance company probably has a decent amount. And if the person suing wins, they might just get a turn key ready business to either run or sell if the insurance isn't enough to cover the judgement.

 

[KLB]

The McDonald's case is such a bad example to use.

they might just get a turn key ready business to either run or sell if the insurance isn't enough to cover the judgement.

Nah. They just force the company into bankruptcy and out of business.

 

[Ziggidy]

Tire stores recycle old tires, they don't keep them.

Selling used tires in this age seems like a great way to open yourself up to lawsuits.

They charge us a disposal fee then turn around and find ways to make money with the rubber scrap.