Relationships...

[rs88]

Guys.. I have a good "working relationship" with my mechanic.. looks after all my cars.. including the V .....

Always trust his judgement in regards to tyres/mechanics... stuff like that.. Always kept him in beer and of course.. I get freebies back ...

Now.. I'm thinking of changing my 20" tyres.. and found cheaper prices out there....

I don't want to break this relationship that I have.. I know most of the time you pay the higher prices at these places for other services.. like free tyre alignment/balancing when you get tyres from them..

I just want to understand from anyone who have similar situations or even worked at these places.. to give their opinion....

[Seano350GT]

I doubt he will care, i'd pay the cheaper fee if it's the same product.

[t5iv]

At the end of the day the guy runs a business. He wants to make money.

Most of the time, they don't care. If I have a good relationship with someone, I'll be open and say "hey, found this and really like the look of it, what do you think? I know you and trust you and would like to go through you, can you get a similar price?"

All comes down to how your relationship is built.

It's a hard one to judge though.

If the price is say $4k from the competitor and your guy can only source the part for that much, there's no point in him going to that extent for nothing. However, if he can source it for $3.5k and sells it for $5k, he may cut his profit a little for a long term relationship.

[rs88]

Good point Tony350. Best be upfront .. Same issues with Retailers and people buying stuff overseas.. however in this case, there's not much relationship there to begin with.

[SMOKEYV35]

agreed with Tony...'what he says is correct'.

I'd just say to him 'look, I want to buy X and it's a fair bit of money so I'm looking around for the best price. I've found a place that sells X for this amount - which for whatever reasons is a bit less than what you can sell me X for. You're welcome to charge people whatever price you think is fair and i'm not telling you how to run a business, but is there anything you can do to get the price closer - I'd rather give my business to you. What do you think?' (always end with a question - it forces a response lol).

At the end of the day - he is a service and product provider, and you're a customer - regardless of how friendly the conversations are during the transaction.

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, just buy the tyres elsewhere. Think of it as supporting the community rather than supporting a single business. Spread the wealth!

(PS. It's funny you mention keeping him supplied with beer. I've started using a mechanic close to my work, and I like the way he operates - it is the first time in all my years of car ownership that I've used a mechanic - I've always done it myself but I'm just too busy these days. Naturally I was very skeptical at first, but this guy is very friendly, straight down the middle, and I can tell he knows that i know a couple of things so he doesn't try and piss in my pocket. After he went out of his way to help me out recently, I dropped a carton of beer off at his shop at 3pm on a particularly hot Friday arvo. You'd think I just gave him a novelty cheque for a million bucks. He said to me 'mate, it's nice to be thanked once in a while - all my job is day after day is people yelling at me for this and that. It's nice to get something positive'. You'd be surprised how the little things go a long way. I guarantee that $40 slab will pay for itself over and over again.)

[Seano350GT]

Mat, but then you have the issue of "shit what does he drink?" if you don't know him that well. What if you accidentally drop off some VB when he hates that shit? That could be detrimental to the relationship.

[LineItUp]

At the end of the day it's just tires... it's not like you bought something he advised against (like a competitors set of coilovers and asked him to install them)

[rs88]

Lol! True.. but relationships extend to maintaining my cars.. not just tyres.. Easier to drop off the car and get someone to look after it.. time is short these days.. My opinion ... as long as it is FREE.. Any grog will do!

[Seano350GT]

I have a great relationship with the boys at my work, (i sell used cars) and we have a fully equipped workshop out the back. I've got a few little things done out here like my front bar resprayed and my boot lid resprayed and paint touch ups around the body, gearbox oil change, and now tomorrow i'm finally getting the car tinted 18% for $50 so i am set right where i am

[Vthirty5]

Yeah i guess it comes down to how you feel. I agree with Tony, however on the other hand (i guess an almost extreme) If you bounce around all the different retailers/mechanics (which I understand you arent doing) trying to get the best price possible, through FB and word of mouth, reputations may be made and service may be jacked up for you etc cause youre "that guy with said car"

I am sticking with who I know, because in the long run, they will help you out and appreciate your business (if they are a bit more customer service orientated) and in saying that, honesty once again as Tony said could possible help you if youre up front.

Rock/hard place situation I guess. You want the cheapest price and the mech/retailer wants your business/moneys.

[t5iv]

Sean, if you're giving someone free beer, the best option is a case of Squires. A lot of people like it and its a reasonable price. People know that your aren't being a cheap prick.

Sam, please refer to me sig.

[t5iv]

Also OP, different companies have different relationships with their providers. Your guy may have a great relationship with Pitelli but you want Nitto. If he isn't buying a lot of their stock, he won't have the best price and hell know this. Respect him and if he's a decent bloke he'll provide you with the right advice.

[rs88]

Another good point Sig.. that's the reason why I posted this... I didn't think of that business relationship between retailer and manufacturer. By the way, thanks guys for all your views.. that's why I love this forum!!!

Sam, you're right.. that's how I feel at the moment.

[Seano350GT]

One of my mates runs the drift club up here, has a fully decked out shed with a hoist and air tools the LOT. I asked him if he could do my gearbox,clutch and flywheel swap for me and the cheapest he could do it was $900. I found a local shop that's going to do it for around $600, i was upfront with my mate and told him that i simply can't afford the extra $300 labour EVEN though i know i'm taking a risk because my mate does really f*cking good work and knows these cars well.

I am going ahead with the shop though, he understands that and we're all happy at the end of the day just be honest.