BUSY BOLTERS Are you one? The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
| | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| |
10 members (TUTS 59, homer52, Guitplayer, Hotrod Lincoln, 32vsnake, Charles in CA, Peggy M, 46 Texaco, 2 invisible),
556
guests, and
1
robot. | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | Forums66 Topics126,776 Posts1,039,271 Members48,100 | Most Online2,175 Jul 21st, 2025 | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 378 Shop Shark | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 378 | After I finally deciding on what tires to by for the rear of my 49 I bought the tires and took them to a local tire shop. Ask them to mount them to put the new ones on and balance them. After all was said and done it cost me $53.00 and change to get them mounted and balanced. Am I wrong or does this seem kinda high? | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 863 Shop Shark | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 863 | Yep, in my opinion what they charged you was a little high. Just had a new spare mounted and balanced, already had a new valve stem. All said and done with tax I was charged $19.00 at a Goodyear tire operated franchise.
Tim
"Pay attention to the details! It ALWAYS pays off."
1949 Chevrolet 3100 Series 1/2 ton Pickup 1964 Chevrolet C10 (Ol' Yella) (SOLD) 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne 2 door (SOLD) 1970 VW Beetle
| | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 378 Shop Shark | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 378 | I thought that was high. Maybe they were mad because I didn't buy the tires from them. They didn't have what I wanted. Lesson learned. Ask before you get things done!!!! | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | It's called the don't ever come back unless you buy your tires from us fee. Never could understand why the tire shops got mad when you try to spend money. 🛠🤑
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 45 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 45 | I work at a tire shop with a good reputation in the area. $53.00 is probably on the very high end but not way out of line. It just depends on the area and shop. We would be around $40-45.00 for 2 tires out the door if you supply your own tires. If you buy them from us the mounting is free.
I'm sure they aren't mad or don't want your business again. Keep in mind it is a business giving stuff away free doesn't pay the bills. labor time, weights, stems, tire disposal, and tax all cost money. It adds up quick. Being a regular customer or just some random guy off the street can make a difference too.
I would call or ask around next time. if you can get quality work done at a cheaper price go for it.
Last edited by 2manyprojects; 05/08/2017 9:43 PM.
Richard 42 Chevy pickup 65 Chevy C10 Panel | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | Very good post, 2manyprojects.
I would have been OK with $25-$30 for mounting and balancing two tires, plus the cost of inner-tubes/stems, but I would not be upset at the cost in the first post if it was for simply mounting 2 tires (nonetheless, . . . beggars can't be choosers . . . ). | | | | Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 916 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 916 | Some of these tire chain stores reward managers for the amount of service $$$ written, just like they do with service writers at dealerships.... and all it does is create a centrifuge for lying and bilking people out their money. And they do it with a smile.
The last tire chain store I went to to get an alignment on my '63 GMC after replacing all the ball joints and tie rods, gave me a $85 estimate, then called me in the middle of the job and told me that they would have to order a $245.00 "shim kit" to get it aligned properly. What transpired after that phone call I won't go into here, but if they are doing it to me, they must be doing it to thousands of others.... a sad state of affairs indeed.
~ Dave 1950 Chevrolet 3600 3/4-ton with 261 engine & T5 Transmission | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | $20-$25 a tire around here. (Virginia.)
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | $53 to mount and balance 4 tire is actually low, you got a good deal if they did it that cheap. The industry average is around $20 per tire to mount them, plus around $4-$5 for stems. The cost of labor and materials has gone up, especially since the EPA outlawed lead wheel weights and require the use of more expensive steel weights.
Bill Burmeister | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,321 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,321 | $53 to mount and balance 4 tire is actually low, Read the first post again. It was 2 tires, not 4. Harold
Harold Is a restoration ever finished? | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Read the first post again. It was 2 tires, not 4. Harold I missed that part. Still, $53 isn't that bad, that's $26.50 a tire, pretty much within the industry standards these days.
Bill Burmeister | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | So, I guess getting four 15" tubeless tires (that I provided) mounted and balanced and installed on my trailer for $50.00 was a bargain! That included new bolt-in valve stems, also. I'll definitely be doing more business with that shop and recommending that others do business there.
When I ran a 24-hour truck shop and road service, I found that referrals from satisfied customers brought in far more dollars than trying to rob everyone who came through the door did! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 378 Shop Shark | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 378 | Bright, it was two tires. Maybe I have been out of the picture to long. It cost me 1200.00 for the tire on my Z71 a year or so back. I almost had a heart attack on that one but at least I knew ahead of time. It's my fault, I should have asked first but I had no idea that things have went up so much. I live in the country a don't go shopping and stuff like that so I'm kinda out of touch. | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 378 Shop Shark | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 378 | | | |
| |