Buying Tires for the First Time
People watching is an imaginative sport. Sitting in a lobby, courtyard, or other public venue and watching the ebb and flow of other people can offer interesting insights into the human condition. Some people are easier to spot than others, like someone who is buying something large for the first time. Peek into the sales floor of any tire dealer and it is easy to tell the experienced tire buyers from the first timer.
There are some first time shoppers who do their homework ahead of time. They have learned about the difference between tires and rims and can quickly decipher the various ratings and sizes listed on any tire. They may even have read recent consumer reviews and know what the going price is for the tires they want. Most newbies are far from this. They know they need tires and that the store sells tires and that’s about it.
Those first time tire buyers need to accept responsibility for their own learning curve. They need to follow the example outlined above or bring along an experienced tire buyer to advise them. There are lots of honest and honorable people selling tires who will happily explain things to new buyers, however, there are also less than reputable salesmen who just want to make their quota and get a good commission. Some cheap tires are a great deal and will last a long time while others are a bad investment. The only way a first time buyer can know the difference is if they take the time to learn about tires before walking into the showroom.