buying tires shouldn't be this complicated (advertising in general)

Let me start of by saying that I wouldn't call myself a consumerist, first, because I don't think it's actually a word, and second, I only usually buy stuff I need and then weeks or months after I need it.  So it's entirely possible that all the advertising that comes my way I get a little more irritated about than the average person.  That said, when you do need something, you'd think the businesses would be keen to help.

Thank goodness I only have to buy tires every 4 years or so.  I remember having serious difficulty last time when shopping for a Ford Focus - hardly a rare tire size.  This time, I have an odd sized low profile tire which came with my Elantra Touring SE.  Looks very nice, came with the car.

I'm not wanting to go through a lot of comparison shopping so I decide to go to Canadian Tire.  The service will undoubtedly be shoddy, but the tires available and the price decent.  I mark down the tire size, stash the old tires and rims in the trunk and set out.  What could possibly go wrong?

Enter Canadian TIRE, march over to the tire section, pick out a make and model that comes in my size and meets my high demands of economy and durability.  Go to the order desk and state that 'I'm looking for some tires, I see you have some'  What size?  215/14R17.  We only have a Cooper Tire in stock.  What are the specs?  I don't know.  Can you tell me anything about this tire?  No, the computer doesn't give me that.  (thinks, is this really then end of this conversation.  No what kind of tire are you looking for?  We can get them in quickly.  Nada.)  Steve goes home and starts an internet search.

(As an aside:  I've never seen anyone anywhere outside of Canadian Tire Auto that is so inept with a computer keyboard.  Every time, it's like they are working in a foreign language.  And it takes 250 very slow clicks to get an oil change.)

I've heard the service at COSTCO is good, so I visit their web-site and pick out some good tires that come in my required size.  I call COSTCO.  After 5 or 6 rings, I hang up.  Repeat several times until on the 7the ring, a message begins.  I kid you not:  40 seconds of Welcome to Costco.... press 1 for English.  If you want home economics press 1... Electrical press 2.... on and on..  automotive press 5 (now we are getting somewhere).  For service press 1.  For returns press 2.  For TIRES press 4.  Guess what number I pressed as my impatience grew.  3 what happened to #3?  That's the way the number system works, there's a 3 between 2 and 4, you can't just randomly miss it out.  Then dead air.  No way to hit star and return.

Start again.  Do you have these tires?  No we don't have those.  End of storey.   Thanks anyway.

Call Canadian Tire back against my better judgement.   "Can you order me in this tire that is listed on your web-site in this size that is also listed on your web-site?"  "No, I'm afraid that none of my suppliers are showing that they don't have those"  "Can I give you a piece of advice..........." 

Dam it, now we are in for the long haul. 

Wonder Tire and Auto to the rescue?  Visit the web-site.  It's a tough site to use, but I find some tires that look the business and come in my size.  "Request a Quote"  Now we are talking.  Name, address, phone, e-mail, pet's name, etc.  Request a quote.  I don't have to wait long before the return e-mail pops up.  and here it is in its full glory.  I'd like to bring special attention to the final line:

 

Steve,

Thank you for choosing Wonder Auto & Tire - Fredericton North.  Your online
quote request submitted at http://www.wonderauto.com/ on 04/30/2014 at 12:14 PM


   Products submitted for quote:

--- 1 of 1 ---
Manufacturer: Pirelli
Model: Pirelli Tires 2013
Product Name: Cinturato P7 All Season Plus Tire
Fitment: 215/45/17
Tire Size: 215/45R17XL
Part Number: 2339100
Price: N/A

 



What's the point?  I request a quote, you send me through a bunch of hoops and then, you can't give me a price.  How about labelling the tab No Quote, Send us your e-mail so we can spam you forever without getting anything useful in return.

OK, let's not give in so easy.  Let's call the buggers.  Do you have.....?  No, we don't have that?  drrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Call a couple of other places with similar results, before finally calling SSAuto on Westmoreland and Brunswick.  At least there I got a no we don't have them, but we can order them in.  They'll be here within the week and the cost will be...  Sold.   This is the same place I used to take my Subaru to for a service and on one occasion went to drive it away and the battery was dead, on another occasion a hose had been left uncoupled and the car simply stopped dead within a hundred yards and on two occasions I had to return because the engine light was on.  It was a long time ago, but maybe I'll stay and watch the tire change.

While I'm on a bit of a rant, I'd like to put it out there to both Bell and Rogers, that Despite the weekly flyers trying give me piece of mind for about $300/year, I will not be installing a home security system any time soon.  I recognize that it could be a bit of fun once in a while to see what my pets are up to using my smart phone (likely sleeping).  I understand that it would be very useful if I'm wondering if I left the frying pan on the stove and the house is burning, but I can alert the fire department before the neighbours notice the thick smoke billowing out of the blown out window. Stop trying to convince me I need this crap.  I have house insurance.

A similar shout out to that annoying female salesperson flogging on behalf of Riverview Ford Lincoln.  I don't care how many times a day I have to hear that message in that comforting motherly voice "No Games, a better way to by a car".  I'm not buying a car from you based on a touchy feely experience.  I'd rather base my decision on quality, practicality, efficiency and price.  Besides, I have an Elantra that will soon have new tires (and likely a flat battery and a yellow engine light)

Very similar to the above, the chirpy housewife from Sobey's "Just Better Prices"  Hey, I already shop at Sobeys and if you think $3.99 a lb for tomatoes is a good deal, come and see me I've got a garage full of good deals.

Another exceedingly irritating ploy is the advertiser that sees you as a personal friend, even if you've never shopped at the place.  "We'd like to truly thank you for loyalty and patronage of Franks Hair Piece Parlour this past year"  Frank  "F**K Off."

Fortunately, the invention of the remote control has done wonders for my stress levels when watching tv and there's always CBC on the radio.

I could literally go on and on for hours, but those tires aren't going to remove themselves from the back of my car.