Posted on 08/19/2008 9:13:20 PM PDT by Lorianne
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said Tuesday that it would close 92 money-losing retail stores with about 500 full-time workers by the end of the year.
The move by the biggest U.S. tire maker affects about 11% of Goodyear outlets in North America and will result in charges of about $30 million, half of which will be recorded in the third quarter. The stores, all company owned, had combined annual losses of about $9 million, the Akron, Ohio-based company said.
"Taking this action now will allow us to focus our attention on locations with the best long-term potential," said Scott Vogel, vice president of retail operations in North America.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I hope everyone with Chinese tires on their car runs off in the ditch .
While I hate to see businesses close, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club are killing the stand-alone tire shops. I wouldn’t buy tires anywhere else. Prices there are WAY cheaper, even without my wife’s 10% employee discount.
Speaking of Goodyear... that was OEM equipment on my Bullitt Mustang, but they wore out way too fast (and I don't drive aggressively)... I switched to Kumho brand and I've been very happy... good performance in wet/dry and very acceptable wear rating.
Stores like Firestone and Goodyear are WAY too expensive on tires.
Well, it’s a sad trend of the times to see these stores go out of business. But it’s true, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Costco type warehouse clubs offer great deals on tires. Maybe the Goodyear stores have the old business model of high overhead, and just can’t compete.
Also, doesn’t Goodyear sell most of its tires to car manufacturers, as opposed to these stores?
I used Goodyear unidirectional tires for a while. I found out why they didn't come with a tread wear warranty - they didn't last very long at all. I switched to various European companies.
I have been very happy with Goodyear tires on my cars. I have been getting good miles out of them.
You could be right-I see a LOT of Goodyear tires on new cars.
Perhaps we don’t get enough rain here for Aquatreads. They may last longer in wetter areas. But the lack of a tread wear warranty on them was a clue that Goodyear didn’t think much of their longevity, either.
I always run Goodyear tires. I do it to get the best products and to help my county. Goodyear makes great tires.
There are a lot of dirt roads here and a lot of the people who drive on them swear by the Kumhos.
Spent 2K on F1 Supercar runflats for my Vette.
Did my part! :)
There’s an Obama joke in there somewhere.
Walmart has good prices for tires. I buy cooper b/c they’re still made in the USA.
With the frequent coupons, I get Goodyears and Coopers at perfectly acceptable prices. Tire insurance has always paid off for me as well.
My local Goodyear store also does all the mechanicals on my cars. I’m very satisfied with them. They’re part of a local, multi-store franchise so I hope they stay open.
Could depend on what level of tire you buy. My car came with Aquatreds and I have been using them since - very well. They are expensive though.
Just paid $400 to a GY store for two Comfort Tread tires in the front of my luxury car...80,000 miles...got the “warranty”, etc. and an alignment...is that a rip off?
We’re still running on several sets of recalled Firestone tires we picked up real cheap! Two sets to go!
I don't think this has anything to do with the Chinese. It doesn't make sense to go to a single brand store. By me, BJ's and Costco have the best prices on tires, including Goodyear - I haven't bought tires anywhere else for more than 10 years.
Never tried Goodyear, but switched to one of Continental’s (German) off-brand tires with a 70K mile treadwear warranty. Used tirerack.com to get them for $87/tire.
Switched from the Italian Pirelli P6, which only lasted 35K.
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