Tired of Losing Tire Sales? Here's How to Keep Customers Coming Back

You've seen it happen. A loyal customer needs tires, but instead of coming to you, they head straight to the local tire shop. Not only do you lose the tire sale, but now that tire shop is pitching them on all the other services you've been planning. Let's stop this from happening.

The Simple Truth About Tire Sales

Here's something that might surprise you: 70% of customers buy tires from the first person who offers them. That's right—just by being first to mention tires, you're already winning the game.

Your Daily Tire Sales Gameplan

Step 1: Make Every Walkaround Count

Start doing walkarounds if you aren't already (yes, really!). Every single car, every single time. Even the new ones. Here's your quick checklist:

• Turn those wheels left

• Break out the tread depth gauge

• Look for weird wear patterns

Step 2: Use This Simple Traffic Light System

When talking to customers about their tires, keep it simple:

Green Light: "Your tires are in great shape. Just remember, when you need new ones, we'll get you the best price right here."

Yellow Light: "Your tires are at ___/32, about halfway there. Let me grab you a quote now so you're not caught off guard later."

Red Light: "I'm seeing 2/32 here, which isn't safe. We've got [mention your current deal] going on. Want to stick with [their current brand]?"

Pro tip: Don't ask if they want a tire quote. Just make it part of your normal conversation after you've handled their immediate concerns.

Step 3: Always Give Two Options

Think of it like a restaurant menu:

1. The Familiar Choice: Quote them the exact tires they're running now. If they're rolling on Michelins, they might want to stick with what they know.

2. The Budget-Friendly Option: Show them the most economical choice that still meets their needs. Better yet, tell them you've already checked competitor prices—they'll love that you did the legwork.

Make every quote complete with:

• Nitrogen fill (if you offer it)

• Lifetime alignment (if available)

• Free rotation program

• Any current promotions

Step 4: Close Like a Pro

Instead of saying "credit card" (which makes everyone cringe), try this: "Interested in our 12 months same-as-cash payment plan?"

Have those applications ready to go, highlighted where they need to sign. Once they start filling it out, you're practically done.

Step 5: Follow Up (Because They Won't)

Create a follow-up system that works:

• Red status tires? Call within 1-2 days

• Yellow status? Set a 4-month reminder

Here's the Real Secret

The big money isn't in the tire margins—it's in keeping customers coming back to YOU for everything else. Think of tire sales as your customer loyalty program.