Are specialty shops worth the time and effort?

We’ve all been subjected to it: Some friend brags about the incredible deal they just got on winter tires, an audio system, detailing, etc. They supposedly paid half of what your last similar purchase cost, but is it really worth the time and effort to travel from one supplier to another in search of the unbeatable deal? Well, like most things in business and life, it depends.

TIRES

During peak winter and summer tire buying seasons, shops will blow advertising budgets trying to convince you to select them as your rubber supplier. But with minimal margins (on average, tires bring retailers less than half the markup of all other parts), why bother? Well, these shops are mining for gold and the opportunity to get your vehicle on their hoist — to sell other services and parts.

Yes, shoppers at branded retailers can benefit from increased buying power, but often at the expense of reduced choices. For example, you’d likely not find Bridgestone tires being sold at a Goodyear store.

But in the end, even buying power won’t make a big difference. On a $150 product, for example, it often turns out to be a difference of less than $10. Do some comparison shopping, but don’t defect from your regular shop for only a few bucks.

AUDIO SYSTEMS

As infotainment systems become more integrated into dashboards, choices for consumers are dropping. But specialty audio shops are still the best choice when looking to improve a new vehicle’s sound system, or upgrade an older ride. Few general repair shops, or even dealerships, have the resources that a good audio shop can bring to the table. The notion of dealership system upgrades has pretty much gone, and often it’s about asking the right questions, such as “What exactly about your current system don’t you like?” With the right consultant, you can often get what you’re after without breaking the bank.

TRAILER HITCHES

If your mainstream vehicle has custom hitches available, just about any shop can do a good job at a fair price. But there are exceptions, especially when it comes to wiring and trailer-brake controllers. A brief review of some popular hitch-maker websites can determine if your vehicle is hitch friendly. If you only require a common, four-pin wiring setup for trailers without electric brakes, plug-andplay units are readily available to just about any shop.

It can be a different matter for the seven-pin style. If you can’t find hitches or wiring kits for your vehicle, a trailer-hitch specialty shop is probably the best route to take.