Bob Ulrich

Editor

Bob Ulrich was named Modern Tire Dealer editor in August 2000. He joined the magazine in 1985 as assistant editor, and has been responsible for gathering statistical information for MTD's "Facts Issue" since 1993. He has won numerous awards for editorial and feature writing, including five gold medals from the International Automotive Media Association. Bob earned a B.A. in English literature from Ohio Northern University and has a law degree from the University of Akron.

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Used tires are not abused tires

By: Bob Ulrich

When I hear the phrase "used tires," I always think of affordable alternatives to new tires. I never think "scrap tires," which, by their very description, are unusable.

I bring up the topic because since the beginning of the year, Tire King, a used-tire dealership based in Akron, Ohio, has been advertising "Good used tires" for $25 each (mounted and balanced) in the Akron Beacon Journal. Sometimes the ads are full-page ads, with type almost as large as a tire.

In business about a year, Tire King also offers new tires, but doesn't stock them. If a customer wants new tires, Kauffman Tire, a local distributor, delivers them.

But make no mistake, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, the dealership sells a lot more used than new tires. And they are doing well enough to buy full-page newspaper ads.

From time to time, we hear talk of legislation that attempts to ban the sale of used tires. I think that is rubbish. (Rubbish? Who am I, my grandmother?) Tire dealers are tire experts. They know how to inspect tires and when they are safe enough to sell.

Are properly inspected tires safe? Sure. They certainly are safer than bald tires, and they give low-income families an option.

Remember a few years ago when Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC announced it would stop selling used tires at its 2,200 company owned stores? I'll bet the store managers weren't too happy with that decision.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association, which is made up of nearly all of the tire manufacturers in the United States, isn't against the sale of used tires, although it warns that there is potential risk in purchasing used consumer tires "that have an uncertain or unknown history."

I agree with that. In other words, it's up to the tire dealer to determine the history and condition of the used tire. It puts the responsibility on the tire dealer, where it belongs. Want to sell a used tire? Make sure it is safe.

Even Sean Kane, president of Safety Research and Strategies Inc., is not against selling used tires as long as strict standards are adopted.

Three years ago, I received a letter from a tire dealer who sold used tires and was complaining about some bad press. He had been selling used and new tires for more than 30 years.

"Out of the 600-700 used tires we sell each year, rarely do I get one back because of a failure due to it being used," he wrote. "All the used tires we sell have at least 50% or more tread on them, and are thoroughly inspected for cuts, punctures, improper repairs (plugs), blisters, etc., before they are installed.

"All of our customers trust us and the tires we sell them, new and used."

Check the Internet and you'll see plenty of listings for used tires. Howard Tire Co. sells them in Central Pennsylvania, while Atlanta Used Tires.com sells them in metropolitan Atlanta. Border Tire Inc. in the Rochester, N.Y., area reclaims them from car dealerships and sells them.

Bestusedtires.com asks "Why buy new?" and claims it is the largest online used tire store in the U.S. All-Used-Tires.com sells used auto parts as well as used tires. Used Tires Inc. and its usedtires.com Web site wholesale used tires.

I think you see my point. There are a lot of dealers out there who seem to know what they are doing when it comes to successfully and safely selling used tires. So when the government once again feels the need to legislate, and maybe ban, their sale, I just hope the powers that be ask tire dealers what they think first.

Related Topics: Legislation, RMA, Sean Kane, Used tires, Used Tires Inc.

comments

1. Jackson | June 04, 2010 at 01:05PM
   I don't suppose the tire companies would mind. Or insurance companies. Because if a used tire fails and hurts someone they will also be on the hook. I'm sure tire dealers can do a visual inspection, but most don't have xray machines or can absolutely know a tire's history.

2. Carl | June 16, 2010 at 08:15PM
   Jackson, If that were the case then why did Firestone get a pass on the spare tire that was not sold to the customer of American Tire Depot in California but installed by an installer that failed to recognize the tire had been recalled years before he started in the business?

3. Eldon | July 20, 2010 at 07:14AM
   I think it is good practice to stay away from the sales of used tires. its better to be safe than sorry. I am in business to sell new tires.

4. ray | February 11, 2011 at 10:15AM
   used tires unsafe? what about new? does anyone rememmber the "safe" new tire recall by firestone? i've never bought a new tire and never had any problems whatsoever the only ones who have problems with used tires are the new tire suppliers

5. Scott | October 06, 2011 at 02:25PM
   This story was written well over a year ago, but with the economy going in the tank, I am sure second guessing selling used tires. I have never been a big fan of it, but I get more phone calls in a day for used tires than I do new ones!! Did I miss the boat?.......