During the late 1950s, Modern Tire Dealer published a monthly column called "The sale that taught me the most," in which independent tire dealers recounted their most profound sales experiences.

As you continue to build your social media presence, don't forget to keep things, well, social. At least that's what Barry Reese recommends.

When it comes to in-store promotions, sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ideas. Just ask Clayton Snow, owner of Clayton's Tire Pros in South Jordan, Utah.

By now, you've probably heard about Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. You may even be using social media at your dealership. A lot has been written about what social media can do to enhance your business.

While there are a lot of unknowns about the new health care reform law, one potentially very good thing has come out of it: the creation of state insurance 'exchanges' that will let businesses with fewer than 50 employees pool together to buy insurance.

We've written about tire dealers installing energy efficient lights, windows and other things designed to reduce their shops' power consumption and impact on the environment. Would you believe there's now an eco-friendly, in-ground vehicle lift?

Dick Morgan, founder of management consulting firm Morgan Marketing Solutions, talks with independent tire dealers on a regular basis. He recently spoke with several dealers about the challenges they're facing and what they're doing to overcome them.

Well, baseball season is finally over, and while I never like seeing the Yankees take the pennant, at least the Red Sox didn’t make it to the final round. (Not that the Cleveland Indians are going to get within a million miles next year!) Anyway, with the ‘09 season behind us, I thought it would be fun to look at some tire dealer “all-stars.”

Two weeks ago, www.moderntiredealer.com broke the story that the American Automobile Association will soon acquire Bob Sumerel Tire Co. Inc.'s retail business. Now another outside entity, Pep Boys, has entered the tire dealership acquisition game.

The sale of Bob Sumerel Tire Co. Inc.’s retail division creates yet another competitor for the independent tire dealer: the American Automobile Association (AAA). Yes, unlikely as it seems, come Nov. 1, the AAA will own 30 former Bob Sumerel tire stores. And there probably will be more.