Has there been a hotter topic of late than Michelin North America Inc.’s decision to sell BFGoodrich tires online in the greater Charlotte, N.C., area?
Not since Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. became the first tire manufacturer to sell online has a topic ellicited such a negative response from tire dealers.
One in particular is having a particularly hard time with it. Not surprisingly, his dealership is located at Ground Zero. Not surprisingly, he is a Michelin dealer.
What separates him from some of the other dealers is how passionately he sells Michelin. As a result, his comments -- more than 2,000 words worth -- carry a lot of weight.
In his latest blog, Modern Tire Dealer Editor Bob Ulrich relays the dealer's thoughts about and frustration with the decision to his fellow tire dealers. Here's how his letter starts:
"Michelin's decision to go into the retail business is a slap in the face to the independent dealer and actually short changes the customer in the long run."
To find out who the dealer is and read the rest of his letter, check out Ulrich's latest blog, "Michelin Dealer Says Enough Is Enough."
What are your thoughts on the subject? Does the dealer have valid concerns? Is selling online something Michelin needs to do? Can they both be correct?
Read the blog, then let us know what you think by leaving a comment.
