Free Beer, Internet Lies, and Falken Bares All

FREE WHAT?!?

As far as an advertising gimmick, what could be better? Walking into our local Fuddruckers burger joint and I saw the big sign. Was it a joke? Must be. But as Dad always said, “He who hesitates is lost.” So I asked the lady at the counter, “What’s the deal with the free beer?” She said, “Yup, it’s free but it’s only Coors Light.” Not the best sales pitch, but I’ll have one, thank you ma’am. I googled it later and learned that they offer a free cup just to be friendly. What is your shop’s marketing direction this year? We’re not advocating the distribution of free brews but there are some basics that we’d be glad to go over with you. We’re fortunate enough to have our own group here that exists to help our dealers promote their shops. Brandy and team helped 158 dealers with 519 projects last year. Love those stats! What could be a better use of our time than helping our dealers with their goals and projects? Call or email back to talk more after you see some examples by clicking HERE .

June Cooper promos or... what's in for me?

Summer 2019 Consumer Rebate: Consumers get $50 back on sets of CS5, SRX and RS3-G1 during the month of June.

Medallion dealers Double Bucks: AT3, STT Pro, S/T Maxx, Evolution H/T. This is the second month in a row for the AT3 on promotion and this is the first Evolution on Double Bucks in 2019. Something to make everyone happy.

What's up with Falken?

Execs Richard Smallwood and Rick Brennan spilled all the corporate secrets in front of Tire Business Publisher Dave Zielasko a few weeks ago. Subjects included new CUV tires, growth in their OE business, production challenges at their Tonawanda (near Buffalo NY) factory, their $80 million dollar investment to increase production, new H/T line, new replacement for ZE950 line, 1,396 dealers have attended the Falken Academy and Falken’s focus on the most important person in the whole chain - THE PERSON ON THE COUNTER MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION TO THE CONSUMER. Catch up on the whole story by clicking HERE .

Internet tire education?

“I read it online...” or “I’ve been doing my research...” Sound familiar? Our friend Andy Torres from Wilson Tire in Lebanon NH relays the following story: “I actually had a customer share this website with me thinking he was making an informed decision based on empirical data requesting the top ranked tire on this list. Interestingly, the Cooper Starfire RS-C 2.0 fell in at number 7 on this list, and also at number 3...” If your customers stumble across Auto Quarterly for their tire research, like Andy’s did, you'll be in for some deprogramming. Apparently this bastion of higher learning does not know the difference between a wheel and a tire. But that doesn’t stop them from making specific recommendations. Here’s a sample quote: “your drive may not be as quiet in some cases. Why? After a couple of miles they may give off a bad vibration. If you increase your vehicle speed be prepared to experience a bit of shaking. And as time goes on the rattling sound may intensify—even after rotation.” And this is from one of their top 10 rated tires. For a good laugh and some general nonsense read their Top 10 tire reviews by clicking HERE.

I guess you have to figure that whatever consumers think they know, will need some exploring. And if you’re one of those that says, “I get them whatever they want...” well - they are your customers, you might need to protect them from themselves. Thanks Andy!

Thank you for your continued support!

Jeff Short

VP of Sales

717.314.4949