Author Topic: Tire shortage???? (Read 2448 times)

kevlounik · « **on:** November 27, 2008, 10:47:23 am »

ok can`t find p225 50r17 for a 2008 pontiac g6 in bridgestone or michelin in the montreal or Ottawa what the ?&%? is that?

quadzilla · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2008, 10:49:52 am »

Its called waiting too long? Inventory cost money, if you want to be sure, shop early. Good luck and it looks like you will have to open your options.

safristi · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2008, 10:56:17 am »

sounds like BAD management on the TYRE Companies PART.......knew the new Law in Quebec woz cumin' in tra la la........and underproduced.......LOST SALES MAD CUSTOMERS........

WINTER is officially 3 & 1/2 weeks away TOO...............glad their not in charge of TURKEY & CRANBERRY production......Mmmmm MMMM..........

kevlounik · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2008, 11:01:16 am »

I have to agree with safristi....called a few places in casselman ottawa and they are telling me that they didn`t get as much stock this year cause tire co. sent a lot of their stock to Quebec.............and yes they are missing out on sales cause I`m sure I`m not the only one that waited. getting ready for winter safety shouldn``t be a race and battle between customers.

quadzilla · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2008, 11:11:30 am »

I disagree. Managing inventory year to year is a challenge and expensive. Shops can't carry every size of every tire and the factory can make only so many also.

This is a 'seasonal' product. Ever try to buy a snow blower in July?

safristi · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2008, 11:20:45 am »

they are MADE of RUBBER eh!!!...NOT SNOW.............................i.e they KEEP...1st rule of retail never RUN OUT of a HOT PRODUCT................................don't "THEY" the companies KNOW the Car population and the various sizes of wheels "OUT THERE" in FOLK LAND..........poor INV CONTROL................like stores that have dosens of 30 inch pants left over fer SALE @ $5...and the bigger sizes (av size is prolly 40inch plus) are gone in 2 days.....................

don't U LOT say ALL TYRES are SEASONAL..............

tortoise · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2008, 11:22:14 am »

It might be the manufacturers/tire stores fault for not having tires available, but it's definitely the OP's fault for waiting so long.

I'm sure the tire companies did all they could to ramp up production for Quebec but I have to figure there's only so much they could have done with existing factories, employees, etc.

safristi · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2008, 11:23:32 am »

..OH give me a break.....................so they were running 24/7 H a ha ha

tortoise · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2008, 11:43:16 am »

More plausible than your theory that they didn't want to make more money, no?

quadzilla · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2008, 12:17:32 pm »

I think you are over simplifying it. Unless I'm wrong these tires are built at a factory somewhere else probably many, many months ago. Then put on a ship/truck or what ever and shipped to distribution centers. Then from there to specific stores.

Now the guy running the store probably has to put in his order (spring, summer?) and hopes he guesses right. If not, he can call these distribution centers and hope there is still stock around, if so, he can get more, if not, out of luck.

Its a huge process with a lot of educated guessing. Heck, I know of some other products where you have to put your order in for the year and that is it. If you guessed wrong, tough luck.

tortoise · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2008, 12:36:19 pm »

I agree.

I understand why many local suppliers are running out, as you mention. But one would expect the manufacturers would continue to stock the distribution centers as much as production/demand allowed. Were this the case, with demand as it currenlty is the shipping of tires to the distribution center would become the rate determining step.

I think it's a case of too much demand. The popularity of winter tires has been growing significantly over the last 5 years and I don't believe the growth been slowing down. Perhaps the whole supply chain has been underestimating this annual growth and the extra 10% needed by QC was enough to creat a shortage.
Or maybe the manufacturers are limiting supply to affect the supply/demand curve as means of boosting profits.

Squishy · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2008, 01:08:08 pm »

Does it really boost profits, though? A friend of mine purchased a set of Blizzaks last week for a car he just bought - while it was hard to find a shop with stock, prices weren't really inflated. In fact, the model of Blizzak he ended up with were the highest rated on TireRack, and he got them for the same price as a set of Generals from Canadian Tire. Total was just over $700 for four 225/60R16 tires.

random006 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2008, 05:32:40 pm »

Don't forget that some retailers are treated "more equally" than others by the manufacturers, if you believe the independents. According to the shop where I go, Michelins are being sent first to Costco and perhaps one or two other big discount places, then to the rest. Assuming that is correct, it makes sense to tailor one's search accordingly.

That being said, the O.P. really should have started looking earlier. The one exception is that of the newly bought car, in which case the guy is trapped by the supply and demand pressures of a new law in a neighbouring province and people going a just little bit nuts.

safristi · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2008, 05:43:29 pm »

..WOT if ya can't get the lil bitty NUTS OFF?

?.................

......Torque to Me ossifer.....

...i really wanted WINTERS but there were NON LEFT yer HONOUR!!!!....I'm goin' ta HILTON fer some HEAD if this doesn't resolve with 4 OXYCONTIN.......

......oy lay orff....buy some cheap EXCTASY and make Donuts NOT LOVE..................

blur911 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 02, 2008, 07:10:24 am »

Quote from: tortoise on November 27, 2008, 11:22:14 am

It might be the manufacturers/tire stores fault for not having tires available, but it's definitely the OP's fault for waiting so long.

I'm sure the tire companies did all they could to ramp up production for Quebec but I have to figure there's only so much they could have done with existing factories, employees, etc.

No, they didn't ramp up production, in fact the Goodyear factory in Valleyfield Quebec where my Ultra-Grip Ice tires were made has been shut down. All tire plants in North America are at reduced capacities, and we're not making snow tires. Check inventories at the TireRack, it's not just here, there's a real shortage and the tire manufacturers got caught with their pants down.

johngenx · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2008, 10:54:13 am »

This happens EVERY year, just earlier this year. We bought our Forester in late December years ago, and by then I could get a set of snows for it, but selection was crappy (one or two models only) and so we ended up parking the Scoob for parts of the winter and using the old snow-shod car.

Some friends of mine were amazed. "The Forester has AWD!!" Even the Scoob felt downright dangerous on three-season tires.

ovr50 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2008, 12:36:34 pm »

Revived this thread to post my recent experience re winter tire availability.

My sister in Calgary just bot a new Altima Hybrid (hey, it's her car, not my choice!!!), and although they have winter wheels bot and ready to go, they cannot get 4 winter tires in the required size (215/60-16, not an unusual size at all) anywhere in Calgary. Dealer claims the usual suspects this year - Quebec new law, some fire or disruption at one tire plant, and general heavy demand due to winter conditions clear across the country. Calgary is over 1 million ppl, and zero winter tires is crazy.

I called the tire store here that I deal with, as a long-shot, figuring they would not have any either if there were none in Calgary. As it happened, they had JUST rec'd an order of 8 Yokohama Ice Guard 2 winters, plus several sets of Hancooks. They said that was all they got out a larger order that they placed last APRIL!!!!. I grabbed 4 of the Yokos as they were in the proper size and just this morning took them to Purolator to take over to Calgary. Although there is slight extra cost involved (BC tax, plus cost of $107 to Purolator them), sister and hubby are pleased I found these for them.

No winter tires at all in Calgary? Wow.

Lexusfreak · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2008, 12:52:29 pm »

I know of a tire shop in Canada that could very well have inventory remaining & will ship for very reasonable rates. PM me if anyone is interested....there is a better than average chance I can hook you up as these guys are first class.

As it's New Year's Eve....they will be closed until Monday January 5th, 2009 just so you know.

initial_D · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2008, 01:13:09 pm »

Not surprised that there is a big tire shortage, after Christmas,stock is usually next to nil during a regular year. This year is a lot worse.

Order my winters from the local dealer in September.

Noobee · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2009, 09:20:14 pm »

Tire manufacturers only make X amount per year and that's usually in the late spring for a short time. If a dealer or store doesn't get their order in on time or is underestimated then there is a shortage like we have now.