Goodyear exiting the repair business

[bantar]

It seems that Goodyear corporate stores are changing their business model from Tire and Repair Service centers to strictly tires.   The franchise stores are free to continue their old business model.    Around here, the corporate stores are going to close down on January 27 for 2-3 weeks for a major remodel and possibly? rebranding.   They will sell tires and do alignments, but will not be able to align if they need repair parts.   I've not seen any official statements on this, so I don't really know more than the scuttlebutt.

It looks like Hunter will have a great year this year as a result.  I saw a brand new Hunter Revolution tire machine in one of the local stores already.

I stand to benefit from this change as we may see some of their repair business.   Since I don't sell tires, I'm not a Goodyear competitor, which allows them to safely refer repair business to us.   Almost everyone else around here sells tires.   We refer quite a few folks to tire-only stores, so Goodyear will now be on my referral list.

[tyrguy]

On 12/12/2018 at 6:55 PM, bantar said:

It seems that Goodyear corporate stores are changing their business model from Tire and Repair Service centers to strictly tires.   The franchise stores are free to continue their old business model.    Around here, the corporate stores are going to close down on January 27 for 2-3 weeks for a major remodel and possibly? rebranding.   They will sell tires and do alignments, but will not be able to align if they need repair parts.   I've not seen any official statements on this, so I don't really know more than the scuttlebutt.

It looks like Hunter will have a great year this year as a result.  I saw a brand new Hunter Revolution tire machine in one of the local stores already.

I stand to benefit from this change as we may see some of their repair business.   Since I don't sell tires, I'm not a Goodyear competitor, which allows them to safely refer repair business to us.   Almost everyone else around here sells tires.   We refer quite a few folks to tire-only stores, so Goodyear will now be on my referral list.

Don't think this is true. The guys that bought my shop are primarily Goodyear and they haven't heard anything like this. Maybe getting confused with the Goodyear "Just Tires" concept where there will be retail storefronts that look like a phone store and do no installation. You go there and buy the tires and then set an appointment up to get them installed at a company store or Goodyear independent.

[bantar]

As best I can tell, this is indeed happening.   Sources are all unofficial, so reliability / quality of the information is suspect.    With such a big change, I was sure that I would find news articles noting this.   It looks like they are doing a good job of keeping it quiet for the big reveal.   Once the employees were told that their jobs are being terminated or altered, the news started to leak out.

Since hearing the news, I've popped in and spoken with some of the managers that I know in corporate stores.   And, at least one has a sign posted on his front door for their remodel.  They have already laid out severance plans to technicians and have dealers calling asking for technician referrals.   They have a plan to refer out warranty work to nearby franchise stores.   I don't see this being akin to the Just Tires concept as these are large 10-12 bay stores.    Some stores have already received new equipment and some are expecting it soon.

I don't see this as gloom and doom.  It appears to be a business strategy change.   I wish them well.   My goal is simply staying abreast of what they are doing as it may impact our operation.    I waited for a while after hearing of the changes before posting this because I'm not a reliable / in-the-know source.   Now that it's an open secret.... and no information here, I'm sharing what I've heard.

[tyrguy]

My people made some calls and apparently this is only currently happening in the Dallas/FW area. Involves less than 20 stores. A pilot program? Possibly.

[theboss20]

In many areas Pep Boys have taken over the existing Goodyear Stores....this is NOT a good thing especially in markets where they have never been before...

[bantar]

Indeed, the corporate Goodyear stores are changing brand to JustTires.   I've attached a recent picture of a local store.  I think it should be opening pretty soon.    @tyrguythought JustTires might be a retail sales front only, but it's a full-fledged tire store.  The stores are being completely remodeled and are getting new tire equipment and will keep their alignment racks.    Google maps shows the Goodyear locations as permanently closed.  It appears that they've not rolled out their online presence just yet and no advertising yet either.  https://www.justtires.com/  shows to be a Goodyear business, but there is only one store and it's in Waco.  This store is selling more than just tires, so it's a bit confusing given their branding.   I hear (rumors as I have no real info) that the Dallas stores will only be selling tires and performing alignments.   They will not install adjustment parts on an alignment nor will they replace wear items such as control arms, struts, etc.   The alignment will only adjust what is adjustable or they will refer them away.

And a bit of a rant, a "customer" added one location to Google Maps and gave it a 1 star review!   Likely this was for not being open when she tried to visit the old Goodyear location. 

[theboss20]

In other markets the Goodyear locations have been sold to Pepboys...