Have your experienced any Goodyear fallout?

[JimO]

I do not want to divide our group by introducing a social/political topic but the recent situation that occurred during a Goodyear training session is interesting. I assume most of you are aware but for those that are not this is the condensed version: During an employee training session a Goodyear employee utilized a slide presentation indicating that BLM and LGBT shirts/pins/hats are acceptable while at work but All Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, MAGA and other politically affiliated slogans or materials are unacceptable while at work. Another employee took a picture of this training slide, released it to the press and ultimately President Trump retaliated with this Tweet - 

Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES - They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS. Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!)

Again I do not want to divide us but I am wondering if any of you have been faced with a customer who declined a Goodyear tire purchase because of the above information. In my shop this past Friday a husband and wife came in requesting four new tires with “Anything but Goodyear” as their only requirement. I asked if this restriction was based on a past poor experience with Goodyear tires and they quickly referred to the training slide incident outlined above as being the reason. What have you experienced in your shops?

NOTE - The the husband and wife mentioned above did purchase four Cooper tires from me on Friday for those that are curious.

[bantar]

I don't sell tires, but we inspect them, so I'm always recommending tire stores that I trust, 1-2 times daily.  Just Tires (Goodyear rebranded) was my first recommendation.   We no longer recommend Goodyear / JustTires.  I threw away their business cards.

My main give back to the community is being a proud supporter of our Police.  Their work is invaluable and we depend on them.  I give all Police Officers significant deep discounts on their personal vehicles.   We have officers from many local police departments, Texas State Troopers, Texas Rangers, US Marshall's, and so on.  The undercover gang officers are incredible.  They are in the thick of it all the time.   It's probably not safe to rob us during business hours!   Goodyear took a stand against multiple topics on their Diversity Training slide and the anti-police sentiment is not consistent with our values.   It angered me greatly.  Then they double-downed with their non-apology. 

It's a shame that some in our society anti-police.  Without them, we would not have a civil society.  I had one lady come in with a back seat full of freshly cleaned Sheriff uniforms for her husband.  When I asked her about them, she was really nervous and didn't want anyone to know that she was a police family member.  I took good care of her and thanked her for what her family is doing for the community.

I've had a few discussions with police officers on this topic, but none from customers, as I don't sell tires.  I've seen a number of forum posts and videos of shop owners with similar reaction to Goodyear's actions, including one guy taking down their sign and throwing it out.

A bit off topic, but the Dallas DA is not prosecuting the criminals that the police are arresting, so one of the US District Attorneys has designated one or more sections of Dallas to be Federal Protection area (not sure of the terminology).  Then, the folks arrested by the State Troopers in this area are getting charged Federally instead of locally in Dallas.   This means 10-20 years for crimes that might otherwise be lighter sentences at the city / state level.  The Governor / State Troopers / US District Attorney are trying to keep things under control even when the local jurisdictions are showing anti-police sentiment.   Austin is about to be flooded with State Troopers given their defund-the-police actions & discussions.

[Joe Marconi]

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[KAH]

Tire sales only account for 20% of my business. That being said, I immediately put out a marketing piece reminding the public that I have a large selection of Cooper Tires in stock. We love Mastercraft tires! As a rule I stay clear of political topics. Sometimes I think I’m weak because I fear taking a stand professionally. I watched the video of the Goodyear dealer removing his sign and was almost jealous of his confidence and conviction. As small business owners we know the risk he took.  
 

[dfrisby]

I sell tires. my wholesaler doesn't have Goodyear anymore. No love lost here. But I do find it kind of funny that "Goodyear" is in a scandal in one of the least "goodyears" of my lifetime.

 

[Guest]

Goodyear cancelled themselves