Mobile VS Tire Center. A Comparison.

Here we will run down a quick comparison between Momentum Tire and your classic “tire center” style tire shop, for a typical 4 tire installation off rims (mount, balance and install tires).

Convenience

Tire Center

You will need to set an appointment, then drop off your vehicle at the location. A higher end shop or dealership may offer a valet service, or you will need to arrange a ride, both there and back. Or you can wait in the waiting area for 1-2+ hours.

Momentum Tire

After your appointment is made, your vehicle just needs to be present at your home or office. That’s it, you can relax, work, play, sleep, whatever you want. You don’t even need to come outside (though checking out our service van is encouraged!)

Winner = Momentum Tire

Cost

Tire Center

Tire centers and shops typically run $100 (cheap) to $140 (well known national tire center) to $190+ (high end boutique shop, dealership), and may offer discounts and promos with new tires.

Momentum Tire

We start at $150 with the service, experience and equipment of a high end shop. We also discount installation for multiple vehicles and when buying a new set of tires. With the added time-value savings, the cost can range from comparable to much less.

Winner = Depends on quality

Advice

Tire Center

If you’re looking for new tires, you may be able to get advice from your service advisor. Depending on their experience level or how busy they are, they may be able to help you, or just try to sell you whatever tires they have in stock.

Momentum Tire

At Momentum Tire we are always here to help you choose the best tires for your situation and happy to walk you through the different options. We are your personal tire advisor as well as your technician, with the experience to back it up.

Winner = Momentum Tire

Experience

Tire Center

Tire centers, shops and dealerships can be a mixed bag and generally employ a few licensed technicians, and a few apprentices or unlicensed tire techs with varying amounts of experience. According to AMVIC (the automotive licensing body of Alberta), a shop legally only needs to employ one licensed Red Seal technician to oversee all others. Since customers are not allowed to enter the shop, you won’t know who’s working on your vehicle and have to hope its done right.

Momentum Tire

Our owner and technician is a fully licensed red seal technician with 18 years experience working with luxury and performance vehicles. This means he’s used to mounting difficult tires, run flats, dealing with TPMS systems and more. He employs the same care to every vehicle he works on, as he has been trained to do since starting his career.

Winner = Momentum Tire

Tire Availability

Tire Center

A tire center will sometimes have the tires you need in stock, depending on the size of the facility. If not they can usually have the tires ordered the same day or within a few days.

Momentum Tire

As a mobile shop, we do not stock tires. However, most tires are available within 1 hour of order placement, and if not, then within a few days.

Winner = Tire Center

Tire Pricing

Tire Center

Tire centers will often have the most competitive prices, followed by small tire shops and then dealerships. Online retailers are often the cheapest, but aren’t always reliable, sometimes charge shipping and/or duties on top and you may have to wait 1-2 weeks.

Momentum Tire

At Momentum tire, our prices are on par with tire centers and often comparable to online retailers. You won’t be “paying a premium” on tires for mobile service. And we’ll bring your new tires with us along with disposing of any used tires, so there’s no extra work on your part.

Winner: Tie

Satisfaction

Tire Center

Nobody really likes getting their tires done. The inconvenience of taking in their vehicle, fear of being upsold or talked down to (especially for those with little automotive knowledge), and distrust in the quality of work can often put a damper on their experience.

Momentum Tire

At Momentum Tire, our customers are highly satisfied with our friendliness, experience and advice, quality of work done, competitive pricing, and convenience of having their tires done at home or work.

Winner: Momentum Tire

Conclusion

Whether you’re just finding out about Momentum Tire’s mobile service, or you’re worried that a mobile shop is either more expensive or less equipped, its easy to put those worries to rest. Momentum Tire is the superior choice for your next tire service.