How to Start a Tire Store
While there are many national chain tire stores that people can go to, the customer service, knowledge and careful work found at an independent tire shop cannot be matched. Many people prefer to visit independent stores just for these reasons, especially in small to medium-sized cities. Your passion for autos, combined with careful planning, can turn into a very lucrative venture.
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Things You'll Need
- Assumed name certificate
- Tax ID number
- EIN
- Warehouse space
- Liability insurance
- Wholesale tires and products
- Website
Instructions
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Educate yourself about tires, including how to repair them, determining wear and the need for replacement, the best tires for specific road conditions, and how to rotate them. Learn this by taking classes, researching and getting hands-on experience working in a tire shop. Your customers will keep coming back to your store if you prove yourself to be knowledgeable and helpful.
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Obtain an assumed name certificate and tax ID number from your county clerk. If you are going to have two or more employees, obtain a employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS.
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Lease a warehouse space that is at least 2,500 total square feet, with an attached office--this will serve as a waiting area for your customers. Since you will be working on cars, check with the landlord to be sure that the space can be used for automotive work.
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Obtain liability insurance to cover accidents that may occur on the premises of your tire store, along with insurance to cover your employees. Some landlords will not let your rent a space for an automotive business without having business insurance, so check to see what their requirements are.
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5
Go to your local recycle centers and junk yards to see if they have tires that are repairable--you can use these to stock your store and sell to customers, along with new tires. It is important to offer tires in a range of price points to serve customers with different budgets.
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Buy a selection of new, name brand tires wholesale from a retailer such as Tires Wholesale or Roadway Wholesale Tire. Get tires of standard sizes that will fit cars ranging from compacts to SUVs.
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Decide whether you will sell wheels and rims along with your tires. You can get them from the same wholesale suppliers you get tires from. If so, you will have to invest more money initially, but you will also make more profit in the long run--these items are wanted by many customers who patronize tire shops.
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Hire mechanics and salespersons that are knowledgeable about tires and automotives, and that have passed a background check and drug test. Since your employees will be in your customer's cars, along with their personal belongings, you will need to know that they are trustworthy.
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Build an informative website that your potential customers can visit to see your location, contact information, store hours, policies, selection of tires, additional services, and promotional discounts. Websites are very effective marketing tools for tire shops, and they are relatively inexpensive.
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References
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Comments
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momwantsmoney44
Oct 31, 2009
Hi Rhonda, I am a 44-year-old mother of two. I work hard; very hard. While reading my bible, I was looking over a list that GOD had asked me to write seven things that I wanted( the list was written quite sometime ago.) One of which was to start a business. The type of work I do run along the lines of repair work. At that moment I had to get to my computer. I hit on your article. Reading your article gives me a step-by-step outline to get this statred. My children are grown; 19 and 22. It is time to do something for me. I think you understand what I am trying to say. Thanks Girl. I'll keep you posted on how this turns out.
