Any bad experience that people here have had with this type of service? Anything I should be looking out for?
As ever, TIA
CM
I am exploring the idea of storing our winter tyres in one of these reifen hotels. But as usual, I need a bit of guidance, as this is all new to us. I know this is Switzerland and all, and I am expected to trust that some cowboys are not going to drive on our tyres and all while they should be tucked in for the season.
Most small garages offer this for a pretty reasonable rate. To whose who object "Reasonable rate? The price of storage for a single year is more than 0!" I offer the following:
The small garage owners I know dedicate something between 10 and 20% of their total space to tire storage, and pay a fair bit of money to equip that space with racks specifically for wheel storage. That's 10-20% of their rent, and a CAPEX. Even at 200CHF/set/year, they aren't making money at this.
CM, How much are you willing to pay not to have to load the tires/wheels you've stored in your basement into your trunk/back seat twice a year?
Storing at home is worth it if you change the wheels yourself, but if you're taking the car to a garage to have this done for you, then it is generally easier to just let the garage handle the storage.
The local garage is quoting Fr.140 for the year, with the cleaning included. I believe my neighbour is paying a similar price! Personally, I'd rather pay that price, than seeing OH break his back (our new tyres are chunky, and the boot is high). Last thing I need is a sick man at home; they make trrrible patients!
I believe the storage of the tyres is the right solution, but I do have trust issues . Anything I should look out for when finding a garage? Small versus national garages? Who is liable during storage of the tyres?
I have mine at the car dealer that changes my tyres. Easiest for me, they pick them up when I change tyres and store the other set.
Ummm, don't take this personally, but just what are your trust concerns?
That they'll steal the air in your tires and sell it on the black market?
That they'll take your winter tires, fit them on a racecar and turn them into slicks on a trackday?
If there is a fire then their insurance will cover it (but ask). A flood is more likely than a fire, but most tires are waterproof.
I'm not a big fan of chains and big box stores, take your money to the local small guy. He's generally more aware of the benefits of a symbiotic customer relationship.
We had that and got a very nice brand new set of tyres through their insurance so well worth asking
I think it only costs me 40chf to store mine for the season, they even wash them.(or maybe it was 40 to change them and some other storage fee)
In terms of trust.. Don't be silly
I changed car mid season, popped up to the garage unscheduled in my new car, gave them my new extra wheels, they gave my my old wheels back..
The garage owner didn't need to call around and see who was using them
JohnH, looks like I need to move to Romandie
It is great to read about your stories! I do think of the worst case scenarios, let's call it professional deformation
I too am a master of worst case scenario..I include WCS analyses in every decision! but I'm also good at not caring about many things.
My winter tyres I definitely don't care about, the garage can send them to the moon if they like.
Worst case scenario, the tyres get lost or damaged. Solution, garage replaces them. Even in a crazy worst case scenario where the whole garage simply disappeared without a trace, like abducted by aliens, I'd just buy new tyres
Folks.. Don't care about your tyres..
We store ours at our local garage too, 50F per car.
We just give them a ring when we want the tyres changed, make an appointment et voilà.
Money best spent ever.
Miss Marple, is that per season or for the year?
I agree this is money well spent; I think my concerns about what happens to the tyres while in storage are now dissipating (dissipated?).
Thanks EF
We store ours at the garage where our car is serviced. I think it's chf 40 per year, but not sure. I'm taking the car in next week for the switch, if I remember I'll ask. No problems in 5 years -tires and rims are just fine.
ours are tires on rims - the summer rims have a larger diameter than the winter.
We store ours at the garage too. Nominally 40/year but he waives it for regular customers (i.e. people who get their car serviced there as well as the twice yearly tire swap.)
50 per car per year.
Let me put your mind at ease: our tyres never complained of cold, damp, bad food or lack of love. They seem to be looking forward to their stay there. In fact, they look happier and healthier when we pick them up than when we leave them.
Do they also take in annoying relatives?
"Reifen Hotel"
Is that where mature Swiss ladies set up their chat lines and webcams?
Maybe, I always wondered where the air b.&b concept came from, well they have the air part well covered!
If they are healthy and not too old. They can be a bit picky that way.
Don't joke about such things!
(just happened to me )
My tires spend off season happily next to my car. Most people seem to leave them with the garage. Each to his I guess. Never heard anybody who left them with his garage complain though.
Thanks to all for sharing your experiences; made me feel more at ease leaving the tyres in storage. Too bad we are not in Aargau or Winterthur; the prices round here are a tad higher! In the end, we'll just go for the convenience of the local garage.