Your input wanted: buying tires online
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 64
From: Minnesota
Your input wanted: buying tires online
Hi everyone. I am one of the web designers/developers at Dennis Kirk. We're planning on revamping our tire sections of our website. We've been talking about what we think it needs, how to go about it, etc. We've looked at the way other's do it, and frankly, I don't like any of the ways companies sell tires online. So, I'm throwing this out to you... as a customer, when you're shopping for tires, how would you like the website to work?
Thanks in advance,
Jeff
redsuperhawk
Thanks in advance,
Jeff
redsuperhawk
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 53
Well, as a web guy myself, I totally agree with you on the way things are listed right now... it's pretty bad.
The best "system" I've seen/used has been at http://www.tirerack.com in terms of finding out exactly what is available for your vehicle.
I'd probably go about classifying tires into road, track, race, etc... and giving these "classes" a very detailed description (will they do ok at track days, how do they perform in wet weather, is it a good all around tire, etc...). Giving a good amount of sort options would be great as well, but I do feel that tirerack.com sometimes over does it with the sort options. The quicker and easier people can see what products fit their specific vehicle the better IMO.
I like the idea of breaking the database apart into tires that will fit the specified vehicle. I'd say most of the people that have gone with custom rear ends are going to know exactly what they are looking for.
The best "system" I've seen/used has been at http://www.tirerack.com in terms of finding out exactly what is available for your vehicle.
I'd probably go about classifying tires into road, track, race, etc... and giving these "classes" a very detailed description (will they do ok at track days, how do they perform in wet weather, is it a good all around tire, etc...). Giving a good amount of sort options would be great as well, but I do feel that tirerack.com sometimes over does it with the sort options. The quicker and easier people can see what products fit their specific vehicle the better IMO.
I like the idea of breaking the database apart into tires that will fit the specified vehicle. I'd say most of the people that have gone with custom rear ends are going to know exactly what they are looking for.
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Perhaps it's just me.. But all I need or want is a drop down manufactures index. I do 90% of my parts buying on line, and I feed 6 bikes. I know what I want when I log in. I do not want, or believe much of what an advertiser has to say, so really, it's a waste. When I shop at your place, Rocky Mountain, ThumperTalk.com, or any other online store, it’s because I know what I want, and I'm checking to see if you can supply that part.
Bottom line.... I guess, to meet the needs of folks like me.. Please add a simple feature that would accommodate a basic list of what you sell, and or a part number/model search.
Thanks for asking
Bottom line.... I guess, to meet the needs of folks like me.. Please add a simple feature that would accommodate a basic list of what you sell, and or a part number/model search.
Thanks for asking
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Specifically what I don't like about the way it is now, is that you have the front and rear tires listed as separate items, but not listed that way - Pilot Powers for example. Also, the tire sizes are listed wierd. Why not do it the way everyone else does? 120/70-17, not 70/Z/120. Also, it might just be my computer, but the second time I went the the page the drop down wouldn't work. Lastly, not that you have any control or input over this, but as large as DK is, you'd think they have bettter prices on tires.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 111
From: Rockville, MD
Originally Posted by zimm
How about a rider's review section like tirerack.com? Discount for buying a set of front/rear?
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 28
From: Long Beach, CA
Links to tire comparison tests would be nice. As stated above, emulating TireRack would be good. They have a feature where they list tires by popularity ie how many people buy them which is also useful.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 64
From: Minnesota
Thanks for the replies everyone.
TireRack is a great website for car tires. There are a few differences though in bike tires that will require some different thought than just copying their functionality, but I can tell you I have definitely studied what they're doing.
Alot of the responses I've received, from here and elsewhere, are things that I would like to change myself. So at least I know I'm on the right track.
Hawkrider, I'd love to be able to lower the prices, but there's not much I can do in that regard. I guess I can just say remember we'll beat anyone's price on tires by a buck.
Thanks again for the replies, and keep 'em coming if you have more.
Jeff
redsuperhawk
TireRack is a great website for car tires. There are a few differences though in bike tires that will require some different thought than just copying their functionality, but I can tell you I have definitely studied what they're doing.
Alot of the responses I've received, from here and elsewhere, are things that I would like to change myself. So at least I know I'm on the right track.
Hawkrider, I'd love to be able to lower the prices, but there's not much I can do in that regard. I guess I can just say remember we'll beat anyone's price on tires by a buck.
Thanks again for the replies, and keep 'em coming if you have more.
Jeff
redsuperhawk
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 308
Originally Posted by redsuperhawk
Hawkrider, I'd love to be able to lower the prices, but there's not much I can do in that regard. I guess I can just say remember we'll beat anyone's price on tires by a buck.
If you don't do it like tire rack, at least allow people to search by Brand AND/or Size, and then allow the person to "unselect" some brands and/or some tire applications to refine the search.
Personally, I never search for tires (car or motorcycle) specifically by brand, but rather by size and price, then decide which is the best brand/application in my price range.
Another option would be the ability to specify "make model year" and it tell you what tires are available in the sizes to fit your specific bike. But...you've got to have the ability to search by size only, for the people who have modified their bike, or for whatever reason, want to run a "non standard" tire size.
Just my worthless free advice.
Moderate-whore
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,052
From: Leander TX!!
Originally Posted by RPV-Hawk
How about a tire price comparison ticker similar to the one at progressive.com that shows YOUR tire prices compared to other companies tire prices to show that yours are lower. Ideally, having the comparison right on the specific brand/style/size webpage would be awesome, but I know what a pain that would be to update/code.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 308
Originally Posted by cliffhangerstx
so it is more cost effective for them to just say we will beat other deals by a buck...makes sence right....that way they catch more of the market share....
I prefer NOT to do business with companies that charge most people $125, then sell it to you for $99 just because you found it elsewhere for $100. I'll buy it from the guy who listed it at $100 to begin with. I'll spend the $1 on a retailer that has the cajone's to list the low price in the first place. That's the guy who deserves the business and the market share.
There's more to a purchase than price. Much more than saving "a buck".
If DK or any other website cant or WONT list their "lowest price" for everyone to see, they are a company I do not want to do business with. If they can't compare their prices to others? What are they afraid of? Oh yeah, loosing market share...
Moderate-whore
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,052
From: Leander TX!!
Originally Posted by RPV-Hawk
When I've got to go find the lowest price first, and then prove it to them? For a buck? Puck that!
I prefer NOT to do business with companies that charge most people $125, then sell it to you for $99 just because you found it elsewhere for $100. I'll buy it from the guy who listed it at $100 to begin with. I'll spend the $1 on a retailer that has the cajone's to list the low price in the first place. That's the guy who deserves the business and the market share.
There's more to a purchase than price. Much more than saving "a buck".
If DK or any other website cant or WONT list their "lowest price" for everyone to see, they are a company I do not want to do business with. If they can't compare their prices to others? What are they afraid of? Oh yeah, loosing market share...
I prefer NOT to do business with companies that charge most people $125, then sell it to you for $99 just because you found it elsewhere for $100. I'll buy it from the guy who listed it at $100 to begin with. I'll spend the $1 on a retailer that has the cajone's to list the low price in the first place. That's the guy who deserves the business and the market share.
There's more to a purchase than price. Much more than saving "a buck".
If DK or any other website cant or WONT list their "lowest price" for everyone to see, they are a company I do not want to do business with. If they can't compare their prices to others? What are they afraid of? Oh yeah, loosing market share...
Moderate-whore
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,052
From: Leander TX!!
Originally Posted by RPV-Hawk
cliffhangerstx
Sorry, Wasn't directed at you.
It was directed to the retailers!
Sorry, Wasn't directed at you.
It was directed to the retailers! 
....and then pay me for using there product....but since that aint gonna happen, we should all just look out for the best deals, and pass them on to our fellow bikers....so we can spend more time riding and less time surfing for the deals....can I get a ^5........
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