OT: Do you price shop
 

There is 2 Places where I buy tires from....
And previously, only 1 place where I buy Pads From.

Does customer service (if and when you need it) count if you spend a bit more ?

My most recent purchase for both tires or brake related items (caliper seals), I ended up not being a ~loyal~ customer. Saved 1/3rd on rubber, and about the 50% less on boots/seals.

Is customer loyalty overrated these days.....

I tend to think about these things a little different. My work involves digital sales for Xbox and I tend to put my shopping in that framework. Meaning:

• Durables - Things you buy then own and don't (generally) need to buy again. Think parts. My transactions tend to be one-off as I don't intend to buy again and thus I am pretty cut-throat on getting the best price, customer loyalty be damned.
• Consumables - Things you buy then use up - tires, oil, gas. I price-hunt but will often trade convince and reliability for modest price changes. I'm regular, but not loyal.
• Services - Mechanics, detailers, etc. I feel these are far more relationship based and while I'm not immune to pricing I will focus on building a relationship and be loyal to it. Decent price gets me in the door, good service keeps me there without looking. Also helps to have continuity and understanding of my vehicle/needs.

I pretty much have had BBK's on all the rides and without alluding to the shop in question, I can't think of any other place that will just answer a question sent via email, whether it's 9AM on a business day, or maybe 3PM on a Sunday. Yeah, i'm guilty at fault for just presuming customer service was on par with pricing - until my most recent purchased, where a quick search led to a 50% net savings, which is pretty huge, for all intents and purposes.

A penny saved is a penny spent elsewhere

For Parts and other car bits, I tend to check between a couple places, my local parts shop, and a few online places, maybe a wrecker if its not a wearing part!. if I have time to wait, (ie not an urgent repair) I will usually go online, as price + shipping cant be beat!
if its a 'consumable' such as fuel, oil or tires (and beer!) I go for quality, price and convenience (not going to drive a mile to save a dollar!)
for tools and such, I buy the best I can afford. usually with the prospect of using them again. in the case of wrenches and socket, I only purchase ones with a lifetime warranty and that are available locally for me. (ie I don't have to send in my old broken one, wait 2 weeks. then pick up the new shipped one at a service depot or other inconvenient location.) I use my tools almost daily! not every one, (save my 3/8 drive socket and 10mm deep socket!! ) But I like to have good tools that I can count on! (not that cheap socket that fails and causes me to break my nose, because I ended up punching my face when it breaks!!) don't ask how I know this!!
I do value customer service, it gets me in the door, if the prices are good/reasonable, I stay and purchase what I need! I understand that my parts guy needs to make some money too!

Well put....and I agree.