Editorial Comment:

You are certainly starting out by asking the right question: What has changed?

From my own personal experience, I've found that whenever I'm disappointed with the results I get from anything which I use regularly, this is the best starting point, however, I usually start at the end closest to home ... that is I wonder if there's anything which I did that has changed.

I do this because it is easier for me to correct some condition which I might have provoked that it would be to go after a manufacturer or the government to fix something at their end.

So I'd ask myself, in this case if I am driving the same way, at the same speeds, on the same highways, on the same kind of roads, etc, etc to see if there's any thing which might have caused this.

Next, see if there has been any change at the next closest level. Has road maintenance changed? What about weather conditions? Speed limits?

Generally speaking, in the tire business, there had been a tendency for tires to get more and more reliable over the years and I still see no reason to consider that to be changing even though that is a definite possibility. This, to me seems slim, because the makers still guarantee the quality of their tires for 5 to 6 years after their manufacture date. If they were using inferior materials, this would increase their warranty costs and cut their profits ... something no company wants.

The suspicion that Michelin is making tires in China is rather ridiculous to me because all tires sold in the US have a DOT code which shows where they are manufactured and, in addition, they usually even say somewhere on the tire "Made in Country." So, look on the tire and you'll see where they are made.

TG

Editorial Comment:

Although we feel that a local specialized tire dealer is superior to a big box store for tires, we don't necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the preceding comments which suggest nefarious motives behind the actions or policy of Wal-mart. Example: While Walmart might seek the cheapest price possible for a tire, this does not mean that they insist on the lowest quality to get the price down. In fact, it is more likely they would insist on the highest possible quality that could be made at a certain price. Whether they would give highest priority to quality or price is, of course, a different issue.

We appreciate the time Richard has taken to share his views and we publish them because we believe in discussing all issues and allowing readers to form their own conclusions based on the facts presented.

TG

Editorial Comment:

You may be right, or partially right, but this doesn't mean that Walmart, or anyone else is deceiving anyone.

Michelin, like many tire manufacturers, makes a great variety of tires. They have premium, top-of-the-line tires and others which have less exacting standards, and also older designs which they often will sell to mass retailers so they can offer them at a lower price, but which are not promoted by the tire dealers who promote the best.

Also, Michelin, may sell certain tires under private labels but these tires may state on them, in small letters, "made by Michelin".

So when you're comparing tires make sure you are comparing the exact same design, model and size, not just the name Michelin.

I'd be amazed if you find any difference in two tires which are exactly the same Tire Design, Tire Size and Model in two different locations unless one of them happened to be a false imitation. Michelin has too much invested in their reputation to stand for any deception of this type.

TG