Comments on: Can Labels Help Prevent Buyer's Remorse?

By: Moderator

Moderator — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:45:31 +0000

What do you think about BarbaraB’s suggestion for a dedicated internet terminal provided by tire retailers? Would an NHTSA-specific “kiosk” be useful to consumers who can’t (or don’t care to) look up tire information on their mobile devices?

By: FTIQ

FTIQ — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:17:01 +0000

I agree with BarbaraB about websites only being useful for some customers. Sure, if you realize you need new tires, you can do research online before going and getting them. But if you get a flat tire, put on the spare, and drive right to the tire store for a replacement, you’re not going to swing by home to check out the NHTSA’s website first. Or if you go to get your oil changed or your car inspected and the mechanic points out you need new tires, you’re not going to be able to access the site at that point, unless you have an iPhone or Blackberry. I know retailers will have posters up, so those should contain all the relevant information, rather than expecting people to go check the internet first.

By: Moderator

Moderator — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:16:15 +0000

Requiring tire manufacturers to have printouts of the ratings is an interesting idea. In the proposed rule, NHTSA specifically asked for suggestions for ensuring that consumers receive the new tire rating information.

Regarding the proposal that the NHTSA adopt an Energy-Star like system in addition to the label, would consumers understand that the Energy-Star like system refers solely to the tire’s fuel efficiency?

NHTSA is also considering whether to include a combined rating that would convert all three metrics on the above label – fuel efficiency, safety, and durability – into one overall rating. Should the agency adopt such a combined rating? Would consumers find a combined rating useful when purchasing replacement tires?

By: BarbaraB

BarbaraB — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:05:56 +0000

In order for the poster to be beneficial there needs to be a basis for assessing comparative ratings on these three criteria. There should be a printout of ratings at the store for the tires carried by the retailer. Otherwise it is impossible to comparison shop in any intelligible fashion.

Again I would argue for a system like an Energy Star for each of the criteria. As an unsophisticated automobile consumer this would be useful for me. I realize that it may be more difficult for NHTSA to establish an absolute threshold for each star but I strongly doubt if all consumers will make sophisticated ratings- based selections without more simple criteria saying tire A passes the federal fuel efficiency energy star test and tire B does not. I am not arguing against the sliding scale bar graphs as information to be provided. This and an “Energy Star” system would work well together.

Web sites will only benefit consumers who have an i-Phone or other similar device with them at the retail outlet. One solution would be to require a dedicated terminal at a store. Here I imagine retail volume would become an issue before adopting such a requirement.