You may get mount and balance rolled into price when you buy a tyre from shop, but, you won't get tyre very cheap.
About 20 yrs ago, (1991) M&P (South Wales) could retail tyres cheaper than we (as a shop) could buy them (for the exact same tyre)
The difference was, they had enough buying power to actually keep a tyre factory running for up to 3 months (that's a lot of tyres)
At present, It's costing around $25,000 to train as a motorcycle tech (Wyotech, MMI, etc)
Starting pay isn't particularly good ($10.50~$14.00 hr)
Shop has a lot of overheads, plus liability insurance to pay. $80.00 an hour isn't unreasonable, many places charge more ( $120.00 an hour or more, depending on manufacturer and location)
Anyone got labour rates for BMW or Ducati dealer in NYC?
Fitting tyres and tubes IS easy - WHEN YOU KNOW HOW.
'Pop' a couple of tubes at $12.00~$16.00 each and $35.00 starts to look real cheap (and definitely less frustrating)
I know money is tight everywhere but, it often works out cheaper in the long run to have it done right the first time, plus having a 'warranty' of sorts