are tire rack prices too high?

[edwardh1]

I just checked 4 225 70 16 michelin tires , $593 plus about $50 in shipping. PLUS installation?

Last week costco sold me the same michelins for $610 out the door mounted balanced road hazard and lifetime balancing and rotation

 

[Hokiefyd]

I've rarely found a situation where Tire Rack is cheapest, or even close, for the types and sizes of tires that I buy. I understand that if you're buying a very specialized or high performance tire, they can be competitive. For more "typical" tires, I rarely find them to be competitive.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Also, to be fair, Costco is running its $70 off sale right now. When Costco isn't running that sale, Tire Rack usually is, so the price difference will vary depending on the time of year. But I agree -- Tire Rack is often hard to justify. I've never been able to, and have never bought from them. Perhaps if I lived right close to a distribution center where I could knock the shipping off...

 

[skyactiv]

Yes, TireRack prices aren't as competitive like in years past. Where TireRack shines is selection, especially if your shopping performance tires. I've been able to haggle at Discount Tire when buying expensive name brand UHP tires to where the TireRack wouldn't save me money. Even with paying tax.

 

[JustinH]

So, years ago tire rack ran a deal on winter tires and winter wheels.

I ended up getting 14'' steelies for my saturn ion for $20 each. And the tires were 40 each.

Mounted and balanced it was a very good deal.

I drove them for 4 seasons, then sold them for a good amount.

That is the only time I seen a deal on tire rack.

I think they are geared towards the performance enthusiast who wants a certain kind of tire for a sports car. They are not geared towards the regular guy with the mini van looking for cheap safe rubber.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: edwardh1
I just checked 4 225 70 16 michelin tires ,

That's a fairly common size.

In the past, I've found TR to be more competitive on exotic/unusual tire sizes, but not so much on the common ones.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Common and even low end tires, Tirerack is very expensive. I have had good luck recently with Tread Depot, Discount Tire Direct and Tires-Easy (Delticom). Still cheaper than buying locally.

I *may* got for a set of Blizzaks from Tirerack if they are still on clearance. I doubt there will be any WS70s left in 3 months in the size I want.

 

[WiskyBadger]

I have done alright on closeout tires on TR otherwise their prices are meh.

 

[nwjones18]

Only thing I've ever bought from tire rack was a replacement for a donut spare.. The factory one for my grandparents Saturn blew up in the truck and tire rack was the only place that carried them for a reasonable price. Got my last set of tires from Ebay Discount tire direct sells on there and regularly has a $100 off $400 coupon. Got a set of General G-max's for my STS for $388 delivered.

 

[stephen9666]

I've never found tires on Tire Rack to be a bargain, unless they're on closeout.

But, there are other websites like DTD that do have good deals. When it comes to stacking DTD sales plus rebates you get into some bargains that many local places can't or won't match, unless you happen to have a local Discount Tire.

 

[Bud]

In my neck of the woods, I get the best prices at Discount Tire.

 

[Doog]

I find TR is lowest about 2/3 of the time. But I shop well in advance for tires.

 

[rjundi]

I don't think the prices are high at all. Local tire shops charge in the same vincintiy (sometimes less and sometimes more).

I think its prudent to shop around as timing matters.

That being said I pay extra for local business because if problems arise I don't feel like dealing with two parties in the resolve nor do I enjoy loading tires into my trunk etc.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: edwardh1
I just checked 4 225 70 16 michelin tires , $593 plus about $50 in shipping. PLUS installation?

Last week costco sold me the same michelins for $610 out the door mounted balanced road hazard and lifetime balancing and rotation

Costco, place where I buy tires last 7 years.
Best thing? If you order them online for your car on Costco web site, they are shipped from factor, and usually DOT is 203 weeks old, max 4 weeks.

 

[Pokermatters]

Discount Tire will price match/beat online tire vendors, but keep in mind they include shipping costs. Tirebuyer.com ships free to local installers, so I've found that's the best route to go as my pricing source if either Discount Tire or Discount Tire Direct carries the particular tire I'd like and Tirebuyer also carries it.

Back in October of 2014 I was able to use this strategy to purchase 4 General RT43's via my local Discount Tire, 195/70/14's...installed with free lifetime balance and rotation....$331.41......after I received my rebate gift card....$281.41....bargain.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: Pokermatters
Discount Tire will price match/beat online tire vendors, but keep in mind they include shipping costs. Tirebuyer.com ships free to local installers, so I've found that's the best route to go as my pricing source if either Discount Tire or Discount Tire Direct carries the particular tire I'd like and Tirebuyer also carries it.

Back in October of 2014 I was able to use this strategy to purchase 4 General RT43's via my local Discount Tire, 195/70/14's...installed with free lifetime balance and rotation....$331.41......after I received my rebate gift card....$281.41....bargain.

I am done with DT afar they sold me Michelin PSS. I said specifically: Do not want tire that is older then 6 months (not bcs of tire, but bcs of how they store tires). They delivered tires that were 8 months old.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: edwardh1
I just checked 4 225 70 16 michelin tires , $593 plus about $50 in shipping. PLUS installation?

Last week costco sold me the same michelins for $610 out the door mounted balanced road hazard and lifetime balancing and rotation


How about discounttiredirect "Memorial Day" sale going on right now?

 

[CharBaby]

Ooops!
Looks like the sale is over!
They have Michelin LTX M/S 2 as the only Michelin in this size. But, there are still some rebates going on with several brands. AND as always, FREE shipping!

 

[Sayjac]

I've found TR to be an excellent research site for specs, reviews and information. However, iirc never even been able to use them as the lowest price for a price match at local Disc Tire b&m stores where I purchase.

I've most used the DTD or last time DTD@ebay no tax price and promos for the DT price match.

 

[iluvhonda]

I bought tires at TR only once years ago because I couldn't get a specific tire within a certain price range. Possibly if they did not charge for shipping as much it could be competitive. But my local tire store gives you a break on mounting/balancing if you buy the tires from them. I would love to give the business to TR because they offer brands my local tire store does not offer. Maybe a price match breakdown should be in their future?