I've purchased 3 sets of tires so far (4 tires per set) for two different vehicles from TireRack.com. Very happy with both price and service. They have a link to local affiliates who have agreed to mount and balance their tires for a reasonable price. You can have your order drop shipped to the installer, and work out the details for the mount and balance service with them.
Buying tires online
- Thread starter supton
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I usually buy online and have them mounted at the local hyundai dealer. They have mounted 8 sets now for me. I previously bought 2 cars off them.. and they roadforce balance them and give me a printout. All competitively priced.
They usually arent competitively priced on the tires and/or cant get the model I want..
The best use of online is if you want wheels too.
Getting free roadforce balancing is a huge plus(ie tirerack)
Second best is to get tires you cant find locally(nokian), or cash in on triple rebate type deals(DTD)
I always have them roadforce balanced and usually talk to the guy mounting them beforehand and ask him to note any issues on the RF printout. So far no issues. But as was mentioned any kind of issue turns into a minor or MAJOR hassle if you have to send tires back.. wait on replacement tire etc.
They usually arent competitively priced on the tires and/or cant get the model I want..
The best use of online is if you want wheels too.
Getting free roadforce balancing is a huge plus(ie tirerack)
Second best is to get tires you cant find locally(nokian), or cash in on triple rebate type deals(DTD)
I always have them roadforce balanced and usually talk to the guy mounting them beforehand and ask him to note any issues on the RF printout. So far no issues. But as was mentioned any kind of issue turns into a minor or MAJOR hassle if you have to send tires back.. wait on replacement tire etc.
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Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Though I have actually helped others do the searching online compared to buying localy and they have done better by buying localy for their Brand/Size of tire(apples-to-apples).
But, not me. I have personaly saved between $120-$150 from buying 4 tires online, paying shipping(or not), local(*Walmart) install as compared to(apples-to-apples) buying from our local tire stores.
The only items that I am not getting when buying online(and I can still opt for these) is, Road Hazard Warranty and Free Flat Repair. I still get lifetime balance/rotation from W*M.
I think that in 45 years of driving, I have gotten 2-3 flat tires and never ruined a single one to justify the RHW cost. So, I am going by my personal experience.
I also have a little more time than many folks to, mess around with buying online and taking tires over to W*M. Lots of folks just don't have the time or paitients as I do!
I've been buying tires and other parts online for about 10-12 years now with great success.
What I'm curious about is did you actually go to a tire retailer and ask them to match the price? Every single tire retailer in my area will do it. Last time I did a price match it was at Town Fair tire. They threw in a free front end alignment. Tire rack is good about listing places where you can get them mounted and balanced but if you do the math, it's easier getting it from one retailer. If they don't have the tire you want, they can usually order it. I don't think BJ's does that though which is why I haven't gone to them. Last time I got tires, Goodyear was running a really good sale, a buy 3 get one free plus it had a $120 rebate on top of that so that buying 4 tires was actually cheaper than buying two as the rebates and discounts only applied to 4 tires. It's always been cheaper for me to find a price online and ask them to do a price match. About the only difference is that I end up paying sales tax which they won't match out because in theory if you buy online, you're supposed to pay the sales tax anyway, but usually they charge extra for mounting if you didn't buy the tire there so it's somewhat of a wash. Also there are horror stories out there about people getting bad tires and having to return them. You're probably taking a 10-20% chance that you'll have a problem and shipping will kill any savings. I've also gotten road hazard warranties and have made two claims over the last 10 years, I'm glad I didn't end up buying online for those tires.
Though I have actually helped others do the searching online compared to buying localy and they have done better by buying localy for their Brand/Size of tire(apples-to-apples).
But, not me. I have personaly saved between $120-$150 from buying 4 tires online, paying shipping(or not), local(*Walmart) install as compared to(apples-to-apples) buying from our local tire stores.
The only items that I am not getting when buying online(and I can still opt for these) is, Road Hazard Warranty and Free Flat Repair. I still get lifetime balance/rotation from W*M.
I think that in 45 years of driving, I have gotten 2-3 flat tires and never ruined a single one to justify the RHW cost. So, I am going by my personal experience.
I also have a little more time than many folks to, mess around with buying online and taking tires over to W*M. Lots of folks just don't have the time or paitients as I do!
I've been buying tires and other parts online for about 10-12 years now with great success.
What I'm curious about is did you actually go to a tire retailer and ask them to match the price? Every single tire retailer in my area will do it. Last time I did a price match it was at Town Fair tire. They threw in a free front end alignment. Tire rack is good about listing places where you can get them mounted and balanced but if you do the math, it's easier getting it from one retailer. If they don't have the tire you want, they can usually order it. I don't think BJ's does that though which is why I haven't gone to them. Last time I got tires, Goodyear was running a really good sale, a buy 3 get one free plus it had a $120 rebate on top of that so that buying 4 tires was actually cheaper than buying two as the rebates and discounts only applied to 4 tires. It's always been cheaper for me to find a price online and ask them to do a price match. About the only difference is that I end up paying sales tax which they won't match out because in theory if you buy online, you're supposed to pay the sales tax anyway, but usually they charge extra for mounting if you didn't buy the tire there so it's somewhat of a wash. Also there are horror stories out there about people getting bad tires and having to return them. You're probably taking a 10-20% chance that you'll have a problem and shipping will kill any savings. I've also gotten road hazard warranties and have made two claims over the last 10 years, I'm glad I didn't end up buying online for those tires.
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I had problems with a tread wear warranty. Sears carried the same model but, when they found out is was ordered through the internet, they became difficult to deal with. I contacted TireRack and it became a "their responsibility" issue. I think I will stick with local dealers unless an internet order is outstanding. Ed
Ordering online can be much cheaper, but can vary depending on your local shops and the tires you want to buy.
Yes, warranty could be a hassle if you buy online, but it's still worth it for me.
I choose DTD because of the free shipping. If you buy during one of their sales it will be very hard for a local place to meet or beat their price.
I wanted Hankook H727s for my Sonata. From DTD I got them for $300 after the Black Friday sale and a rebate. I had them installed locally for $80 (which includes lifetime rotate and balance, and I've used it several times). So, I got a full set of Hankook H727 for $380 installed. No local shop could come even close to that price.
Long story short, do your homework.
Yes, warranty could be a hassle if you buy online, but it's still worth it for me.
I choose DTD because of the free shipping. If you buy during one of their sales it will be very hard for a local place to meet or beat their price.
I wanted Hankook H727s for my Sonata. From DTD I got them for $300 after the Black Friday sale and a rebate. I had them installed locally for $80 (which includes lifetime rotate and balance, and I've used it several times). So, I got a full set of Hankook H727 for $380 installed. No local shop could come even close to that price.
Long story short, do your homework.
I've found that buying online and local mounting is generally much cheaper. I put on a new set of V speed rated 215/55-17 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Maxes on my Cruze for $530 after everything, including a roadforce balance and alignment. That was $120 cheaper than the same tires locally. I can't speak to problems with warranty work since I have not experienced that myself (yet).
If find it's way cheaper to buy them online and have Walmart mount and lifetime balance. Like ~$100 cheaper for as set of 4. That and when I call around locally and ask what they happen to have in stock, it's mostly made in China junk tires that I don't want.
Originally Posted By: sciphi
I've found that buying online and local mounting is generally much cheaper. I put on a new set of V speed rated 215/55-17 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Maxes on my Cruze for $530 after everything, including a roadforce balance and alignment. That was $120 cheaper than the same tires locally. I can't speak to problems with warranty work since I have not experienced that myself (yet).
If you have a local goodyear retailer, I believe they will also price match. Also most tire places can do special orders and also match the price. I think the only drawback with ordering online is that if you have problems, you're somewhat SOL whereas if you do the price match, the local retailer will stand behind you.
So far it sounds like most people who seem to think they've saved money by buying online just haven't tried doing a local price match.
I've found that buying online and local mounting is generally much cheaper. I put on a new set of V speed rated 215/55-17 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Maxes on my Cruze for $530 after everything, including a roadforce balance and alignment. That was $120 cheaper than the same tires locally. I can't speak to problems with warranty work since I have not experienced that myself (yet).
If you have a local goodyear retailer, I believe they will also price match. Also most tire places can do special orders and also match the price. I think the only drawback with ordering online is that if you have problems, you're somewhat SOL whereas if you do the price match, the local retailer will stand behind you.
So far it sounds like most people who seem to think they've saved money by buying online just haven't tried doing a local price match.
We bought tires online for years and years, great prices, usually free shipping and they generally provided a local store to mount and balance at a special deal, too.
But now the new mgmt at my local store matches or beats any online deal...
But now the new mgmt at my local store matches or beats any online deal...
Whether you buy tires from a dealer, or online they ultimately come from the same source. There lots of costs involved either way, with shipping, storage,overhead, etc. The dealer has to keep a huge inventory to cover every make, model, size, speed rating. If you need something they don't have they will most likely order it from tirerack themselves anyway. Of course you should have to pay a little more for installation when you bring your own tires in. Or, it would be like buying your own steak and taking it in to Outback steakhouse, and asking them to cook it perfectly for you, free. Yes, it's good to shop for the best deal, but the cheapest tire and installation is not always a better deal. If they are only making $20 on the whole deal just somebody else doesn't get the job I doubt they will take the extra time and effort to do the job correctly. It not easy work to do a good tire installation.
It costs $60-80 to mount and balance 4 tires and they pay the tech $10-15. Add a buck for the weights and valve stems and the rest is overhead and gravy.
If they manage to look a car over and recommend other work, that's potentially sweet too. Hence the "Free alignment" they like to give out.
If they manage to look a car over and recommend other work, that's potentially sweet too. Hence the "Free alignment" they like to give out.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
It costs $60-80 to mount and balance 4 tires and they pay the tech $10-15. Add a buck for the weights and valve stems and the rest is overhead and gravy.
If they manage to look a car over and recommend other work, that's potentially sweet too. Hence the "Free alignment" they like to give out.
Actually with Town Fair Tire, they only sell tires and not additional work, so the alignment that they do is mostly so that your tires don't wear out prematurely. If you need any work, they send you someplace else. Plus they do extra stuff like free flat repair and free tire rotation. You won't get those buying online. Many other local shops will also do the same. All you have to do is ask for the price match. That's probably the hardest part from what people here are saying.
It costs $60-80 to mount and balance 4 tires and they pay the tech $10-15. Add a buck for the weights and valve stems and the rest is overhead and gravy.
If they manage to look a car over and recommend other work, that's potentially sweet too. Hence the "Free alignment" they like to give out.
Actually with Town Fair Tire, they only sell tires and not additional work, so the alignment that they do is mostly so that your tires don't wear out prematurely. If you need any work, they send you someplace else. Plus they do extra stuff like free flat repair and free tire rotation. You won't get those buying online. Many other local shops will also do the same. All you have to do is ask for the price match. That's probably the hardest part from what people here are saying.
For me the big advantage in buying tires from Tire Rack or Discount Tire is selection and service. I am very particular about the tires that go onto the vehicles of "me and mine." Tires are the most important safety and performance component on a vehicle. I want the best combination of wet traction, dry traction, snow traction, handling, noise, ride, treadwear, reliability and cost of ownership. Even though there are hundreds of tires that will hold air and roll down the road I want one of the few tires that will satisfy my needs and wants. I just cannot find that at a local tire shop at anything close to a fair purchase price and I will not compromise to accommodate their limited selection.
Then there is the issue of who is going to install the tires. I like to use the small shop that I've gone to for years for state inspections and tire mounting. I know them, and I know the guy who will be doing the work. I don't have to explain to them about match mounting, balancing, the placement of the tires on the vehicle, not scratching the wheels, using tire lube, cleaning the beads, etc. Everything is done right every time.
It has been my experience that the odds of getting the right tire at the right price, with all the installation details done right, the first time, drops dramatically when purchasing from the chain stores. I still call around locally when buying a set of tires and give the chains a chance, but I still wind up buying from Tire Rack or Discount Tire and having them installed by people I trust. It is by far the best deal.
Then there is the issue of who is going to install the tires. I like to use the small shop that I've gone to for years for state inspections and tire mounting. I know them, and I know the guy who will be doing the work. I don't have to explain to them about match mounting, balancing, the placement of the tires on the vehicle, not scratching the wheels, using tire lube, cleaning the beads, etc. Everything is done right every time.
It has been my experience that the odds of getting the right tire at the right price, with all the installation details done right, the first time, drops dramatically when purchasing from the chain stores. I still call around locally when buying a set of tires and give the chains a chance, but I still wind up buying from Tire Rack or Discount Tire and having them installed by people I trust. It is by far the best deal.
Discount Tire/America's Tire do price match online price. I usually find the lowest price, plus shipping if applicable, then call local store(s) for price match. In the end I get good price and good services.
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: eljefino
It costs $60-80 to mount and balance 4 tires and they pay the tech $10-15. Add a buck for the weights and valve stems and the rest is overhead and gravy.
If they manage to look a car over and recommend other work, that's potentially sweet too. Hence the "Free alignment" they like to give out.
Actually with Town Fair Tire, they only sell tires and not additional work, so the alignment that they do is mostly so that your tires don't wear out prematurely. If you need any work, they send you someplace else. Plus they do extra stuff like free flat repair and free tire rotation. You won't get those buying online. Many other local shops will also do the same. All you have to do is ask for the price match. That's probably the hardest part from what people here are saying.
I used to have good experience/luck with TFT but recently they have gone way downhill in customer service. They argue with you on price matching( which is a huge advertising campaign for them so I don't get it )plus the list of extra fees is outrageous now for getting tires. I stopped going there. I love their Free Tire Mounting gimmick but balancing the tire is like $20 each now.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
It costs $60-80 to mount and balance 4 tires and they pay the tech $10-15. Add a buck for the weights and valve stems and the rest is overhead and gravy.
If they manage to look a car over and recommend other work, that's potentially sweet too. Hence the "Free alignment" they like to give out.
Actually with Town Fair Tire, they only sell tires and not additional work, so the alignment that they do is mostly so that your tires don't wear out prematurely. If you need any work, they send you someplace else. Plus they do extra stuff like free flat repair and free tire rotation. You won't get those buying online. Many other local shops will also do the same. All you have to do is ask for the price match. That's probably the hardest part from what people here are saying.
I used to have good experience/luck with TFT but recently they have gone way downhill in customer service. They argue with you on price matching( which is a huge advertising campaign for them so I don't get it )plus the list of extra fees is outrageous now for getting tires. I stopped going there. I love their Free Tire Mounting gimmick but balancing the tire is like $20 each now.
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: eljefino
It costs $60-80 to mount and balance 4 tires and they pay the tech $10-15. Add a buck for the weights and valve stems and the rest is overhead and gravy.
If they manage to look a car over and recommend other work, that's potentially sweet too. Hence the "Free alignment" they like to give out.
Actually with Town Fair Tire, they only sell tires and not additional work, so the alignment that they do is mostly so that your tires don't wear out prematurely. If you need any work, they send you someplace else. Plus they do extra stuff like free flat repair and free tire rotation. You won't get those buying online. Many other local shops will also do the same. All you have to do is ask for the price match. That's probably the hardest part from what people here are saying.
I used to have good experience/luck with TFT but recently they have gone way downhill in customer service. They argue with you on price matching( which is a huge advertising campaign for them so I don't get it )plus the list of extra fees is outrageous now for getting tires. I stopped going there. I love their Free Tire Mounting gimmick but balancing the tire is like $20 each now.
I was able to punch in a quote online for TFT and they sent me a new quote so no arguing. Haven't gone there in a while though, I've got Goodyear's on my car (Tripletred) and their sales have been better than online prices so I haven't been doing price matching lately. One thing Goodyear does is double the rebate if you use their card so for an extra $80, I got their credit card. Tire mounting is usually free at most places where you buy tires, but you still get charged for balancing, but they charge you for mounting if you didn't buy them there.
Most tire shops can pretty much special order any tire that they don't have in stock unless it's a brand that they don't carry. The other drawback with ordering online is dragging those tires out to the car and driving down to the shop.
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: eljefino
It costs $60-80 to mount and balance 4 tires and they pay the tech $10-15. Add a buck for the weights and valve stems and the rest is overhead and gravy.
If they manage to look a car over and recommend other work, that's potentially sweet too. Hence the "Free alignment" they like to give out.
Actually with Town Fair Tire, they only sell tires and not additional work, so the alignment that they do is mostly so that your tires don't wear out prematurely. If you need any work, they send you someplace else. Plus they do extra stuff like free flat repair and free tire rotation. You won't get those buying online. Many other local shops will also do the same. All you have to do is ask for the price match. That's probably the hardest part from what people here are saying.
I used to have good experience/luck with TFT but recently they have gone way downhill in customer service. They argue with you on price matching( which is a huge advertising campaign for them so I don't get it )plus the list of extra fees is outrageous now for getting tires. I stopped going there. I love their Free Tire Mounting gimmick but balancing the tire is like $20 each now.
I was able to punch in a quote online for TFT and they sent me a new quote so no arguing. Haven't gone there in a while though, I've got Goodyear's on my car (Tripletred) and their sales have been better than online prices so I haven't been doing price matching lately. One thing Goodyear does is double the rebate if you use their card so for an extra $80, I got their credit card. Tire mounting is usually free at most places where you buy tires, but you still get charged for balancing, but they charge you for mounting if you didn't buy them there.
Most tire shops can pretty much special order any tire that they don't have in stock unless it's a brand that they don't carry. The other drawback with ordering online is dragging those tires out to the car and driving down to the shop.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Discount Tire/America's Tire do price match online price. I usually find the lowest price, plus shipping if applicable, then call local store(s) for price match. In the end I get good price and good services.
I've done the same with DT several times, but I go to the local DT store with all my total price information, and negotiate the final intalled DT price. In the past I've used Treadepot(they now charge tax here so no longer lowest) and DT Direct no tax shipping included price to get the lowest installed price.
With several area DT's I have no need to buy online and get installed elsewhere. That said, I'm very doubtful that local tire stores, independent or otherwise could or would be able to match DTD no tax price with the rebate promo/sales they frequently have. Beyond that, DT's attention to detail and service after the sale is unmatched in my experience.
Discount Tire/America's Tire do price match online price. I usually find the lowest price, plus shipping if applicable, then call local store(s) for price match. In the end I get good price and good services.
I've done the same with DT several times, but I go to the local DT store with all my total price information, and negotiate the final intalled DT price. In the past I've used Treadepot(they now charge tax here so no longer lowest) and DT Direct no tax shipping included price to get the lowest installed price.
With several area DT's I have no need to buy online and get installed elsewhere. That said, I'm very doubtful that local tire stores, independent or otherwise could or would be able to match DTD no tax price with the rebate promo/sales they frequently have. Beyond that, DT's attention to detail and service after the sale is unmatched in my experience.
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