I learned something new today!

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I had heard that W*M wasn't going to be installing anybodys tires anymore, only the tires that they sell. So, I went into W*M today and asked them. They said that they would still install others tires anytime, they didn't care!

I have been buying my tires online and having W*M install them. $12.00 per tire...$5 mount, $5 balance, $2 valvestem and they throw away your old tires too! W*M only seems to charge the NYS tire disposal fee($2.50/tire) when you actually buy tires from them. I have even had them dispose of my tires and not charge the fee even when I brought in my own tires. So, IDK!

OK! I had always been lead to beleive(from the sale clerk) that the lifetime balance$7.50/tire($30.00 extra/4 tires) was in addition to the $12.00 but, it's not! It's $2.50 on top of the $5.00 1X balance.

It's been months and months since I have been in W*M for installation and they wouldn't honor the difference since it has been so lone. Even though I explained to the Store Manager that I was being told this each time I came in for tire installations(5 times).

But, here's another thing...When I went in today to purchace the lifetime balance on my tires(the tires must be the same tires that you had originaly installed), the price had dropped(Rollback) to $6.50/tire...All the time now! There is no more 1X balance. Now, there is only the $6.50/tire lifetime balance. And rotation is also included. Really, what difference does it make where they put the tires after they removed them for balancing. But, if you just went into W*M for a rotation, they'd charge you so, be careful.

Look into WalMart's installation wherever you live! You may like it there
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$12 per tire for everything is a good price. I paid $19 per tire for those same services at a Goodyear store. But then again those Walmart techs are probably slaving away on sub par benefits and wages.
 
Walmart has always done a great job mounting and balancing my tires on 5 different cars. I always tip the tire guy $5
 
if you would want Walmart to keep balancing them for the life of the tire.......

I fix a lot of their issues, I know its them because its on cars with tires sold only at walmart..... DOH

maybe its just my local walmart, the whole store in general is pretty much a zoo. I hope the services are better at other stores......
 
I've had generally good luck with Wal-Mart's TLE. I have had 1 horror story, but they did make it good ultimately.

The Wal-Mart-only tires are total trash. Their installation services are generally pretty good, and for a reasonable price.

At some stores lifetime balancing means they actually re-balance the tires. Not sure what it means at others.
 
The "high-end" car dealership that I work for charges only $10/tire to mount & balance, even low profile 20" tires...disposal is an additional $2/tire. Originally, we only offered that price if the tires were purchased from us...but our service dept. has been honoring it for carry-in tires as well.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
I would never take a low-profile tire there. Too many horror stories.


+1

And one big mess...
 
Define "low-profile tire". Is 40 series low enough ? Or 30 series or lower ?

I had the S2000 tires installed at Walmart 2-3 years ago, the front is 225/45-17 and rear is 255/40-17 without any problem.
 
Best to buy the tires and have them mounted where you buy them. Just one vendor with which to deal.
 
My Toyota dealer mounts and road force balances new tires for $20/each with free lifetime rotation.

There's no need for lifetime balance anyway....
 
[The Critic quote:]There's no need for lifetime balance anyway....

Why do you beleive this?

I have had plenty of tires that easily go out of balance. And the sevearal times that I would have needed balancing, it could have cost way more money than needed. Especially Good/Year tires and private label tires.

My new(er)G/Y Assurance Comfort Treads are a nice tire(best G/Y I've ever had) but, they're no better in the balance dept.
 
Originally Posted By: FZ1
Best to buy the tires and have them mounted where you buy them. Just one vendor with which to deal.


And I beleive this too! For those who don't like searching as myself and just like driving into their favorite tire center and picking out from the many tires on display, this is certainly the way to go.

See, I like doing things like this. I have more time on my hands than many and this is theroputic for me. Now, we're just waiting for grandchildren.

Many of my buddys do this too and we often do it together. We search for tires and deals online, order them, take'em over to W*M for installation. While we wait, we stop for coffee or lunch and shop a bit in the auto section or hardware/tools. Maybe pick up some paint for the porch or rocker...JK
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