New tire shopping online

[jimbo1096]

I need new tires, so Looking around at local tire shops, nothing offered that meets my expectations. So looking on line I find I can get the tires I want, but have to have them shipped and installed by a local shop at their price. Wondered if anyone else had this problem and ordered online. Good idea or bad?

 

[Rick Courtright]

I need new tires, so Looking around at local tire shops, nothing offered that meets my expectations. So looking on line I find I can get the tires I want, but have to have them shipped and installed by a local shop at their price. Wondered if anyone else had this problem and ordered online. Good idea or bad?

Hi,

A buddy swears by Tire Rack and has bought from them for years. We have a local tire shop where the guys know what they're doing and they do all his mounting/balancing/repair work for no more than other shops charge even on tires bought from them. He's been happy. Personally, I think the choice of shop to do the mounting, etc., is probably more important than which online source one chooses. I've had some horror stories of my own in that department... ;)

Rick C

 

[Cholo]

My daughter's done it with excellent luck. She's always known the person who would be installing the tires, though. Most online tire places like www.Tirerack.com will have approved tire stores in your area that can mount and balance them. Ask 1st how much they'll charge.

I buy online because my boy works for Goodyear corporate and I get a 35-45% discount. The store charges $19 per tire to mount and balance plus disposal fees and taxes. You can use that as a guideline as to what others might charge.

 

[Pat-inCO]

Don't forget the actual age of the tire you are going to put on.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

There are many horror stories about "new" tires that were actually five
or more years old, before they were sold. They had never been put on
a rim, but had been sitting on various racks for years. Thus sold as new.

Most tire manufacturer's warranties cover their tires for four years
from the date of purchase or five years from the week the tires
were manufactured.

It pays to look, no matter where you get them from. :D

 

[Fox Mike]

When I was still into rebuilding cars I used Tire Rack all the time. Never had a complaint.

 

[MADDOG 521]

I've ordered new tires at my Ford dealer at a great price and I had them mount and balance them. Good warranty and rotation for the life of the tires

 

[sfhogman]

My family has used Tirerack.com for years. Nary a problem...

Jeff

 

[Mobuck]

Tire Rack usually has cooperating local shops who don't over charge for mounting TR purchased tires. Some places might be a bit snippy about you carrying in new tires.
I have a good relationship with my local shop, mount my own tires except those on aluminum rims, and pay them standard rate for separate balancing.

 

[arfmel]

Might be a good idea to confirm that there’s a shop in your area who will mount and balance tires from a third party. There isn’t one in my town.

 

[any ruger]

What is the price you pay r my info.for mounting and balancing. Just asking fo

 

[Kevin]

I have a Lexus and last summer it needed new tires. I got a quote from the dealer, then checked all over town. All the tire places were roughly within $100 of the dealer’s quote. I just ended up going back to the dealer.

If you order tires online, and need to return them for any reason, who pays return shipping?

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I've bought my truck tires online for years now. The most recent set, I bought tires and wheels so they came mounted and balanced. The set previous to that I bought tires only and my local shop charged me $15/wheel for mounting and balancing. I usually buy from 4WheelParts.

 

[Mobuck]

"What is the price you pay r my info.for mounting and balancing. Just asking fo"
Pretty cheap here vs big city rip off:
$4 to take tire off rim
$4 to put tire on rim
$5 to balance tire/rim
usually not too much grumble to replace valve stem for free
If my shoulder isn't too sore, I dismount/remount tires on steel rims and install the new valve stems. That way it only costs me $5 to have the units balanced. Aluminum rims scratch easily and/or the clearcoat gets damaged resulting in peeling so I've quit changing those unless the rims are already messed up.

 

[Mega Twin]

I just ordered and received 2 tires for my '57 Allis from Tires Easy.
They are front tires 3 rib had free shipping,and got them in a day and a half from when I ordered them.
A local shop will mount them for $10 each.I told them there was no need to balance them :D
And with the mounting charge,I still saved over $50 from local prices.

 

[ronto]

I got 4 tires at www.walmart.com and are happy with them. I searched at Tire rack to compare various tires. Walmart was the cheapest. Walmart balancing and mounting also is the cheapest as long as you bought the tires at Walmart.

 

[gunzo]

Discount Tire Direct seems to have the better prices I've found for pick up & SUV tires. Most of their stuff is free ship.

I talked to my local tire guy before ordering to get his feedback on installing tires from else where. It was nothing new to him & he explained his pricing & of course, lack of any free customer service afterward, for those particular tires.

One installer might be fine with it, another might refuse or rip you off. So, I'd line up an installer first.

 

[Goldstar225]

When I bought my last set of tires I priced the total cost of tire rack + the mounting and balancing at the local dealer. I also got a quote for the same tires through the dealer. The cost through the dealer was $100.00 more but came with free lifetime tire rotation. As a side benefit the dealer didn't mention, I've taken him two flats to repair since then which he did at no charge.

 

[Dave P.]

I know exactly what tire I want before I buy it. Usually get a price on-line
factor in shipping, mounting and balance costs etc.
Take this number to a local Discount or Belle Tire store and get a quote.
They have never failed to match my on-line price and they're local.
I try to support the local business as much as possible and we
have lots of tire stores in mid Michigan competing for $$$.
Dave

 

[fas111]

Do you have a "Discount Tire" near you? Last time I shopped tires I printed the Tire Rack page that had the tires I wanted and took it to Discount Tire and asked it they could beat price. Said they would match it but could not beat it. So I bought From Discount Tire. Great service.

 

[tinman]

I am a big believer in PM (preventative maintenance) and aim for the most return on money spent. I am always trying to get the most MPG possible and pay close attention to tire pressures and wear patterns. My personal system is to rotate/balance all 5 of my tires at every other oil change. From the local Walmart (or, for the ones that are not stocked in the stores, walmart.com) I buy, have them mounted/balanced and also purchase the lifetime rotate/balance package and "road hazard protection" plan. I began this program many years ago seeing huge improvements in tire life. And after looking at several "national" tire dealerships, I chose Walmart as they were the only ones to pretty much be everywhere I was travelling, allowing me to stay on my personal PM schedule no matter where I was. I too try to support my local businesses as much as possible.

 

[nlocke]

Bought 4 Michelin tires for my truck from Tire Rack and had them mounted and balanced at local shop for $15/tire. Very satisfied.

 

[PAShooter]

I have a local garage that has done nearly all of my tires and auto repairs for the past 20 years. If I want a specific tire, I give him first crack at it. If he cannot locate that tire through his suppliers, I will order on-line. He is happy to mount and balance the on-line tires knowing that I gave him first chance.

 

[375supermag]

Hi..
My son and I buy tires on line and have them shipped to a local shop that does all of our repair work.
He says he can't match the on line prices and is happy to mount and balance the tires for a small fee per tire.
My son does all the shopping and comparing of prices, so I am not sure where he buys them from but we have never had any problems.

 

[RSIno1]

I've been happy with Discount Tire Direct. 5 or 6 sets so far. They are shipped to my house then I take them to a tire shop and they mount and balance them for $40-60.