I'm just curious. Buying tires from tirerack and having them shipped to one of their certified installers and paying them $30 per tire to mount seems to cost about the same as buying from a local tire shop, like Sears, where the tire is more, but mounting included. Often they will need to order the tire, but they can usually get it the next day. Am I missing something here? I haven't done comparisons down to the penny, but it seems pretty close. The only real advantage I can see is using the tirerack web interface, user reviews and tech support to help in the selection. But in my case, I already know what tires I want.

 

I just find it more convenient, and I got totally ****ed off by a local tire dealer. The last time I tried to get tires from a local dealer, they didn't have the tire in stock, so I arranged to come back the next day to have them fitted. They couldn't get the tires, but neglected to tell me that, so I got up early on a Saturday to find they wasted my time.

With TireRack I know exactly where my tires are, and they usually arrive at the installer overnight.

I also trust the installer more than I'd trust any local tire stall. They're not a tire shop, but a specialist suspension shop, and are quite competent. I wouldn't expect much competency from your average tire shop. I've had other work done there now, so they actually recognise my voice when I ring them.

 

I have always used Discount Tire for all my tire requirements except motorcycles. I have checked out Tire Rack a few times and noticed the same thing as the OP-the price was always comparable.

In 10 years or so, I have never had a bad experience with the Discount Tire folks. On a couple of occassions they have figured ways to save me money when having to deal with TPMS on new tires.

Whenever I have needed new tires for my lowered Z06, they would carefully jack it up with hand jacks to avoid any damage that a hydraulic lift could cause.

They have always been able to get the tires I wanted in just a couple of days(Michelin, Kumho, Nitto)

I have used a few different locations where I live and they have all been really great folks to work with.

Jeff

 

Tire Rack has consistently had much better in-stock selection and prices compared to the local tire shops
in my neck of the woods. They also have a lot of info (surveys, reviews, tests, and tire data) on their site
that I find very helpful, and deserving of support, and their shipping is fast and reasonable, and customer
support has been good on the few times that I needed it.

 

I've used Tirerack previously but last year had an awesome experience with one of our local tire dealers...I may wind up paying a little more by going through them but not significantly. They worked on one of my tires that needed a new valve stem...we didn't even buy the tire through them..they repaired the valve stem and remounted the tire...cost...FREE...they won a customer...

 

I like Tirerack because I can pick/choose exactly what tire I want and it shows up the next day or close to it. The tire shops don't normally have ultra high performance summer tires and I believe Tirerack might be the only place you can get the Dunlop Z2 which is what we run. Don't even get me started on trying to find a local tire place that sells Hoosier.

The Tirerack recommended installers are normally pretty cheap ($20 in my case) and they're typically acceptable. It did take me a little while to find a place I like that takes care of my rims. I get enough tires mounted/balanced in a year that they know me now which helps and they know to be careful with my stuff.

Also, Tirerack is a very heavy supporter of the SCCA Auto-x competitions which I'm heavily involved in so I like to support SCCA's sponsors.

 

I don't know to be honest OP. I got the wheels in my sig for 390 mounted AND they removed my TPS sensors from my old wheels and put them on my new wheels for free. If you are in south Florida Riviera Beach look up Pro Performance in the yellow pages. And since they are close to my work even dropped me off at work and I have a coworker drive me to my car after work. They charge 15 dollars flate rate shipping for all ordered tires.

 

It does boil down to price & service. If I could get the same/better pricing (shipping, mount & balance all considered) locally, sure I'd be prone to do that.

I haven't found that to be the case so far: my total-price from TireRack was better than I could get locally, sometimes a couple of hundred $$ better on a set of 4. I still shop, though, each time.

If you have a local tire dealer who's competitive and provides good service, by all means help keep them in business!

 

Selection.....
Some tires sold by tire-rack are speciality tires....ones that local places CAN get, but then often charge HUGE markups.....
This is true of most ANY internet tire place....
Tire rack is a great resource, but I have always found the tires I want for less elsewhere when you look at shipping costs in the total $$. (More average tires I have gotten at tirebuyer.com...priced the same as tire rack...and free shipping, but limited performance selection).
Many local places will happily install the tires....happy to have a customer spending $20 on mounting/balancing as opposed to getting zero when you go to the big box store.....

 

It depends on your local prices. I saved close to $300 on my S.Drives by ordering from TR, and that includes shipping, taxes, and duty.

Before I buy my next set online I'm going to ask my tire shop if they can get close to the price.

 

And $30 PER TIRE is crazy mounting costs....
Look around....$15 is more common...
And for the record, most "local" shops usually take a $25 markup (mine does...told me) from the wholesale price) so at $30 for mounting and balance... They MIGHT be making more from you than when they sell you a tire with free mounting and balancing......

 

i have a small local family owned and run tire store i have used for years

they are tirerack installers too

i get a delivered price from tirerack and check with the local store ...

for my winter tires, t/r was ~25% less, but for my michelin pilot super sports, the local store was ~15% less

my last 2 sets of p/u truck tires, t/r got one order and the locals got the other

btw, mounting/balancing is the same whether i buy from t/r or from the local shop

scott

 

We have several installers to pick from. What is your zip code? What size are your tires?

Sears is under contract for our installation rates for our customers. Many times the installation costs with Sears, as an example

We often supply Sears with some of their tires. One days is typical for our delivery to a tire store.

 

I already have a recommendation for Ken's Tires in SF as a certified installer. As a benefit, I understand Ken was a formula ford racer and can do autocross alignments, which I need to get done. I will likely go with them for my Mini, whether I buy tires from them or tirerack.

 

Depending on where you live the local dealer may have a limited selection and the tires may cost just as much as the best tires available from tirerack.com.

I live in a place where shipping costs a lot but others can have much lower shipping costs to get their tires. This means that local tire dealers have to pay a lot to ship tires and pass that along to the customer. A special order for a set of tires could mean, fly them in by 2nd day air for $250 or more.

If you buy wheels from tirerack you can them with tires for no fee for the mounting and balancing.

Wheel mounting in my area is easily $30-35 per tire.

 

One of our local firestones got me a deal on a set of RE11s for 600 out the door full road hazard. Also picked up a lifetime alignment to boot. (that was extra)

 

Yeah but good luck getting them to do an alignment that isn't within factory specs... Got burned on that before.

 

I have a good relationship they are happy to give me extra negative camber up front. It's not about the brand it's about the people and your approach.

 

I do local and tirerack. Tirerack has their discounts every now and then with their rebates and that's a plus, but other times my friend's shop and their supplier are great and price is equivalent to tirerack with mount and balance. I have my hookups so I have plenty of options to go with...

 

I work for a tire dealer with multiple stores and we use tire rack to supply tires at least once a week. Their web site has a wealth of info. I read their tire reviews and test results to make tire choices on personal vehicles.

 

i used tire rack to find a good tire shop who then was able to locally source some conti DWs and price match tire rack and include lifetime rotation. worked out great because i actually discovered a large puncture wound in one of my tires, and they were able to get the tire that same day.

 

Price, selection, ease.

When I needed winter tires and rims for my MINI, I did all my research on Tire Rack's website. It was really well organized, and I loved seeing a side view of my exact car with different rim choices to help me decide. I ordered from them, and in my driveway the next day were 4 tires, mounted to rims. They were inflated, balanced, and ready for me to put on.

I saved further money by installing them myself. The process could not have gone any easier, and I could not have been any happier.

That is why I later did the same thing for my winter beater car...

That's two excellent experiences with them.

 

I asked to make confirmation on rates. Sears does 50 profile or taller for $17 per tire, 40-45 profile for $19.50 & 35 and lower profile for $25 a tire under our contracted rates.

Our insight, customer service initially and after the fact is something that always sets us apart. I have actually driven 1st hand many of our tires.

It is also piece of mind that we have your specialty size or tire in-stock
frequently.

 

I've been buying tires from the Tire Rack since the late 1980's. Never had a problem, great customer service. Also, if you are getting wheels & tires, they'll mount and balance for free!

 

Well, so far so good with TireRack.

Today, I'm buying two Hokohama Avid Ascends for my step-son.
Locally, at Tire Discounters, it's $296 out the door including tax, etc.

Tire Rack + installation at Midas is $234, including shipping, taxes, etc.

I'm good with the $62 savings.

The Tire Rack website is great. Reviews, recomended installers for cheaper than Walmart's installation of internet tires, all good. I 'love the TR website. That plus consumerreports = tire heaven.

A little research showed onlinetires.com $15 cheaper for the pair, but online reviews indicate I may have to wait up to two weeks. I need these now, plus would rather TR stay in business for excellent website+excellent shipping reputation.

Apparently discounttire.com is another choice with probbly good reviews (I only gave them a cursory glance). Seems to be also good and maybe cheaper than TR. Sorry, goodyear and other local stores....internet=efficiency...

- pt