is it better to buy tires on line & have someone put them on or buy from local tireshop?

Question

I've found some tire for my car $140 on line at tire rack.com including road hazd. and shipping I think its a good deal but i wounder if its a good idea to buy them( or should i consider if something happens to the tires i have to mail them back)

175/65 -14 for the 1995 Ford Escort LX

Answer 1

the shipping can be prohibitive :(

Answer 2

There is no absolute right or wrong to whichever choice you make.

I have bought tires from Tire Rack. The tires were promptly delivered, already mounted and balanced. Tires have the manufacturers warranty providing the manufacturer has an agreement with the tire dealer. The cost, including shipping, was somewhat less than the same tires/wheels at a local dealer. An advantage for me was that the tires were delivered to my door and I could mount them at my leisure. A mail-order place like Tire Rack has the advantage of a much larger selection of tires and wheels of every description - one stop shopping. TireRack does claim to have a list of local tire dealers that will mount and balance tires purchased without wheels. Some of these advertised fees are quite reasonable.

A local dealer has the advantages of showing you the actual tires and answering questions specifically about tire applications for your vehicle - the personal approach. A local dealer has the ability to repair, rotate, replace and theoretically give you tire advice that keeps you happy. Also a local tire dealer may have the ability to do a wheel alignment or other maintenance/repairs to your vehicle(s). If you buy locally you are supporting a local merchant and a portion of your sales taxes comes back to your community.

Therefore shop both. Pick the one you like,or do both.

Answer 3

You didn't mention the size or brand of tire but,I suggest calling several tire shops and see if they will get close to the price, they often will. Its usually better to call on the phone when price shopping. The road hazard is a good idea, tires are often not repairable and you should not try to fix them yourself. Tires should be rotated about every 5000 miles and it is a real hassle to do it yourself. Local shops will often do it for free if you buy the tires from them. You can often get a discount on the alignment too wehn you buy tires locally. I have been in the tire business over 15 years. I have also bought from Tire rack and they do pretty good, I guess it would also make a difference as to where you live. If you live in a big city and have lots or tire stores to shop or if you live in a small town and there's only one or two shops.

Answer 4

Tire Rack offers a very wide selection - useful for the ever increasing number of hard to fit applications. The local tire shop just doesn't get have the space or demand to stock everything. The Rack's service is also excellent. Because they are a wholesaler and deal in such large volumes they sell tires for just a few % over cost - a rate most independent shops could not sustain. These things make Tire Rack an attractive choice. If you are buying rims at the same time as tires they are probably difficult if not impossible to beat.

There are advantages to buying locally though. Most tire shops will, if you buy the tires from them, rotate them for free for the life of the tire. You'll have to pay for tire rotations if you get the tires elsewhere. That could be anywhere from $12-20 every 6,000 miles.

That adds up.

Tire shops will often charge you more to mount tires purchased elsewhere than if you purchased your tires at the shop - which can also defeat some of the price advantage of Tire Rack.

Tire Rack's regular price to the public is just a whisker above wholesale - what a local tire dealer would buy the tire for. Sometimes I have even found them selling for less than what I can buy a tire for directly from the manufacturer for my shop! Most tire shops will match a Tire Rack price (usually with shipping added) but their business model can't support Tire Rack type pricing on every sale. Contrary to what Dr Evil posted though, tires are one of the lowest prifit margin products in the auto repair industry.

The reviews on Tire Rack can be helpful, though sometimes not. For example, all too many times I have read reviews on TR where the reviewer was obviously talking about the wrong tire. The review ends up in the wrong spot. The casual reader who lacks my tire knowledge and expertise won't catch this and may get an incorrect impression of the that particular tire. Bridgestone for example is a brand commonly afflicted with this since they have so many different tires called Dueler (truck), Potenza (performance) andn Turanza (passenger touring) for example.

Having a flat-repair warranty from a local shop or store chain is also far more convenient than what the Rack offers. Having a proper inspection and repair done by a shop trained and equipped to do it is infinately preferable to "do-it-yourself" cheapo tire repairs. Contrary to what Dr Evil posted, you can not repair your own tires PROPERLY unless you have your own tire mounting and balancing equipment. The only acceptable way to repair a tire is to dismount it from the rim and repair it from the inside. The external plug-type repair he is talking about is considered an improper repair by the entire tire industry and if used will void the manufacturers warranty on your tires. There are no exceptions to that.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I would deal locally. Be aware that many places will match prices or deal with you if you have a better offer. If one place doesn't, go to the next one.

I've actually used Wal-mart prices at tire dealers. I found some tires of a certain mileage and tire rating for which the dealer found a comparable substitute, installed, and threw in the road hazard for free. It may depend on the manager, but it can be done.

Also, check out http://www.safercars.gov/Tires/pages/TireRatings.cfm to find out more about different tires and the actual wear ratings. They can differ from brand to brand and even size within the same model.

Answer 6

Just buy 'em online and pay $20 to have them mounted. Tire warranties are ridiculous. You don't need them. Fixing a flat is cake. You can you it yourself most times. If you can't, it's only about $10-15 done in a tire shop. You can rotate your own tires too.

Mark up on tires in a shop is just plain rude, sometimes doubling the cost. Then you have taxes. Buy online out of state and avoid tax.

Ebay is not always the best route because many times it is some shmuck taking your bid and just ordering them from somewhere else to deliver to you while he pockets the difference.

Answer 7

I would deal locally - no shipping issues and most tire stores provide extra services like balancing and rotation, free flat repair, etc. They won't touch tires they didn't sell without charging. And any warranties are going to be a pain to deal with.

See if a tire store is willing to match the on-line offer.

Answer 8

I've ordered tires from tirerack.com and had them mounted by my mechanic who was doing other things to my sports car at the time. This worked out great for me.

In general I wouldn't do this any more because I no longer drive a sports car and most any tire would satisfy me.

If you have a specific brand/type/size you want to get, try asking the local tire shop to order it special for you. Then you get all the support that the shop offers and you get the tires you wanted.

Answer 9

I have a Tire Rack on my site but I don't expect people to buy tires just merely use them as a virtual feature to check out tire/rim packages. Sure if you know exactly what you want and the size it may be OK. For myself, I buy tires locally. In fact I,m on my way soon to go get some.

Answer 10

You can get good deals either way, you just have to shop. It depends a lot on if you want to have snazzy brand name tires or not. The last 3 sets I have bought for my Jeep are the Liberators from Wal-Mart . You get road hazard for like 10 bucks a tire and there is a Wal-Mart in nearly every town in the country; so no matter where you go, there you are.

Answer 11

This question brings to mind the commercial with the woman
trying to save some money and she shops for tires.

It's funny when the salespeople throw the tires at her and the
wrench etc and she falls backward. they don't even install or
warranty her purchase.

The message is loud and clear, buy from somewhere reliable
who installs and warranties the item,,,,,Local with agood reputation so if there is a problem you can easily remedy the
situation.