Tires: Buy online or buy local?
- Thread starter Neauxla
- Start date
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I use online pricing to negotiate with local shops. They usually get close enough to warrant me giving them the business. I usually even give my local Toyota dealer a crack at it, but they never come down close to the local tire shops (note - I don't use the big tire chains....I prefer true local shops). Tires are one thing you can always haggle a deal on. I got my Nitto ExoGrapplers in stock size through a local shop for $1250 (5 tires) OTD. I think the lowest price I was finding online at the time was around $240 per tire, so it was definitely worth it.
STX4Runner
New member
I buy on location. Discount Tire has always been good to me. The problem with buying through Tire Rack or someone else online is the cost of shipping and then having to get the tires installed at another shop.
KidVermicious
New member
Take the best price you can find into your nearest Discount Tire or Big O, any national chain. They'll probably match it, and by buying from them you get free rotation and flat repair wherever they have a store. Free flat repair when you're 500 miles from home is nice.
mtomaro
New member
My shop will mount, balance, and install for the lowest shipped price I can find online or will beat any other local competitor, whichever is cheapest.
I always try to stick to national chains as well since I move every 6-12 months for work. Good idea for anyone though, IMO.
I always try to stick to national chains as well since I move every 6-12 months for work. Good idea for anyone though, IMO.
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NoDak
Senior Member
I buy local when doing 4 cause I can usually get a better deal than online.
single tires I get online as the locals cant match the single price.
ie: went looking for a <5000 mile sidewall puncture replacement on the rav4, cheapest local wanted $246 just for the tire, online I got it shipped from tirerack for $185 ($165 for the tire, $20 for shipping).
single tires I get online as the locals cant match the single price.
ie: went looking for a <5000 mile sidewall puncture replacement on the rav4, cheapest local wanted $246 just for the tire, online I got it shipped from tirerack for $185 ($165 for the tire, $20 for shipping).
philsey
New member
... and how much more for mount + bal?
I used to buy through Discount Tire as well, but after multiple "bad tires" purchased through them I gave up. It's been awhile, so maybe they have better suppliers now, but in the past it was rumored they were cheap for a reason (QC rejects, "old" tires, etc.). I don't know if that's true or not, but I've never had a "bad" tire through anyone else, and I got three of them through Discount Tire (on two different vehicles). Maybe it was just bad luck on my part, but it cost them my business.
If you have a decent Roadside Assistance rider on your insurance or through an auto club, or Toyota, then you don't need to buy tires through a national chain to be protected. I can have a flat fixed anywhere, and all I need to do is make a phone call and it gets handled. Not only that, but Toyota has always rotated my tires on schedule no matter where I bought them. YMMV.
If you have a decent Roadside Assistance rider on your insurance or through an auto club, or Toyota, then you don't need to buy tires through a national chain to be protected. I can have a flat fixed anywhere, and all I need to do is make a phone call and it gets handled. Not only that, but Toyota has always rotated my tires on schedule no matter where I bought them. YMMV.
NoDak
Senior Member
doesn't matter, if I would have bought local or had the tirerack tire mounted local its the same price.
mount/balance cost is static, the price of the tire is what fluctuates.
StormTrooper2015
New member
The best pricing can usually be found here: Onlinetires.com - Lowest Tire Prices on the Web. Period! If you are local, they allow for free pick up in La Mirada, CA. They also run specials for 50% off shipping costs. I have been buying from them for years.
Just ordered via local Sears(!!!) $203 for Michelin M/S2 265/70R17 per tire, 65 bucks for the installation plus taxes, but 70 bucks rebate from Michelin via Sears program, plus 70 bucks for using Sears card. Will pay it off next month, so no financial charges. No on-line shop can bit that, plus local store for the rotations or any quality issues, if any.
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Same here for about everything - on low ticket items I will go about 15%. Last time I bought tires local price was $3. per tire higher and included mnt and bal.
And do not try your stealer- I purchased Limited from the Toyota last week and parts manager could not answer simple questions about 17" TRD wheels and TPMS compatibility, but gave me a quote for the replacement of wheels and new tires at $1850!!! I will be on my third 4Runner, but even now I can not get their service price policy.
My new rig is coming next week and Sears will do wheels/tire replacement
3wbdriver
New member
I called a local guy out here and quoted him Tire Racks's price. He simply replied "Done.". Turns out he gets most of his tires from their Shreveport warehouse. So I got the tires for the online price + tax, free shipping, and free lifetime balance and rotation.
