tire rack vs random local shops - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

FRyeS · 09-28-2013, 04:59 PM

So I'm about the pull the trigger on a set of snow tires / steelies from Tire Rack. The shipping charge is $165 which kind of threw me off.

So I did a little looking locally and it seems like the shipping charge from tire rack is made up for with the savings vs. the higher prices from the local shops + all their little add-ons.

I can't find any compelling argument against buying from Tire Rack although typically this isn't something you'd think to buy online. (for me anyway)

My question is this, has anyone else made this same type of comparison and had the same result bear out?

Miniata · 09-28-2013, 07:22 PM

I compared buying the snow tire & wheel package from Tire Rack vs a local Discount Tire store for our Forester. It came out to be a little cheaper from Tire Rack IIRC. Had to pay tax at Discount Tire plus mounting and balancing and other hidden fees at DT vs the simple wheel + tire + shipping charges from Tire Rack.

White64Goat · 09-28-2013, 07:53 PM

Check tirebuyer.com for comparison.

DAMotorsports · 09-28-2013, 10:13 PM

se if there is a tire rack installer in your area. they you can buy from tire rack and install local. I'm not sure if they still offer this but take a look.

Miniata · 09-28-2013, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAMotorsports

se if there is a tire rack installer in your area. they you can buy from tire rack and install local. I'm not sure if they still offer this but take a look.

no need for that as the OP is talking about buying wheels and tires from Tire Rack. They mount them for free (if purchasing both at the same time from TR).

EAGLE5 · 09-28-2013, 11:29 PM

I tend to go to America's Tire or Discount Tire. They're the same company. I get good service every time. They can get the tire the same day or next day. They rotate and re-balance for free. They also, as far as I can tell, treat their employees right. They also helped me get warranty money on Michelins.

Zagmeister · 09-28-2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRyeS

So I'm about the pull the trigger on a set of snow tires / steelies from Tire Rack. The shipping charge is $165 which kind of threw me off.

So I did a little looking locally and it seems like the shipping charge from tire rack is made up for with the savings vs. the higher prices from the local shops + all their little add-ons.

I can't find any compelling argument against buying from Tire Rack although typically this isn't something you'd think to buy online. (for me anyway)

My question is this, has anyone else made this same type of comparison and had the same result bear out?

I did the exact same thing last year with snow tires / steelies from Tire Rack and all. Shipping was $90 from their warehouse in Indiana to Illinois.

Unless you live somewhere remote and very "special" in the Midwest, the quoted shipping charge seems excessive to me!

Miniata · 09-28-2013, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zagmeister

I did the exact same thing last year with snow tires / steelies from Tire Rack and all. Shipping was $90 from their warehouse in Indiana to Illinois.

Unless you live somewhere remote and very "special" in the Midwest, the quoted shipping charge seems excessive to me!

Those charges do seem rather high. I just quickly priced two steel wheel and snow tire packages (16" & 17") for my BRZ from Tire Rack and shipping charges were $120-125 for each set, to Ohio.

VietnamPhenom · 09-29-2013, 01:24 AM

Some discount tires and other local shops price match Tire Rack's prices. I know the Discount Tire around here will price match Tire Rack's tire prices. I tend to buy from local shops due to the fact that its easier to deal with warranty issues. Most big corporate shops like Discount Tires and Firestone offer a lifetime balance and rotate. Its a nice thing to have instead of constantly paying to have your wheels rebalanced.

brz7400 · 09-29-2013, 08:47 AM

For wheels+tires, tirerack should be good.
For just tires or just wheels, the install charges will get you so you're better off local.

09-28-2013, 04:59 PM	#1
FRyeS Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S Asphalt 6MT Location: Midwest Posts: 116 Thanks: 109 Thanked 83 Times in 26 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	tire rack vs random local shops So I'm about the pull the trigger on a set of snow tires / steelies from Tire Rack. The shipping charge is $165 which kind of threw me off. So I did a little looking locally and it seems like the shipping charge from tire rack is made up for with the savings vs. the higher prices from the local shops + all their little add-ons. I can't find any compelling argument against buying from Tire Rack although typically this isn't something you'd think to buy online. (for me anyway) My question is this, has anyone else made this same type of comparison and had the same result bear out?

09-28-2013, 07:22 PM	#2
Miniata Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ - 90 Miata - 07 FXT -05 Mini Location: Ohio Posts: 546 Thanks: 6 Thanked 142 Times in 105 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I compared buying the snow tire & wheel package from Tire Rack vs a local Discount Tire store for our Forester. It came out to be a little cheaper from Tire Rack IIRC. Had to pay tax at Discount Tire plus mounting and balancing and other hidden fees at DT vs the simple wheel + tire + shipping charges from Tire Rack. __________________ 17x7 Kosei K1-TS w/ 215/45-17 Dunlop Star Specs Nameless Track Pipe - Strano front sway bar

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09-28-2013, 07:53 PM	#3
White64Goat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ CBS LTD MT, 02 WRX Location: Fred. Co. Md. Posts: 2,348 Thanks: 65 Thanked 1,111 Times in 627 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Check tirebuyer.com for comparison.

09-28-2013, 10:13 PM	#4
DAMotorsports Banned Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS "Raven" Location: SoCal Posts: 503 Thanks: 335 Thanked 467 Times in 215 Posts Mentioned: 85 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	se if there is a tire rack installer in your area. they you can buy from tire rack and install local. I'm not sure if they still offer this but take a look.

09-29-2013, 01:24 AM	#9
VietnamPhenom Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: 2013 FR-S WHITEOUT Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 61 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Some discount tires and other local shops price match Tire Rack's prices. I know the Discount Tire around here will price match Tire Rack's tire prices. I tend to buy from local shops due to the fact that its easier to deal with warranty issues. Most big corporate shops like Discount Tires and Firestone offer a lifetime balance and rotate. Its a nice thing to have instead of constantly paying to have your wheels rebalanced.

09-29-2013, 08:47 AM	#10
brz7400 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 138 Thanks: 84 Thanked 30 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	For wheels+tires, tirerack should be good. For just tires or just wheels, the install charges will get you so you're better off local.

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