Is TireRack worth it after shipping, mounting?
#1
Is TireRack worth it after shipping, mounting?
Starting to shop for winter tires and maybe wheels. Once you factor in having to mount and balance tires from TireRack, and factor in shipping, is it still really much of a bargain?
Curious what experience you guys might have re: the value of buying online like this. Didnt see a thread like this. If I missed it, flame away I guess. But be a sport and still help please.
Curious what experience you guys might have re: the value of buying online like this. Didnt see a thread like this. If I missed it, flame away I guess. But be a sport and still help please.
#4
I have ordered my last 3-4 sets of tires online as it ends up saving me money that way. I have access to mounting and balancing machines, but even if I didn't do it myself I'd end up saving $40-50 by having a small local tire shop do the mount/balance over paying a larger retailer for the same tires and service. The tax savings alone (vs buying locally) pays for almost half the mount/balance.
#7
If you get a full wheel/tire package, I think TR is a heck of a deal. Stuff shows up on your doorstep and you bolt it on. Done.
For tires alone, less so. I'd print off what they advertise and see if a local shop can make you a good deal based on that. Obviously, a local shop may not have the tires you want, but probably will for a winter tire.
For tires alone, less so. I'd print off what they advertise and see if a local shop can make you a good deal based on that. Obviously, a local shop may not have the tires you want, but probably will for a winter tire.
#10
Make friends with your local Discount Tire manager, and if DT doesn't have a set of tires you're looking for, they'll order it for you through TR. I bought my Rivals through DT and came out $10 ahead (no shipping, mounting and balancing, less taxes, etc).
Also if you tell them that you can get a set of tires that TR does have cheaper, they'll beat the price on the spot. I think when I got tires for the Mazda2, I picked up some rock hard Yokohamas that were $10 cheaper on TR, and the dude knocked off $15 per tire in store while ordering.
Also if you tell them that you can get a set of tires that TR does have cheaper, they'll beat the price on the spot. I think when I got tires for the Mazda2, I picked up some rock hard Yokohamas that were $10 cheaper on TR, and the dude knocked off $15 per tire in store while ordering.
#13
Make friends with your local Discount Tire manager, and if DT doesn't have a set of tires you're looking for, they'll order it for you through TR. I bought my Rivals through DT and came out $10 ahead (no shipping, mounting and balancing, less taxes, etc).
Also if you tell them that you can get a set of tires that TR does have cheaper, they'll beat the price on the spot. I think when I got tires for the Mazda2, I picked up some rock hard Yokohamas that were $10 cheaper on TR, and the dude knocked off $15 per tire in store while ordering.
Also if you tell them that you can get a set of tires that TR does have cheaper, they'll beat the price on the spot. I think when I got tires for the Mazda2, I picked up some rock hard Yokohamas that were $10 cheaper on TR, and the dude knocked off $15 per tire in store while ordering.
#14
Since TR is only about an hours drive from my house. The fact I can order a set in the morning and they arrive same day is pretty awesome.
I ******* hate dealing with local tire places like Discount Tire etc. They often has no idea what i'm talking about and never have anything in stock, always have to order it. Plus I don't trust them to balance my wheels right.
I luckily have a local buddy with a tire machine I can mount tires with for the cost of a sub sandwhich and soda.
I ******* hate dealing with local tire places like Discount Tire etc. They often has no idea what i'm talking about and never have anything in stock, always have to order it. Plus I don't trust them to balance my wheels right.
I luckily have a local buddy with a tire machine I can mount tires with for the cost of a sub sandwhich and soda.
#15
My only grip about tire rack was that they first refused to mount 225 tires on 15x9 6ULs. I was like "wtf you sell your own 15x9 that you mount the exact same tires on" and they were like "duuuurrrrrrrrrrrr." Then they gave in and made me sign that I wouldn't use the tires on a street car.
I've ordered online the first time and picked up in person the second time after the local DT screwed up the finish on my daily driver's wheels. IMHO I trusted that the people at TR may be slightly more careful with my wheels than the 19 year old at DT.
I've ordered online the first time and picked up in person the second time after the local DT screwed up the finish on my daily driver's wheels. IMHO I trusted that the people at TR may be slightly more careful with my wheels than the 19 year old at DT.
#18
I order race tires wherever I can get them cheapest, which is ebay more often than not. Tire Rack on occasion, as a friend mounts my race wheels. Street tires, I go to Discount Tire. As mentioned, they will give me the same price out the door on tires mounted and balanced as they would if I ordered from Tire Rack and paid them to mount and balance.