Tire Purchase Help - Local Store vs. Tire Rack (Mail Order)

I agree, same as if you went to a Midas instead of me. Local business is important, but if the store you are going to is profiting a large corporation and not a Mom and Pop so to speak I don't think it matters. Bottom line, don't sweat $40 for local support.

 

I've been buying from Discount Tire for years and their road hazard is always free. The one they charge for is the non prorated road hazard. Example: If you had an unrepairable tire and there was 2/32 of tread you get a free tire.

 

If you have a good local tire store, with a good track record and the price is close enough, go local.
Support the local business, to make sure you have a place close by that will be there for you when you need them, for a flat or to re-balance that one tire that has lost the weights, or stuff like that.

 

I just green-lighted the special order from the local tire place.

BTW, they do not offer a prorated replacement warranty, but will repair any tire that is fixable. (They guys said "we should, because it's a big money maker for tire businesses.)

There was a less expensive "W" speed rated alternative that an F-chatter pointed out. Tire Rack had it and the local guy called and basically matched the price. The pricing worked out like this:

Tire Source (Local):
$532 for tires, including mounting and balancing
$10 disposal fee for existing tires
$585 total, after adding 8% tax


Tire Rack (Mail Order)
$439 for tires
$50 Shipping
$10 disposal fee paid to local store
$50 for mounting and balancing paid to local store (exact)
No sales tax
$549 total


Difference is $36, easy decision.

My only concerns:
1. Local tire place does not do Road Force Balancing (and dismissed it as not being necessary). This conflicts with other expert opinions so I don't know what the deal is.

2. I'm concerned about the age of the tires that I'm getting in. I have an agreement that if the tires we get in are too old, local place will just send them back.