Question about TireRack
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,412
Likes: 118
Question about TireRack
Or any other internet tire store. I have read on here where many have bought tires from such places and my question is, Who mounts them for you? I would think if I showed up at some tire store with my internet purchased tires and wanted them mounted they would be a little upset and want to over charge because I didn't purchase tires from them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Tire Rack has a GREAT relationship with local installers. In fact you can have your tires drop shipped to the installer of your choice. They'll GLADLY set up an appointment to have them put on for you. Good Luck!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Norton Shores MI
We've used Tire Rack recommended installers on every tire replacement/fitment for each of our cars and have been completely satisfied. Never so much as a visible finger print on the wheel rim. Tire Rack Rules 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,636
Likes: 1,185
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
I had my tires dropped shipped to my local installer and they did not bat an eye, in fact advised me they were familiar with the drop shipping program and had installed tires for other customers. Did not seem to care that had not sold me the tires and never complained.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 174
From: Melbourne FL
St. Jude Donor '09 & '11
I've never (4 time purchaser) had a problem using their recommended local installer.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chatsworth California
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
Tirerack drop-ships to our local National Tire & Battery, with whom they have a formal relationship. NTB installs and balances those tires for a very modest fee. I've done business with Tirerack and our local NTB for twenty years and have never had any problems with them whatsoever.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 484
From: Portland Oregon
A lot of times, the small local dealers purchase their tires from Tire Rack. Once you know the tire you want to put on the car, I would first check your local tire shop and ask them if they can get the tire and how much it is. A lot of times the price is the same as Tire Rack (especially if you add in the shipping charges that you would have with Tire Rack). If the price is the same (or if they will match Tire Rack's price) I prefer to buy from the local shop and have them install the tires.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
Tire Rack
Just had a local installer (Professional Auto Service in New Bern,nc) put 4 tires from the Tire Rack on my BMW yesterday. They were drop shipped and the installer called me when they arrived (4days after I ordered them). They lovingly cared fro the BBS wheels and carefully torqued them after mounting. The Tire Rack rates their installers based on feedback from customers. The infor is available on their website.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,661
Likes: 3
From: Live in S.Dayton, Work in Cincinnati Ohio
EVERY set of tires I've bought since about 1999 has come from Tirerack. Prices can't be beat even after you factor in shipping, mounting, balancing. I called a local Goodyear dealer once and was quoted a price that was $75/tire higher than Tirerack and that was not counting mount/balance. Even after shipping, mount & balance at another tire shop, I still came out a couple hundred ahead of the GY dealer. The shop I use will take drop shipped orders and they welcome the business because you're more likely to go back to them for future work. I've had flats fixed on other cars at the same shop and they've always welcomed my business.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 684
Likes: 38
From: Sagle, Idaho
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Maybe I'm spoiled by Costco's $10 per tire mount/balance/lifetime rotation fee, but the TireRack installers in my area want $45 per corner. That seems real high. Can't speak to their quality because I've never used one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,123
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From: Issaquah WA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
To the original question, yes, there are stores that don't appreciate being undercut. And yes, it's true that some of the smaller (and not so small) tire stores actually get their tires from tirerack warehouses. So, it's not a bad idea to know the price that tirerack will charge you and go in with that to your local store.
I'll also say that I've been using tirerack since the very early 1990s. They are a great, retail and wholesale store. Doesn't mean they don't make mistakes, but they know how to correct it to make you feel good to the extent that they can.
IMO, they are on a par with a very select few internet stores that I've used such as Summit Racing, MidAmerica, etc. Any installation tire store that turns away your biz because you bought less expensively somewhere else won't be around much longer, or is barely hanging on. It's just not smart.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 37
From: Laurel Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
The Corvette Specialty shop that I use for non warranty work gets tires delivered to them from Tire Rack all the time. They are not on Tire Racks recommend installer list, but they will send them anywhere you tell them to. I've heard of folks buying Goodyears from Tire Rack and have them delivered to a Goodyear retailer for install--
eddie
eddie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
I've had them drop shipped to Motomotion twice in the last 3 years. MM is 4 miles west of Medina OH on St Rt 18.TireRack has them rated as 4 1/2 stars for service. Call Brian there. They're great professionals. They forgot to put my 2 best runflats in my trunk 2 weeks ago, so they brought them up to Cleveland the next morning. Even NTB told me to buy tires at TR and ship them to NTB.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,726
Likes: 710
From: Bergen County, NJ
...and those installation prices on Tire Racks website are not always accurate. Check the price with the installer before ordering.