Tire rack
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 237
Likes: 7
I didn't know people bought tires anywhere else. years ago local installers had a real problem with people that bought tires from tire rack and then had them install them, but recently since tire rack has become so big the installers have no problems anymore. Check Tire Racks website for local installers in your zip code.
The other good thing about tire rack is they sell so many tires that you don't get an old dry rotted set that have been sitting around for years like so other places.
The other good thing about tire rack is they sell so many tires that you don't get an old dry rotted set that have been sitting around for years like so other places.
Last edited by high9s; Sep 2, 2014 at 05:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Yes, I've done it. Had them drop shipped to NTB both times. NTB will come close to price matching with Tire Rack if you want to go that route though. If there's a problem you can take them back to NTB rather than dealing with Tire Rack via long distance. The local Chevy dealer I use also does tire price matching.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 915
Likes: 24
sometimes it makes sense to try to establish more of a relationship with a local shop, but I don't find that to be the case any more. tire rack and the likes have become too large, tire shops will be happy to take your money just on the mount and balancing. low profile / wide tires can be more difficult to mount, I would do some research on who will be doing the work on yours and ensure you have good evidence of the 'before' condition of your wheels.. accidents happen in this line of work!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
I have bought one set of tires from them and it was a horrible experience.
Bought 4 tires and had them shipped the recommended installer near my home. One tire kept leaking down and after repeated attempts to find the leak it was found that the bead was damaged because they banded all 4 tires together for shipment and bound them so tight that it cut into one of the outside tires bead.
Once it was discovered Tire Rack said it was the installers error. I pointed out that it was the way they were shipped, not installed. They then offered to sell me a new tire at a discount!!!
I complained to the manager and got no where until I posted a bad review on their web site and then they quickly contacted me and offered me a new tire for free.
Glen
Bought 4 tires and had them shipped the recommended installer near my home. One tire kept leaking down and after repeated attempts to find the leak it was found that the bead was damaged because they banded all 4 tires together for shipment and bound them so tight that it cut into one of the outside tires bead.
Once it was discovered Tire Rack said it was the installers error. I pointed out that it was the way they were shipped, not installed. They then offered to sell me a new tire at a discount!!!
I complained to the manager and got no where until I posted a bad review on their web site and then they quickly contacted me and offered me a new tire for free.
Glen
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 34
From: King George Virginia
I have a set in UPS right now for my Z06 and expect them to be in tomorrow. I tried using one of their premium installers, I went to the shop last week and it was a dump and nothing like the glowing reviews they had. They had no idea what a jacking puck was and had no intentions of using them. I called Tire Rack back and had them shipped to my local Dealership to have them installed and hunter road force balanced where I have never had any issues. Their investigating the installer.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 515
Likes: 42
From: Littleton CO
Yup, no problems. Tirerack recommends various Goodyear, Firestone and Pepboys shops here near me and all was smooth.
I think with any product or service people can have a bad experience on occasion. What happens if something goes wrong, is what makes the difference to me.
I think Tirerack is one of the safer choices and I'd have no problem using them again.
PS: Recently though, thanks to a local forum member's recommendation, I've used Discount Tire for 3 sets of SUV tires and Michelin ZP's for the Vette. They do nothing but wheels and tires and have 5 bays running with many higher end and high performance cars. Great service, rotations, balancing, flat repairs, TPMS fixes. They repaired my Vette's OEM's twice for free. Initial price (with installation) was only a few bucks more plus I get lifetime balancing.
I think with any product or service people can have a bad experience on occasion. What happens if something goes wrong, is what makes the difference to me.
I think Tirerack is one of the safer choices and I'd have no problem using them again.
PS: Recently though, thanks to a local forum member's recommendation, I've used Discount Tire for 3 sets of SUV tires and Michelin ZP's for the Vette. They do nothing but wheels and tires and have 5 bays running with many higher end and high performance cars. Great service, rotations, balancing, flat repairs, TPMS fixes. They repaired my Vette's OEM's twice for free. Initial price (with installation) was only a few bucks more plus I get lifetime balancing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1,187
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
I have bought many sets of tires from Tire Rack with no problems and had them shipped to whomever I chose to install them. For my Vette I send them to my local Chevy dealer who turned out to be the most economical to use for installation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Many times and never a problem. I should be ordering another pair this week. Call an installer on the Tire Rack list just to make sure they have the equipment to do the job. Tell them you will have them drop shipped. Tire Rack will keep you informed of the shipping. When they arrive call again for an appointment. Can't get much simpler.
The price should always be better because the local shop doesn't have to invest money in tires they may or may not sell quickly or mess with a "Just In Time" ordering procedure. This is especially true with the low volume tires that fit Corvettes.
The price should always be better because the local shop doesn't have to invest money in tires they may or may not sell quickly or mess with a "Just In Time" ordering procedure. This is especially true with the low volume tires that fit Corvettes.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 419
Likes: 39
From: Helena Alabama
One word of caution. Most of the Goodyear and Firestone dealers in my area that are installers for Tire Rack, Discount Tires and other internet tire dealers have a disclaimer on their web site stating that they will not install non-run flat tires on a vehicle the came equipped with run flats. Check closely if you are switching to non-run flats.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
It pays to shop and consider the extras when you buy from TR. I have been able to buy cheaper locally in some cases, unless you find a healthy discount deal through TR.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
I've done it for years. Last two sets....Pilot Super Sports and Toyo R888s (track tires 
) I bought and had installed here in Los Angeles. Prior to that, I bought a couple sets of Nittos and had them installed when I lived in Seattle. And prior to that (guess I can't settle down 
), I bought and had some Goodyears installed when I lived in St. Louis. Never an issue 
The key is to find an installer you trust and has good reviews. Don't just have them shipped to some place random.
) I bought and had installed here in Los Angeles. Prior to that, I bought a couple sets of Nittos and had them installed when I lived in Seattle. And prior to that (guess I can't settle down ), I bought and had some Goodyears installed when I lived in St. Louis. Never an issue The key is to find an installer you trust and has good reviews. Don't just have them shipped to some place random.