Buying tires from Walmart and mounting them elsewhere

So I've decided to get a set of Cooper Discoverer A/T3's for my Tacoma and I'm about to pull the trigger now because of the Cooper summer rebate running through 7/15. The last decision is whether I should buy them at local tire shop, or buy them through Walmart or some other mail-order company and have them mounted and balanced at a local shop. I have a few good tire shops near me so it's not a matter of trying to find a reputable shop - it's just a matter of total cost. I've done both options over the years although my only mail-order experience has been through Tire Rack not Walmart or Discount Tire, etc.

If the total price for both options was close I would choose to purchase the tires from a local shop, but the total price difference comes out to about $150 difference (or more) overall if I estimate the cost of the tire plus mounting, balancing, stems, fees, etc. On the plus side, if I purchase the tires from a local shop they will be more likely to help me if there is a problem with one of the tires. In the end, I'm not made of money so cost is a top concern.

What say ye?

 

Now that I see how Walmart factors in the pickup discount I can get the tires for $370 which is dirt cheap. I wonder if they are seconds...

 

Factory rims? Aftermarket?

I prefer to have them mounted and balanced at a shop that has a Road Force Balancer. Promises a smoother ride on a Tacoma that way.

 

For 4 new tires?? That's $92.50 each.

You could always ask if they are new, retread, seconds... maybe they'll know?

 

Problem with mail order tires from 2nd tier stores like Walmart is the date code of the tire. They might already be 2-ish years old, out of a 6 year rubber age life expectancy.

Not a problem if you drive enough to wear them out on mileage prior to the 6 year window closing.

One way to address that is have the tires shipped to your actual store (not your home) for your pickup. Check the dates, refuse the tire(s) that don't meet whatever you make your goal. And try again. Could be a pain, could work fine.

At your local tire shop you can make those dates part of your criteria, but they'd be the ones doing the checking and swapping for you if the wrong thing arrived from the warehouse.

Just something to consider. Only you can do the calculations relative to time and wear.

Good luck!

 

I'm all for getting a good deal but this one seems a little too good to be true.

 

Check out Discount Tire Direct. Free shipping, no tax, etc. I've done that with 4 sets of tires now, and just get them mounted at a local shop. What's even better is if you can buy them there and get them mounted at a Discount tire store. I believe it was $120 but that was purchasing the warranty on the tires which included free mounting and balancing. Overall that route was only $20 more, so well worth it.