Tire Rack - I don't get it.

[bren]

Originally Posted by lemming

i think your math is skewed by the fact that you have Discount Tire, which is a national coast to coast chain with a burgeoning internet division, near you.

in the metro Boston area, the chain stores are Direct Tire, NTB and Goodyear and the markup on tires is like jewelry so it is a huge cost savings, even having to pay absurd mounting fees, to order online.

What he said.

[Rob]

You also ignored tax I think - no tax on the tire rack tires, tax on the discount tires. What's your state tax? 7% on the $850 ZHP tire bill is another $60 (roughly, I did all that in my head).

[equ]

Tirerack has decent prices (sometimes the best sometimes not but never a rape) and a huge selection. Further, it has great tests, reviews and excellent wheel fitment info. It gives every impression of a very good company. Try finding a pair of 265/40-18's at discount.

[lupinsea]

Originally Posted by rwg

You also ignored tax I think - no tax on the tire rack tires, tax on the discount tires. What's your state tax? 7% on the $850 ZHP tire bill is another $60 (roughly, I did all that in my head).

Taxes in WA are weird. There's a move in our state legislature to tax internet transactions based on where the buyer lives (i.e. WA state). It either just be came law, is in the process of becoming law, or is being pushed by a sizable majority of state lawmakers which almost makes it a foregone conclusion. So, that no-sales-tax advantage doesn't, or wont, mean much but the time I go to buy tires.

And our sales tax is 8.9% (no state income tax, though).

[lemming]

Originally Posted by lupinsea

Taxes in WA are weird. There's a move in our state legislature to tax internet transactions based on where the buyer lives (i.e. WA state). It either just be came law, is in the process of becoming law, or is being pushed by a sizable majority of state lawmakers which almost makes it a foregone conclusion. So, that no-sales-tax advantage doesn't, or wont, mean much but the time I go to buy tires.

And our sales tax is 8.9% (no state income tax, though).

with all due respect to jeep tires --when i had burned through the rears on the Z06 --the local installer's best quote was $550 per tire mounted and balanced. at the tirerack, i got the same tire at $360 per tire and paid $50 to mount them both.

so, i'd guess that in ultimate high performance tires, where the markup for local vendors is absurdly high, your discounting difference gets larger and larger.

[lupinsea]

That's making more sense.

I know a lot of guys on here use Tire Rack . . . but I couldn't figure out why based on the tires I was looking at.

Even with the ZHP's fancy ZHP tires it's almost a wash.

[lip277]

I've looked at Tire Rack off and on for years and never seen a real substantial savings (on what I was needing) to pull their trigger.

I guess it just happens to be the cars and trucks I drive don't need tires that are too unique......