Tires from Costco or Sam's

Always price check. Every time I get tires I check them out but they are always more $$ than the local places.

I checked Costco on the 2 sets of tires I just bought, Michelin Premiers for DWs Magnum and another set of Revo's for the burb. The local Tire Discounters was about $50 more on each set, but they also include a free alignment which I believe is a good idea when buying new tires. In fact they also diagnosed a bad right inner tie rod on the Magnum. I declined the repair, so they aligned it as best they could, and gave me a certificate good for another alignment within 30 days.

I confirmed the diagnosis, ordered the part from Rock Auto, and took it back for another alignment on the house. I know not all tires dealers are this honest but these guys are, or maybe it's just this location, but I have found them to be competent and trustworthy.

Nothing wrong with buying tires at Costco, but that's all you get is 4 tires, mounted/balanced and out the door. FYI if you do decide to buy from Costco, the prices online are cheaper than they are in the store....best bet is to order online, have them shipped to your local store, and when they arrive the store will call you to schedule an appt to install. This is what the tire manager at the local Costco told me anyways....

I was able to get both mfrs promotions at TD as well...

DonPd wrote:
Purchasing tires from Costco or Sam's. Is it a good idea.

Yes. It can be a good idea. Depends on what's most important to you when you make such a purchase, and for what vehicle. If for a passenger vehicle, then it can make a lot of sense.

I've purchased tires from Sam's Club for many years, the last set of Michelins I put on my Buick were from Sam's. I'm now in the market for 4 new Michelins for my Tahoe. For me, it's a matter of price, since I already know the tires I want are excellent tires.

Costco and Sam's club in this area have comparable prices on the tires I want, and apparently Michelin, in conjunction with each of those retailers, provides a $70 discount on a set of 4 tires. Costco just had that offering in January, Sam's Club now does. One also has to factor in the cost of membership; if one is already a member and have paid the annual fee, then it may not be an issue.

I recently found that WalMart offers the exact same tires on line at a "rollback" price that is around $10/tire cheaper than the Sam's deal WITH the $70 discount. Those tires can be shipped to the store of my choice, and then I can have them mounted at that store (my son works there in the T&LE department). All things considered (mounting and balancing plus road hazard), the WalMart price out the door is going to be cheaper. They will therefore get my business. For me, it's all about the price and availability of service if I should ever need it, and there's far more WalMarts than Sam's and Costco.

The tire service bay is too crowded for space at our Costco. I go elsewhere.

I have bought many sets of tires from Costco.

Last two sets I price checked with Discount tire and they beat Costco easily on MS2's and their installation was top notch.

No SAMs Club close to me, but I've purchased many tires for various vehicles at Costco. They have a decent price and very good service. I have not purchased tires for the trailer there as I would have to take them off and bring them in. I did pric compare them and they were the same as where I could pull the trailer into.

I think that buying tires from Costco or Sam's Club is basically a good idea, with one large thing that make it a negative. First of all, buying tires from them, you get good quality tires. Second, there are stores all over the US and Canada to service them.

The problem? Not all stores will sell them to a trailer owner. An example would be when I had my Alpenlite fifth-wheel, I checked with four Costco stores in the Sacramento area, before I found one who would put tires on the rig. Curious, I checked with other cities in other towns, and they are all the same. Some will put them on and some won't. some will service them some won't.

If you are buying them for a pick-up truck used to pull the trailer. Absolutely buy them at the stores.

If the price is right, why not?

Why not? Costco/Sams doesn't make tires, they sell the same tires that lots of places sell. I put Michelins from Costco on our truck. Great tires, service and price from Costco.