Buy Tires Online
Buying tires online is becoming a common practice. More online retailers are offering tires online with free shipping making the purchase much more attractive. Consumers looking for the best tire prices are finding them online. This article will examine some of the pros and cons in the decision to purchase tires online.
Why are tires so expensive?
Tire prices have risen dramatically in the last 5 years. A combination of factors have come into play in setting tire prices. The major factors involved in the price of tires include the following:
- The rising cost of rubber. Rubber has gone up 500% in the last 10 years as more people compete for finite resources.
- The rising cost of steel used in tire construction. (Most steel is made offshore, mostly in Asia)
- The price of oil. A tire consists of approximately 20% petroleum products. (It’s where tires get their black color, natural rubber is not black)
- Tariff on tires made in China (includes Chinese brands AND US brands that used to be made here, now made in China)
- Vehicle manufacturers using higher profit ‘specialty tires’ with larger diameters, short stiff sidewalls and higher speed ratings.
- Production cuts, plant closures, and manufacturing moved offshore at the height of the recession has decreased inventory and raised demand.
Auto manufacturers have opted to install larger diameter wheels on vehicles in recent years. These wheels require tires with shorter, stiffer sidewalls. Previously tires of this nature were used in high performance applications. As a result, the replacement tire for your SUV with 19 inch rims may carry a V speed rating despite the fact that your SUV is seldom likely to actually need a tire rated at 149 MPH. Manufacturers fearing product liability lawsuits always recommend that you replace your tires with comparable replacements to the original equipment. This ‘fear factor’ keeps you buying high cost tires that have a huge profit margin built into them. One recent article I read discussed the owner of a late model Camaro ($31,000 US) that came equipped with the same Pirelli performance tires as original equipment as found on a $250,000 Ferrari. Imagine the owners dismay to find that replacement tires for his Camaro would cost $500 per tire.
Advantage to Buying Tires Online
Tire prices online are generally much lower than conventional brick and mortar tire retailers. Online sellers can negotiate volume deals on tires with manufacturers and consolidate inventory in central locations. This results in cost savings that can be passed directly to you, the consumer, as layers of intermediaries are eliminated.
Buying tires online allows you to make price comparisons without the pressure of the up-sell. In the up-sell, you are usually asked to make an immediate decision without any research on the decision. This may not be in your best interest as a consumer.
Shopping online allows you to compare tire prices, read reviews from owners, and compare tires for characteristics most desirable for your application. For example, the ability of a tire to perform in snow is low on my list here on the Gulf coast, but I am very interested in how a tire handles in the rain and how much road noise I can expect from a particular tire. Shopping online allows you to spend as much time as you would like comparing reviews and prices for tires.
Purchasing tires online may eliminate state and local sales taxes. This varies according to locale and may not be applicable in all instances. Online tire sellers have the advantage of warehousing tires in multiple locations around the country, buying inventory in bulk which can reduce costs, and the advantage of storing that inventory in lower rent warehouse areas away from the high rental districts most brick and mortar stores must operate within.
How to Purchase Tires Online
There are several steps and considerations to making a tire purchase online. The first consideration is your time frame. Purchasing tires online will be most successful when the purchase is planned in advance. I will break it down into the major steps with a bit of discussion about each step.
Step One: Determine your current tire size and make. This information is found on the sidewall of your tire. The tire brand, the model of the tire and the size will all be listed. For example you might see something like Michelin Pilot in larger print with the size information in smaller print. It will be something like 205/55/R16. The tire websites all have information to decode this for you. Don’t despair if this seems complex. Most all online tire sellers have a series of drop down menus that allow you to select tires based on your car make, year, and model. The information on your existing tires allows you to make a confirmation or can tell if the current tires are replacements that differ from original equipment.
Step Two: Locate an installer. Most tire stores, including Wal Mart, will install your tires with new valve stems and balance them for a per tire charge. There will also be a used tire disposal fee in most localities. Many of the online tire retailers have installation agreements with installers already in place. This is one of the things to research in your decision making process. Here again, most all online tire resellers have some means for you to find installers on their website. A search by zip code or address is the most common. Some online sellers also have retail stores. This can make the purchase very seamless to complete.
Step Three: Order the tires online. Now is a good time for a word about shipping. The thing to remember about shipping is that faster always costs more. Be patient, plan ahead and save on shipping.
It may be possible to have your tires dropped shipped to the installer. This can make tire replacement a nearly effortless process. When using a third party installer, I would definitely talk to the installer first to make them aware of your intentions. Nobody likes surprises.
Summary
Hopefully this article will be useful in saving you money on your next tire purchase. Discount Tire is a chain that has retail locations and purchasing options for others located out of reach of their retail locations. Give their site a look. Good luck on your next tire purchase.