Online tires

[chille51]

Hey all, just wondering if anyone has any real world experience - good or bad - with ordering tires online rather than from a traditional shop? Places like blackcircles.ca, 1010tires, canadawheels.ca etc. seem to have some pretty compelling prices, but I wonder if there are some hidden costs or other bad experiences folks may have had? Either way I am going to need to take them to a shop to have them mounted and balanced etc. anyway - so if the cost of doing so negates the savings, I figure I'm better off just to keep my money with the local guys.

I've got the stock 3 season Perelli P rated tires on my F150 still - want something all weather rated and a little more robust for towing.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

It’s hard to beat Canadian tire when they have a 4 for 3 sale, or 25% off. Or Costco. One thing to consider is road hazard warranty, and where you can get it fixed. There’s a CT and Costco in most communities.

 

[kaelc]

West coast tires if you are the South Island. Their service can’t be beat and their prices often too. With balancing and wheel based pressure monitors seems worth it to go local. 4.9 stars on the Google https://maps.app.goo.gl/jwqDBbuJDzqakApp6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

 

[Corey_lax]

I’ve bought two sets of tires from 1010tires online. Their pricing was better than everyone else I could find. They have actual stores for when you go to install. It’s just nice to order online and book a time for install, and not have to talk to some salesman

 

[Pineapple Express]

I used to have a connection at a shop so I could have tires mounted & balanced for free...that made the online vendors viable. But without a connection like that I find that the online shops aren't that great because you then have to find a place to mount the tires and they know they didn't get the sale so charge full pop for mounting.

I have used 1010tires.com picked up at their physical stores (once in Coquitlam, once in South Van). They were OK.

I have also printed out the online tire prices and used that for negotiation with a local shop that I like dealing with.

 

[sudsy]

I've used pmc tire twice now - tires came mounted, balanced and ready for install. No issues, and cheaper than anything I could find locally for the same tire/ rim combo. I like that you can get them ready to bolt on with tpm sensors.

 

[zurk]

i only buy nokian 4 seasons from kal tire so thats where i go.

 

[SpringVelocity]

Hey all, just wondering if anyone has any real world experience - good or bad - with ordering tires online rather than from a traditional shop? Places like blackcircles.ca, 1010tires, canadawheels.ca etc. seem to have some pretty compelling prices, but I wonder if there are some hidden costs or other bad experiences folks may have had? Either way I am going to need to take them to a shop to have them mounted and balanced etc. anyway - so if the cost of doing so negates the savings, I figure I'm better off just to keep my money with the local guys.

I've got the stock 3 season Perelli P rated tires on my F150 still - want something all weather rated and a little more robust for towing.

I tried that with some places you listed. It ended up be cheaper at Cedar Tire in mid island. Pretty much everyone mid island goes there.

My latest truck tires Toyo Open Country A/T. Been quite with them.

 

[Sir Reel]

i only buy nokian 4 seasons from kal tire so thats where i go.

Best Winter Tires. Nokian Hakkapeliitta. Have them on all my vehicles for Winter.

 

[chille51]

Thanks all. I'm in Nanaimo, should have mentioned that. Nearest 1010tires installers are either Alberni or Victoria. blackcircles.ca has a deal with a shop in Nanaimo, so that's an option I guess. Preferably would work with one of the local shops directly I think, unless the online deal is markedly better.

 

[Max123]

Just a note - if you can pickup a spare set of rims and get dedicated winter tires it transforms your winter driving experience. While the up front cost is a little higher, it all evens out in the long run as you spread the wear out over two sets so they last significantly longer - and you are running the tires in the condition they were designed for.

When I bought my GX470 it came with a set of Pirellis All Terrain Scorpions. A fine tire, but not a very good winter tire even though it has the snowflake. I picked up a set of nice 4Runner rims for $400, and then got a set of dedicated Kumho winter tires for $800. The Kumho's are a 'winter only' tire, and they wear terribly if you run them too late into the spring, but they are phenomenal in the snow and eliminate a lot of the 'pucker' factor when you need to brake quickly, or find yourself cornering a bit too fast for the conditions. I ski and travel frequently on Highway 3 during the winter, and wouldn't do it any other way.

The problem with most 4WD vehicles is that any bozo can get them moving with liberal application of the gas pedal, but with the wrong tires they do not stop or turn.

 

[ratherbefishing]

If you are in Nanaimo, just go to Cedar Tire.

 

[chille51]

If you are in Nanaimo, just go to Cedar Tire.

Yeah, I will have to phone them or go to the store. Their website turns up zero results for the size I need (275/60/R20).

 

[BigBird007]

Simon and the boys at blackcircle.ca are great, I deal with them weekly.

As a shop owner I would prefer you buy the tires in house but understand I can’t always compete with online companies or dedicated tire shops.

 

[chille51]

Simon and the boys at blackcircle.ca are great, I deal with them weekly.

As a shop owner I would prefer you buy the tires in house but understand I can’t always compete with online companies or dedicated tire shops.

That's super interesting to have the perspective of a shop owner. I have assumed most would not want to bother with me if I am bringing tires I got somewhere else and just want to pay for the labour to have them mounted. Can't say I would blame them either.

 

[Max123]

That's super interesting to have the perspective of a shop owner. I have assumed most would not want to bother with me if I am bringing tires I got somewhere else and just want to pay for the labour to have them mounted. Can't say I would blame them either.

Shops are mounting/dismounting tires all the time for seasonal changeover, tire repair and charging you for their labour. While I'm sure it used to be the case that they made most of their money marking up tire sales, there's no way that's the case any longer as they are all competing against online sellers that sell at massive volume. The shops that do well are the ones provide good service.

Here's what you want: Shop that will tell you if you have a bent rim, will install a new valve stem if needed, properly balance the tire, tighten lugs with a torque wrench, will install a proper internal patch when you need a repair.

Amazing how few shops do all these things - and I have no problem paying shop labour rates for good service.

 

[Ringo]

Shops are mounting/dismounting tires all the time for seasonal changeover, tire repair and charging you for their labour. While I'm sure it used to be the case that they made most of their money marking up tire sales, there's no way that's the case any longer as they are all competing against online sellers that sell at massive volume. The shops that do well are the ones provide good service.

Here's what you want: Shop that will tell you if you have a bent rim, will install a new valve stem if needed, properly balance the tire, tighten lugs with a torque wrench, will install a proper internal patch when you need a repair.

Amazing how few shops do all these things - and I have no problem paying shop labour rates for good service.

If you’re driving a pickup and especially if you’re going to tow a rig, the value that you get from a good shop far exceeds the small savings from an online outlet. Safety and reliability are the two things that I’ve learned to not cheap out for.
I bought a set of Falken A/T for my F-150 and am very happy with them. They perform Ok in snow but if you drive in the interior during winter, you may want to invest in a set of winter tires too.

 

[Max123]

Also, let me add - a good tire shop will give your suspension and brakes a once over. That's the second benefit of having dedicated winter tires. It makes sure that at least twice a year, all the tires come off, they get rotated, and you get the eyeballs of an experienced tech on the brakes, tie rods, CV joints, etc. Even if they don't do the work, a good shop will always give you a heads up.

 

[BigBird007]

Also, let me add - a good tire shop will give your suspension and brakes a once over. That's the second benefit of having dedicated winter tires. It makes sure that at least twice a year, all the tires come off, they get rotated, and you get the eyeballs of an experienced tech on the brakes, tie rods, CV joints, etc. Even if they don't do the work, a good shop will always give you a heads up.

Yes, we do an inspection on every car that tires come off.

It boggles my mind the state of health many cars are in and owners have no idea.

 

[chille51]

Thanks all. I'm glad I started this thread as it reminded me about Cedar Tire, where I now have a set of Falken AT4W's on hold after a quick phone call, for basically the same price as the online shops.