Tires at Costco

[s_morrison57]

I've heard that manufacture's will make products specifically for Costco, Its a Sony tv but its a model that you can't buy at the Sony store. Is it the same with tires? Its a Michelin tire but is it the same tire you buy at the tire store?
I need new rubber and wanted to know what you guys thought about Costco tires.

Finn

[Cajundaddy]

I just shoe'd my daughter's Lex IS with BFG Comp 2 A/S from Costco. Slightly better price than the other major tire source and they had them on the rack in her size. Quick and painless.

[lendaddy]

Got new Michelins there for the Wife's Lexus SUV, was a much better deal than anywhere else but yea...they had their own unique model number slightly different than the standard number. I don't get the impression they are lower quality though, Costco seems to be good about that. Not like Home Depot where a John Deer 144 might really be a 124 with a different seat and a one piece rear axel at the dealer (or whatever)

[unclebilly]

I just got Michelin Defender LTX there last week for my Tundra.

They are idiots to deal with. My truck has the equivalent of a dealer installed lift on it and I run 295-70-18 tires on the factory rims, just like you can get on a new Tundra at the dealer. The new tires are the 4th set on my truck at 240,000 Kms.

Costco wouldn't install this size of tire on my truck so I had to bring in the rims loose. I was told I would still get the warrantee.

I tried to drop the tires off the night before my appointment and was told that this was a big problem
in case the night guys threw them out with old tires. I told the manager that if they have people that stupid on staff they have bigger things to worry about than my tires. He agreed and let me drop off the tires 20 hours before my 3:00 appointment.

The next day at 5:00 my tires were not done. They had 2 balanced but not the other 2 so I had to wait even longer.

I got home and mounted the tires up and took the truck back for them to set the pressures and enter my mileage info for the warrantee.

Then they tried to tell me I had no warrantee, at which point I told them that I specifically discussed this when I bought them. I was about to return them.

They were cheaper than Discount Tire Direct but WAY more hassle. I will go back to Discount Tire for my next Tire purchases... life's too short to deal with this caliber of idiots.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

.....I will go back to Discount Tire for my next Tire purchases...

DT are a class act.

The slight premium you might pay is more than made up in their service offerings.

They are extremely accommodating and on the rare occasion there is an issue they make more than good.

[aigel]

There are no Costco only tires made. I order specific tires there usually, such as BFG all terrains. I only buy tires at Costco for the daily drivers. Their price is very competitive, especially if you consider their free road hazard warranty. They are very generous giving warranty claims, be it road hazard or mileage warranty for wear. The other great thing is that my wife shops there and can get tires while she re-stocks our fridge. It is hands off for me.

[WPOZZZ]

I got tires from Costco for my 930, Murano and MCS. They even installed my TPMS for my Boxster. No problems whatsoever.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

DT are a class act.

The slight premium you might pay is more than made up in their service offerings.

They are extremely accommodating and on the rare occasion there is an issue they make more than good.

I've purchased tires from Costco in the past (buy 3 get one free), but when I bought my '07 RAV4 (used) the PO had Discount Tires' rubber. Had a slow leak in one and took it into DT where they immediately fixed the leak, balanced all four, and sent me on my way...free of charge.
My g/f and I recently purchased two sets of new tires from DT and they gave us a super discounted deal.
Will only buy from them again and again. Very courteous, reliable, and professional.
.
My Fiat Abarth came with no spare...only a jack and a can of sealing goop.
I bought a mint salvaged wheel from a wrecking yard in Michigan, called DT to buy a matching spare tire and they suggested to buy a less expensive brand for a spare...which I did.
Good folks.
.
BTW, the owner of DT lives in the Phoenix Valley and apparently is the wealthiest man here. He's noted for giving millions to charity each year.
His dealerships and employees reflect his position in life.
.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I just got Michelin Defender LTX there last week for my Tundra.

They are idiots to deal with. My truck has the equivalent of a dealer installed lift on it and I run 295-70-18 tires on the factory rims, just like you can get on a new Tundra at the dealer. The new tires are the 4th set on my truck at 240,000 Kms.

Costco wouldn't install this size of tire on my truck so I had to bring in the rims loose. I was told I would still get the warrantee.

I tried to drop the tires off the night before my appointment and was told that this was a big problem
in case the night guys threw them out with old tires. I told the manager that if they have people that stupid on staff they have bigger things to worry about than my tires. He agreed and let me drop off the tires 20 hours before my 3:00 appointment.

The next day at 5:00 my tires were not done. They had 2 balanced but not the other 2 so I had to wait even longer.

I got home and mounted the tires up and took the truck back for them to set the pressures and enter my mileage info for the warrantee.

Then they tried to tell me I had no warrantee, at which point I told them that I specifically discussed this when I bought them. I was about to return them.

They were cheaper than Discount Tire Direct but WAY more hassle. I will go back to Discount Tire for my next Tire purchases... life's too short to deal with this caliber of idiots.

Sounds like a local shop problem. We use both Costco and America's Tire/Discount Tire for all our fleet vehicles with equivalent good service. They both take good care of us and yet both are capable of the occasional foul-up. We buy twenty sets of tires every year and most transactions are quick and painless.

[billybek]

I had a similar experience as Scott did with one Costco store in Calgary.
Bought winters for my Golf and went through the grief of when they could be mounted.
Asked to drop off the wheels and they told me that they didn't know when they could be done and that it would take some time.
Eventually I picked up the tires and took them to Concept 1 for mounting and balancing. They did refund the mount and balance charge.
Costco tried to tell me that the tires would have no warranty if I had them mounted elsewhere....
Crap and I wouldn't buy there again and have put tires on 3 vehicles since.

[Arizona_928]

Costco is fair. Stock is usually limited. Yet, I have no worry of them trying to pull a fast one on females...

[pksystems]

Got my summer tires installed at Costco.

Didn't want to wait a week+ for an install opening for the winter tires tho, so I bought them someplace else. This was in early September, before anyone was talking about snow.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

.
BTW, the owner of DT lives in the Phoenix Valley and apparently is the wealthiest man here. He's noted for giving millions to charity each year.
His dealerships and employees reflect his position in life.
.

I have met him at one of his parties. Rides a BMW if I remember correctly. He's very humble.

[Scott Douglas]

I suggest you go to a Michelin store and ask if you can get a Costco bought Michelin replaced on warranty there. I've heard they won't touch them, ymmv.

[KNS]

I've had my share of idiots mount and balance tires at Discount Tire (only bring them in loose as I've had enough bad experience with them), and I live in Phoenix. I stopped going to them.

It really boils down to the individual shop and the guys in it.

[wildthing]

Costco doesn't carry my minivan's tire sizes in stock. Otherwise I would've gone there. Neither does DT. Special order for some reason. Takes 3-5 business days.

[recycled sixtie]

Certain things I buy at Costco. Food, food processor etc but would not buy tires there.
I go to a couple of indy shops for tires. Might be a bit more. Owners are more accountable and hands on with treating my rims and tires.

[kanadary]

Dt will match Costco prices if you tell them, at least in the past. The other thing dt offers is a discount for some of the major employers in the area, so here it's Boeing and Microsoft

[M.D. Holloway]

I bought tires there, good tires...but certainly not great tires...

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

I bought tires there, good tires...but certainly not great tires...

I known what you did there! Well done sir.

I pay about $80 total more than discount houses at my local tire shop. The service is amazing and they know what they're doing. Total flexibility and quick. They do fine alignments as well. Let me walk back and watch and interact with the tech.


Unclebilly what wheels are you running and do you have any rubbing? Sounds like you're describing the trd pro but even that doesn't run 34s.