[legion]

I buy from the full-service place down the street from me. I look up tires at TireRack.com and have them order what I want.

It's a couple-hundred dollars more expensive than ordering from Tire Rack and having a discount place install the tires, but I know it will get done right the first time. Plus they throw in free tire rotations for the life of the tires. (Yes, I realize I've essentially paid for them upfront.)

The way I look at it is there are two things I won't go cheap with on any vehicle: tires and brakes. Those are the things that need to be in good working order to stop a vehicle. Not going cheap includes paying a little more to ensure they are properly installed.