Pros And Cons Of Buying Your Car’s Tires Online
The traditional method of purchasing a new set of tires begins with driving to the local tire shop. Once there, you would spend a few minutes looking at the shop’s inventory (pretending to know what you’re looking for) until finally asking for help. An attendant would happily recommend a few sets, all of which are higher-priced than you expected. You would eventually concede to paying more than necessary, hoping to avoid the experience for another few years.
Many people continue to follow this model when purchasing replacement tires for their vehicles. But times are changing. Their numbers are dwindling. Lower prices, better service, and a lack of “hard sales” tactics are driving more consumers than ever online to purchase new tires.
Below, we’ll approach this issue from both ends. We’ll first describe the advantages to buying replacement treads online. We’ll then take a look at the potential downsides to doing so. Lastly, we’ll offer a few tips for finding a bargain.
Reasons To Buy A Replacement Set Online
The first reason to consider purchasing online involves price. If you buy a set of tires from your dealer, expect a large markup (this is true for most parts bought through the dealer). But even if you buy from a chain tire store, you’ll pay extra because of their enormous overhead (i.e. buildings, staff, insurance, etc.). Online, the markup is lower, there’s less overhead, and thus they’re cheaper.
Second, the chain stores make a large part of their profit by upselling and cross-selling. Thus, they’ll try to get you to purchase a set of replacements that are more expensive than those you need. They may also attempt to cross-sell brakes, struts, and other services. Online, you won’t need to deal with the hassle.
Third, online tire shops often provide customer reviews. While these customers may not be trained mechanics, they can offer unbiased insight regarding certain treads. That’s valuable.
Potential Downsides
As compelling as the reasons above are for buying a set of replacements on the internet, doing so poses a few potential downsides. First, you won’t be able to examine the set prior to buying it.
Second, shipping may require a few days since you may be purchasing the tires from a supplier located in a different state. If you get a flat or experience a blowout, you won’t have the luxury of an immediate turnaround.
Third, unless you’re planning to install them yourself, you’ll still need to find someone to do the job for you. This is actually less a problem than you might think (we’ll cover the reason in a moment).
How To Find A Bargain
Even if you’re unfamiliar with automotive tires, you’ll find the process of choosing them intuitive. Most online retailers will allow you to select the year and make of your vehicle, or choose your preferred size or brand. Prices will be displayed for a variety of suitable choices, and you’ll have the opportunity to sort them in different ways.
When comparing the prices you see online with those charged by your local shop, you’ll need to take a few additional factors into account. Be sure to consider shipping fees, installation fees, taxes, and the cost for disposing your old set. That’s the only way to make a fair evaluation of the savings you’ll enjoy.
What Happens After You Buy?
Once you’ve purchased your new set of tires, you’ll be prompted to choose a mechanic (usually by zip code) to install them. The online supplier will ship your new set to your chosen mechanic. Your mechanic will call you when they arrive, so you can have them installed. Installation costs vary, but usually include mounting and balancing as well as the valve stems.
The entire transaction is smoother than most people think. Moreover, everyone benefits. The online shop gains your business and trust; the mechanic earns an extra ticket for very little work; and you save money due to purchasing through the internet. In a few years, a majority of new tires may be sold in this fashion.
Find the best and affordable tires from TireTeam.com. For all your Discount General Tires needs.
Tags: automobiles, car, car repair, Cars, online tires, tires, vehicles
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