I have located an on-line tire store that sells a brand (Falken) that I like. They ship in 48 hours, and their prices are very reasonable…but, what the heck to do when I get them? Can I have them mounted and balanced at a regular tire store-will they allow you to “bring your own”. Or, do gas stations mount and balance tires as well? I hate the standard rigamarole you get when you buy tires-you have to pay for new valves (mostly not needed, every little balance weight, tire disposal charges, even the air!
I s buying on-line a good idea?
I’ve bought tires online. I had mine mounted at the car dealership while having other maintenance work done at the same time, but I don’t see any reason why a tire shop wouldn’t let you bring in your own. They will charge you for the labor and disposal fees (as my dealer did). Maybe you can argue them out of the valve stems, though I’d imagine the weights would have to be new.
Add together the tires, shipping charge, mounting fee, and disposal charge, and see if buying online is really cheaper than buying locally. Unless the tires you really want aren’t available in a local store, that is.
I bought my winter tires on-line. Mounted on new rims. The cost was less than I could have bought empty rims for at my local dealer.
As a former mechanic I had options to mount them by myself. Call different shops and ask for prices. Good Luck.
I’ve done it both ways - bought them fully mounted and balanced and bought just the tires.
I’ve never had any problem with the local service station or my regular service garage doing the work of mounting and balancing.
But yes, you will pay for parts and labor to do it.