I decided to do a mock Buy Tires Online sale from The Tire Rack.  I went as far as I could without actually buying the tires just to recheck their fees.

What I found was nice.  I picked four tires, each costing $53 for a total of $212.  Then I went to the shipping options.  This surprised me.  The cheapest option was also the best option and that was ONE day transit time for $35, bringing my grand total to $247.82.

There was no tax.  Tax by my house is 8%.  That's $17 in taxes I saved.  About half the price of shipping.  That means shipping added a total of around $4 PER tire.

I searched for the exact tire from other websites and I'm not joking, it was $77 a tire.  And I didn't even find that tire at Walmart.  But just compared to other online tire stores, we're talking a $20 PER tire savings.  I'd have to do some research to find a local store with the tire to see the savings over them.  For what some people are paying $77 a tire(before shipping) I would be able to get at The Tire Rack for roughly $57 AFTER shipping.

I guess I should change what I always tell people.  Instead of Buy Tires Online, maybe I should just tell them buy tires from The Tire Rack.

    A big concern when you Buy Tires Online I keep hearing about is that you don't get free rotations or alignments.

    Say you buy tires from The Tire Rack and get them sent to your house.  You can take them over to any walmart, or better yet, see if your local Walmart let's you get them delivered to their store to get them installed.  You get life time rotation/alignment from Walmart and you still spend less money if you just went to Walmart or any other tire store to start off with.

    Don't worry if you Buy Tires Online you still can get all the benefits from a local store.

    Here's a few reasons on why online tire companies can save you money when you Buy Tires Online.

1)   They can buy in greater bulk.
2)   Most aren't brick & mortar stores; less overhead and some places then don't pay taxes.  I'm just thinking 8% on a $300 sale is $24 right off the top you don't pay.
3)   Most focus on internet sales, meaing less employees; again meaning less overhead.

    I know I'm guilty of not taking into account #2 on the list.  When I bought my Playstation 2 how many years ago for $300, when my wife asked me how much I paid, I didn't add in the tax, but in reality I didn't pay $300; I paid $324.  Same with tires, if you buy a $100 tire from the local tire store, you are really paying that $100 + tax.

    Just another reason to check out The Tire Rack before you Buy Tires Online.

    While I was looking at some stats about people who Buy Tires Online I came across something we all hate to think about.

Oil Prices!

    I never really thought about it this way before, but the oil price crisis is infact driving up the cost of tires.  Three fold actually.

1)   The oil that goes into making the tire
2)   The oil that is used to heat/cool the production plant
3)   And finally, the oil that goes into the shipping of the tires.

    I know everyone hates talking about the rising oil prices.  Unfortunetely they're a real problem and it looks like its a problem that is here to stay.  It also looks like it affects more parts of our life than just at the gas pump.  Think of it this way though.  If tire prices in general go up, but you buy tires online from The Tire Rack and save money, then you would have actually spent less overall than the last time you bought tires.

    That's why I seriously want you guys to consider if you want to Buy Tires Online.  As gas prices rise, so will tire prices.

    My first thought every time I want to Buy Tires Online is how will I install them myself.

    I no longer have to worry about that. This is great. Places like The Tire Rack now will give you a list of local tire shops that will install the tires for you.

    Not only that, but they ship the tires to their store so you never have to worry about anything. All you have to do is pick the tires and the store, bring your car in when the tires arrive and go home with your new tires.

    I swear everytime I go to buy tires online the process gets easier and easier.

    Does knowing that you still get professional installation help ease your mind if you were to Buy Tires Online?