Topic: Why Costco rocks for tires

[HeliDriver]

It took a dozen tries, to three different stores, on two different days, but I finally got someone at Costco to answer the phone... 

Apparently it's top secret, and he/she on the phone wasn't allowed to say, but rumour has it that the 1-cent installation will be coming back mid-month. 

But that wasn't really why I called. The WS90 isn't showing on the Costco website in my size (very common, 225/45R17) so I wanted to know what was up. Still don't know, as the person on the phone couldn't get through to Bridgestone to see if it was available to them. Guess I'll wait a couple of weeks and try again. 

[johngenx]

Apparently it's top secret, and he/she on the phone wasn't allowed to say, but rumour has it that the 1-cent installation will be coming back mid-month. 

 

[rrocket]

I hate that they won't install any tire that doesn't match the placard perfectly.  At least at my local Costco.

No downsizing, upsizing, etc.

They wouldn't even put the winters on one of our cars because it wasn't the same speed rating as the summer tire.   

[johngenx]

I see the regular price of install has gone up a bit.

[Guy]

I hate that they won't install any tire that doesn't match the placard perfectly.  At least at my local Costco.

No downsizing, upsizing, etc.

They wouldn't even put the winters on one of our cars because it wasn't the same speed rating as the summer tire.   

At my local one they torque wheels with regular torque wrenches, not air tools. Nice!

[johngenx]

At my local one they torque wheels with regular torque wrenches, not air tools. Nice!

Mine too.  When Costco started selling tires their service sucked, and they took the criticism to heart and changed things.  Now compared to other high volume shops, they do a good job.

[pi314]

I hate that they won't install any tire that doesn't match the placard perfectly.  At least at my local Costco.

No downsizing, upsizing, etc.

They wouldn't even put the winters on one of our cars because it wasn't the same speed rating as the summer tire.   

For the Focus they were fine as long as it was an OEM size, ie they went down to the 15s despite the SE being default spec'd with 16 inches.

I ended up going with Kal Tire this time (wanted to try the Nokian Hakkapeliitas) and their service was comparable. In either place you end up waiting a lot during peak times despite having an appointment  . At Kal I waited like 35 minutes because of all the people hoping for a drop-in spot. I had arrived a bit early but still the car didn't go in until a good 20 minutes after my scheduled appointment.

[johngenx]

The Forester has a slightly off size installed and Costco has no issue installing as long as the speed rating and load rating was within spec.

[Solstice2006]

Looking at getting some winter tires.  Not sure whether to wait till October for better sales, or get the Blizzak promotion now at Costco, promotion ends Sept 29. Nice for me, Costco is only 5km away.  And my work schedule is pretty flexible.  Looks like they have only the WS90, not the WS80.  I see other sites have both. 

[johngenx]

I need snows for the Corolla but I’m going to wait a bit more and see if the promotion on install comes on. If not I’ll buy the WS-90s anyway because of the excellent experience we had with the WS-80s.

I have noticed that the Michelin pricing isn’t dramatically higher than the other brands anymore.  I wonder if they’ve decided to be more price competitive.

[HeliDriver]

Bridgestone 1-cent installation is up on the website now: Sept 16-22. Plus the $70 gift card.

But they're still not showing the WS90s in my size. I don't feel like spending another day listening to their phone ring and ring and ring, so guess I'll go stand in line there tomorrow and see what's up. 

[ktm525]

Bridgestone 1-cent installation is up on the website now: Sept 16-22. Plus the $70 gift card.

But they're still not showing the WS90s in my size. I don't feel like spending another day listening to their phone ring and ring and ring, so guess I'll go stand in line there tomorrow and see what's up. 

Nice. Time to order.

Done.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Bridgestone 1-cent installation is up on the website now: Sept 16-22. Plus the $70 gift card.

But they're still not showing the WS90s in my size. I don't feel like spending another day listening to their phone ring and ring and ring, so guess I'll go stand in line there tomorrow and see what's up. 

So why not order  , and pick installation date online ?

[G.Bombay]

I need snows for the Corolla but I’m going to wait a bit more and see if the promotion on install comes on. If not I’ll buy the WS-90s anyway because of the excellent experience we had with the WS-80s.

I have noticed that the Michelin pricing isn’t dramatically higher than the other brands anymore.  I wonder if they’ve decided to be more price competitive.

It seems to me the ws90 has increased in price since the ws80's. I see a 30$ increase per tire that brings it more in line with the xi3's.

[johngenx]

The WS-90s for the Corolla are $125 each. I think we paid about $120 for the 80s back when. The Michelin’s were more, a lot more. They were in the $150-160 range.

[EV Dan]

I need snows for the Corolla but I’m going to wait a bit more and see if the promotion on install comes on. If not I’ll buy the WS-90s anyway because of the excellent experience we had with the WS-80s.

I have noticed that the Michelin pricing isn’t dramatically higher than the other brands anymore.  I wonder if they’ve decided to be more price competitive.

It seems to me the ws90 has increased in price since the ws80's. I see a 30$ increase per tire that brings it more in line with the xi3's.

Michelin Xi3 in my size has gone from 223 to 245 per tire while I was thinking if it was old stock or not. Darn.    I need just two rear tires to replace for the winter.

[G.Bombay]

I guess it depends on the tire size. 17 in tires for our civic seem to have gone up drastically from the WS80's to WS90's so much that the Pirelli Ice Zeros look like a better deal even with the free install.

Ws90 $210 each
Xi3 $204 each
Ice zero $170 each

Iirc I got my ws80's for $185 each.

[Guy]

I do not know about the WS90's but having driven cars with the Xi3's and the Ice Zero FR's I would buy the FR's over the Xi3's any day, even more so if the price is better!

[johngenx]

Tried ordering the tires for the Corolla but was charging me full install price. Called Costco and the discount hasn’t been applied to all Bridgestone tires, should be finished today or tomorrow.

So if you’re checking out and it’s still charging you the full pop, should be rectified soon.

[HeliDriver]

Well, damn. WS90s in my size won’t be available for a couple of weeks. Can’t pay for them now, so can’t get the 1-cent install, and there are no rain checks. And I might even miss the $70 Costco card offer.   

Screw it. I think I’ll call up my buddy at Kal Tire and try out those new Vikingcontacts.