Buying tires is a big and costly deal, especially if you like to change all four tires at the same time. Being the bargain hunter I am (see my track record here), I set out with steely determination in my eyes to do my research and get the detailed price breakdown to find out who wins the price war when it comes to cost versus what you get.Anecdotal accounts of family and friends reveal two big-box stores with a strong reputation for low prices – Costco and Walmart. Before driving to the nearest Costco and Walmart for a price quote, I did research to narrow down and select the exact tire I wanted to avoid the chaos of juggling multiple factors.I called up my trusty dad who is a pro bargain hunter (especially when it comes to cars and home improvement), and found out that he recommends Michelin. But being a journalist, the cliché phrase, "If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out," rings in my ears and I can't help but factcheck my dad's choice against an unbiased source. I turn to Consumer Report, a monthly product review magazine that is trusted by subscribers because it does not accept advertising and pays for all the products it tests, and is a non-profit organization with no shareholders.

A 2015 article published in Consumer Report titled, "What brands make the best tires? Consumer Reports rank the top tire maker," ranks Michelin ("Dad, you're right!") as the number one tire brand after careful performance test. The magazine boasts that it offers a list of detailed comprehensive test findings on over 170 models."Across the board, Michelin offers nearly a perfect blend of grip, handing, low rolling resistance for good fuel economy, and long tread life," read part of the review.I decided to specifically go with the Michelin Defender, an all-season tire suitable for family cars with an impressive 90,000 mile warranty.Now here comes the fun part you've all been waiting for.My local Costco Tire Center (note taken: too busy on Saturday with 2.5 hour wait. Go on weekdays as early as possible) informed me that the total cost before tax will be $541.12. Costco sold the Michelin Defender 205/55R16 for $133.99 per tire but had, at the time, a $70 instant savings for any member who bought a set of 4 new Michelin tires.

The store offers a flat rate $15 installation package per tire that includes:• mount and balance • balance and rotation for the life of the tire • new rubber valve stem • inflation checks for the life of the tire • nitrogen tire inflation • flat repairs for the life of the tire • Costco scrap tire disposal • reset tire pressure monitoring system • wheels hand torqued to manufacturer's specifications • mileage warranty • road hazard warranty • manufacturer's defects warrantyAs for Walmartused rims and tires fayetteville nc, my local store does not carry Michelin tires and I would have to order them using the company's website and have them delivered for free. tire balancing beads truckA Michelin Defender tire 205/55R16 costs $136.23 per tire, which is $2.24 more expensive than Costco's price. toyo tires mt open country

Moreover, Costco offers the $70 instant discount when you buy four Michelin tires, which is a deal Walmart doesn't offer. That means we are talking about a $78.96 price difference (Costco $465.96 vs. Walmart $544.92) in terms of a set of four tires.Walmart quoted the installation of the tire as including:• balance for lifetime of tire – $9/tire • new rubber valve stem – $3/tire • road hazard warranty – $10/tire • tire disposal – $1.50/tireThis price breakdown means we are talking about an installation package at Walmart of $23.50 per tire, which is higher than Costco's $15 per tire.Just out of curiosity, I went to another popular auto service center, Mr. Tire, which states on its website that it has over 1,000 locations nationwide. Mr. Tire sold the Michelin Defender 205/55R16 for $169.99 per tire for a total of $679.96 for a set of four.In terms of installation, Mr. Tire says there is no charge for the following: tire mounting and balance, lifetime rotation, new valve stem, and tire disposal.

But Mr. Tire charges $23.78 per tire for road hazard coverage and $10.49 for shop supply fee.At the end of my tire bargain hunting, I concluded that Costco won out by a long shot. Check out the price breakdown for yourself.So this was the first and the absolute last time I will buy tires from Costco. I can’t believe how much time of mine you forced me to waste.So lets set the scene, over the holidays I told my dad that I was going to buy some winter tires this year and he offers to buy them for me. Last week I finally call a few places, and because the car has tiny wheels no where seemed to have any in stock. When I finally got Costco on the phone (this took 3 tries) they tell me they had some in a warehouse and they could have them in couple business days. However apparently they will not order tires over the phone you have to go there in person. So last Wednesday I meet my dad at the Costco and we order and pay for the tires. During this transaction they take my number for the explicit reason of contacting me when the tires arrive so I can come in and get them installed.

Great.Fast forward to yesterday morning, surprised I had not been called yet I try calling them. 8 calls later and probably close to an hour of my time, someone finally picks up. I ask him if they know when the tires should arrive, he tells me they are already here. The tires arrived sometime over the weekend. (I should also note that I could not even leave a message because their phone just continues to ring. I had left my phone on for a solid 25min of waiting for someone to pick up while did other stuff at one point before giving up.)While on the phone with the guy I ask if I can make an appointment to come in. No I can’t, it’s first come first serve. Last night at around 6 I finally get to the tire center, when I get there they inform me that they cant do my car because they already have too many people. Today, I get to Costco around 1:45 I see one car in front of the tire center area and one person in the waiting area. I think good, it’s not busy this should be quick. I walk up to the guy tell him I’m here for my tires, he tells me to leave the key it will be between 2-2.5 hours before it will be ready to be picked up.

Out of options and already annoyed I give him my key. But he asks for my phone number so they can call me, I assume for when its ready to be picked up. So off to kill hopefully less than 2 hours...So I walk around Costco, read some oppo on my phone while sitting on Costco couches for a while, just kill time. I can’t stand being in the store any longer I find the next closest store. A Homedepot which is a 15min walk, so after walking around Homedepot for a while I head back to Costco and get some food to eat. After eating I have manged kill almost 2 hours waiting for them to call me. I figure I would give them a call and see how much longer it would be. Of course no one picks up the phone. As I’m walking into the tire store I see my car in front moved and with new tires. I walk in talk to the guy at the desk grab my key and start walking out the door. I’m too pissed to even ask how long it has been and why did they not call me, or why they never pick up the phone. At that point I also realized something, the phone was ringing, and it was ringing every time I walked into that area, they just flat out ignore the phone.3 trips, 11 unanswered phone calls, 2 phone calls never made to me, and a solid 6+ hours of my time.