Are auto tires, bought at a regular tire store, a better grade than those purchased, say at walmart?
by 
Anonymous
ANSWERS: 6
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like everything else. yes!
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No, not if they are the same name & brand. Places like WalMart can offer them cheaper because they get a discount for purchasing in mass quantity. You might, however get better service from a specialist.
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Tires bought at a regular tire store are of a better grade than those at walmart. If you go to walmart and look at the tires you will see that there is a slight difference in the name of the tire. Michelin, Firestone, BF Goodrich and many others have certain lines that they only sell to walmart. They are a cheaper line and of lesser quality. I own a tire store and there is a walmart 10 minutes down the road. I sell my tires cheaper than walmart does any day!
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Generally, yes. However I read all the specs on a tire before purchasing; treadwear, traction, and temperature ratings especially. If you somehow manage to find brand-name tires at the local mega-mart, then they will be the same quality as the same tire elsewhere, but if your are like mine, that'll never happen. Most of the discount tires I have seen have been B-rated for traction and temperature and are basically round, slippery, treaded rocks. They are about 2/3 the price of the 320/A/B rain tires I usually get, but the loss of wet traction is dangerously unforgivable.
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From experience, the quality level of tires from a tire store are indeed better quality, and in most cases, you'll have more reliable service from tire stores as far as rotations and inspections, tire stores generally deal with tires and other automotive repairs, therefore they have higher standards for their employees, I've seen lack of knowledge from service people at K-mart or any big box store for that matter. So in a nutshell, go with the tire store, a little extra money is worth it for a much better service and quality tire.
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The tires found at private tire stores are in fact superior to those found at big box stores. I own a tire store and have done quite a bit of research into the matter. I found that even when the brand and model tire are the same, the load and speed rating of the tires are lower than those at independent tire stores. Take for example a Goodyear Eagle 195/60R15, the tire I sell has a load & speed rating of 88H. I recently went to the local walmart and found their's had only an 87T. Not a big difference but a difference none the less. And at the same price, not a great deal.
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