Name Brand Tires at Walmart??

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Has anyone purchased tires at Walmart with good luck? All my life I have been buying tires at so called authorized Goodyear, Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin dealers etc. But lately I have had just terrible service from these type places. I priced some 195/60/R15 tires out today at Walmart and they are incredibly cheap for a set of Bridgestone and Goodyear tires with lifetime balance and rotation.

What are you thoughts?

[delcecchi]

Last set I bought, Ford dealer was cheaper than Sam's Club. (didn't look at Walmart)

[Dave S]

Often times I've looked at the big box stores for tires and they are stocked with "name brand" tires made specifically for that store/chain.

I've swtiched to buying my tires off of Tire Rack. Usually cheaper than tire stores and dealerships, even after shipping is added in and mount/balance.

Been very pleased so far with the tires I bought through them.

[Whopper Stopper]

I just bought some new tires for a recently purchased Buick I now drive. I looked at the same tires at three different places and found that Walmart had them for about $20 a tire cheaper. I was skeptical but figured I would try them. The installation went about as expected. They had trouble with the TPMS, along with a couple other things. They averaged about 20 minutes a tire due to limited help and phone answering.

The purchase also included 1 free oil change using Castrol.I figured I would save the change for when it was too cold to do it outside myself. I brought it in last week for a oil change and rotation. The best tip I can give is if you go there try to be the first one in the door. There doesn't seem to be any multi-tasking abilities in there so it is a slow process.

They didn't get the tire sensors reset. They said that even though it says they did reset the TPMS on the original tire purchase slip, that in essence they didn't. They were not sure what was causing the problem but they didn't have time for that and I should take the car in to dealer and see what they find.

Next they changed my oil and instead of using 5-30 like the book and oil cap states, they used 5-20. Again no good answer for why they used that but I am sure it was because they had a bunch on hand.

I knew going into it that their mechanical abilities would be limited but, however I think they proved to be even worse then expected. I'm not bashing just relaying my experience. I would buy tires again if the price was right, but that would be the extent of it. I would also go into it knowing that patience will be tried.

Hope some of this helps. Just remember don't go on a weekend and try to be the first in line weekdays.

WS

[JustinH]

Try Discount Tire, I think they are the cheapest and you can bargain with them a little.

[MN Shutterbug]

I believe anything made for Walmart stores will definitely be made cheaper so Walmart will buy them. Brand name doesn't mean they're going to be made to the same specs as the same tires at a legitimate tire shop or dealership.

[delcecchi]

I believe anything made for Walmart stores will definitely be made cheaper so Walmart will buy them. Brand name doesn't mean they're going to be made to the same specs as the same tires at a legitimate tire shop or dealership.

And you know that how?

But it certainly is worth comparing detailed model numbers and such to make sure they are the same.

[OnAFly]

They've (Walmart) been known to do this with TVs. In the cases where this occurs, there is a slight difference in part numbers. I wouldn't surprise me if they do this with tires as well. Either way, they should have to change the PN slightly to show the difference. Not doing so would be a nightmare for manufacturing/logistics.

[bobbymalone]

I've always heard that but I think it's mostly bogus.

I think there was something going around a few years ago that remington was selling a subpar shotgun at walmart and remington had a press release that was something like an 870 is an 870, there is no walmart special 870.

[Old Dewjabber]

My neighbor lady had her tires put on there. Needless to say they could not get the hub caps back on. Sent them home with her in the trunk! I was able to get them back on after pounding the weights.

[Dave S]

Yes it's true that The Sam's Clubs of the world do get their own OEM designed tires specific to those stores (Sam's, Wal-Mart, Fleet Farm). Was told by a shop manager at one of these stores.

[Pat K]

Yes it's true that The Sam's Clubs of the world do get their own OEM designed tires specific to those stores (Sam's, Wal-Mart, Fleet Farm). Was told by a shop manager at one of these stores.

But they have different model names (Goodyear Viva's at Walmart) and model #'s than the ones sold at regular tire dealers.

[MN Shutterbug]

They've (Walmart) been known to do this with TVs. In the cases where this occurs, there is a slight difference in part numbers. I wouldn't surprise me if they do this with tires as well.

I wouldn't even trust their groceries. A few months ago there was a recall of Velveeta chesse, but only the cheese that was sold at Walmarts and Sam's Clubs. That kind of tells you something right there. Walmart tells the manufacturer how much they will pay for their product and the manufacturer has to figure out some way to make them cheaper so Walmart will buy from them.

[Cheers]

I think this type of thing goes on way more than we realize and with stores we dont expect . bought an Abbu Garcia 4500 bait caster from Cabellas once that was on sale for a good price . Worked well for a short time then acted up . Took it apart and found plastic gears instead of brass gears that are in all my other 4500s . Turns out the model # wasn't 4500 but 4500c the c being Cabellas . The reel was made specifically for Cabellas and was a pos !In the end I think both Abbu Garcia and Cabellas lose as I dont buy reels from them as a result. And dont buy big ticket things at all from Cabellas or Walley World

[gunner55]

I've came across this more than once.Looking for a Xmas gift & check it out at a couple places.They look to be the same item but with closer inspection they are not.The features are a little different and/or the model number has a letter after it.It keeps them from having to pricematch as well.

[MN Shutterbug]

I bought an Abbu Garcia 4500 bait caster from Cabellas once that was on sale for a good price . Worked well for a short time then acted up . Took it apart and found plastic gears instead of brass gears that are in all my other 4500s . Turns out the model # wasn't 4500 but 4500c the c being Cabellas . The reel was made specifically for Cabellas and was a pos !

This surprised me about Cabelas. I'd have thought they would have been above that. It's not like they're trying to be a low cost leader.

[Walleye Guy]

On my last two tire replacements I did formal email request for quotes to a number of major tire resellers. A couple of these I did have to go to the shop to get real quotes from. I went to Sears, Discount Tire, Costco, Tires Plus, NTB, Goodyear and the auto dealerships where the vehicles were purchased and/or serviced. One was a 2007 GMC Sierra SLT and the second was a tire eating 2006 Dodge Durango. For all quotes I was looking for an out the door cost which included all fees and taxes. In both situations my local Chevy dealer (I serviced the GMC at a Chevy dealer) and the local Dodge dealer beat all the competition in excess of $100 for a set of four tires. It was an apples for apples comparison and included any rebates, free services etc and I specified the exact tire I was looking for.

I am not saying you will experience the same results I did.

One other benefit was that the dealerships performed free tire rotations when I was having other maintenance services performed. One stop for maintenance, oil changes etc. If you are not considering dealerships in your assessment, you are missing a viable alternative. They have incredible buying power.

[BLACKJACK]

My 2000 Chevy Silverado that I bought new had Goodyear Wranglers on them. When I got to about 30,000 miles I started getting flat tires, what was happening is that on cold days like today, when I would drive home, which included 5 miles of gravel road, the rocks would pound up thru the tires, causing flats. Of course Chevy and Goodyear wouldn't stand behind them but I did find out from the Goodyear rep that 'they were made to Chevy specs'.

Chevy with their massive buying power was telling them how to make their tires, they were cutting costs and having cheaper tires made. It it was a four wheel drive truck and I couldn't even drive down a gravel road without getting a flat tire!!!

To the original poster, I wouldn't tolerate that kind of service at Walmart or anyplace else. If they can't do it right they don't get my business, and I'll let them know why.

Nowadays I go to one of the local tire place to get my tires, thats what they do, so I know they'll do it right. I do price compare at a couple of shops to keep them honest. The tires aren't cheap but I know when my wife is giving it hell around a corner that she has good tires on her car. Or if I have a flat in the parking lot at work, I can call them up and they'll come and fix it.

[Moe Szyslak]

Neisen Tires (tiresmn.com)

Located in webster, MN. Private guy that does tires on the side. He'll send you a list of tires or send him a requested tire. Always cheaper than any store ive found. Make an appt and he changes the tires in front of you i his shop. Know dozens of people that have been going to him for years. Great guy!

[Macgyver55]

but I did find out from the Goodyear rep that 'they were made to Chevy specs'.

Chevy with their massive buying power was telling them how to make their tires, they were cutting costs and having cheaper tires made.

What the Goodyear rep told you is somewhat misleading. General Motors nor any other manufacturer "tells tire makers how to make their tires". They can tell them what "specs" they want to use, but not how to make them. He simply trying to brush off the responsibility to the automaker. You'll often find tires with the exact same specs/ ratings on other vehicle brands, and for sale at local tire dealers. If you have those installed, how do you blame the vehicle maker?

Tires on new vehicles are warranted by the tire manufacturer, not the vehicle manufacturer. If Goodyear believes/knows the tires aren't of decent quality, they're only hurting themselves by making them to those specs because they foot the bill for warranty. Its just another case of....

[Coon]

Often times I've looked at the big box stores for tires and they are stocked with "name brand" tires made specifically for that store/chain.

I've swtiched to buying my tires off of Tire Rack. Usually cheaper than tire stores and dealerships, even after shipping is added in and mount/balance.

Been very pleased so far with the tires I bought through them.

ive had good luck with tire rack and tire buyer.com myself

[BLACKJACK]

They can tell them what "specs" they want to use, but not how to make them.

Isn't telling them what specs to use the same as telling them how to make them??

If Goodyear doesn't make them to Chevy's specs Chevy will reject them, they're telling them how much and what quality of products to use in making/manufacturing the new tires that they're putting on their new trucks, so to me, its a Chevy problem.

[Macgyver55]

If Goodyear doesn't make them to Chevy's specs Chevy will reject them, they're telling them how much and what quality of products to use in making/manufacturing the new tires that they're putting on their new trucks, so to me, its a Chevy problem.

Believe what you would like, Goodyear makes the tires, not GM. If Goodyear has to stand behind the tire, what benefit would it be to produce an inferior tire just for GM and risk their own reputation? The very same tires/specs are also available "off the rack" at hundreds of tire dealers. Goodyear come standard on several other brands including Cadillac, Dodge, Jeep and Land Rover. If you find the same tire and specs on another brand of vehicle is it still GMs fault? Furthermore, OEM tires are not always the same on all sub-models of a particular vehicle. A base model will come with completely different tires and sizes than a higher end model.

Automakers do in fact partner with tire manufacturers, to develop tires with specific characteristics in order to complement and enhance the performance features of the vehicle to get people to like it. Its to neither companies benefit to develop tires that do no good for the reputation of either one. I'm not really a fan of Goodyear tires either, but have found them to be not significantly worse than other tires used on similar vehicles in similar operating conditions. All of that aside, do you actually believe that no other vehicle manufacturer operates any differently?