Cross-border tire shopping -- All charges-in

[Adanac Charger]

I have been looking to purchase winter tires for my new steel wheels (LX cop version) and found that nobody (CTC, TireTrends, Costco, Active Green and Ross, and local tire shops) had 235/55/18 Michelin Latitude X-Ice tires available. Michelin is back-ordered so I couldn't even get a date.

So, with the dollar near par, I decided to check the US mail-order dealers and found one that has them in stock, offers total pricing that is better than local, and offers a great service...

** They charge all fees up front so that you don't get a bill from the courier when he arrives at your door. They include all shipping, taxes, duties, and brokerage fees at checkout. Very cool! **

They're not a supporting vendor so I won't mention their name, but they do have a very large tire rack.

If the delivery goes this well and it doesn't snow in the meantime, I'll be happy.

[gn300]

Thats even better than a road rip to get them installed cross border.

WARNING on that ,in some areas close to the border they have agreements with customs ,shops re canadian cars so be careful not claiming tires !

[mr.niftie]

Pull off your plates before you drive into the tire shop and pay cash.
At least, I, ummm, heard one could do that . . .

[Adanac Charger]

When I compared the pita factor of a cross-border trip, this was a better choice. I hope that all of the US mail-order parts companies get this running on their sites for Canadian shoppers.

[Hemi Mag]

I am due for summer tires on the mag and the wifey's car please PM me on how this works out for you.

AC

[Adanac Charger]

Hemi,

It worked out well so I'll post it here.

The tires arrived by UPS to my front door yesterday at about 9:30 a.m. All four tires, the right brand, the right size, no damage that I can see, and best of all, no bill from the UPS guy. All in, I saved about CDN$120 and I got the tires that I wanted that weren't available locally.

It is snowing outside today so I'm heading out this afternoon to get them mounted on my rims and onto the car. I'll let you know how that goes.

[Go Mango]

My son needs winter tires for his SX 2.0 so I checked the rack of tires you spoke about.
I can get 4 Michelin X-Ice about $150 cheaper here.

Hemi,

It worked out well so I'll post it here.

The tires arrived by UPS to my front door yesterday at about 9:30 a.m. All four tires, the right brand, the right size, no damage that I can see, and best of all, no bill from the UPS guy. All in, I saved about CDN$120 and I got the tires that I wanted that weren't available locally.

It is snowing outside today so I'm heading out this afternoon to get them mounted on my rims and onto the car. I'll let you know how that goes.

[Adanac Charger]

I agree that you definitely need to shop around. My truck tires were cheaper locally.

The value of the Canadian dollar, the Internet, and companies including all of the border expenses into their pricing just gives us a greater area to shop.

[Go Mango]

Very much so. The variety is vast compared to our choices.

....... companies including all of the border expenses into their pricing just gives us a greater area to shop.

[hemicanucksfan]

that's sorta what i did, except i had them shipped to buffalo and went and picked them up. my 22s cost me half of what i was quoted up here from many places for the very same wheel/tire package. was worth the half tank of gas to go down and save a couple grand.

[bibs]

I got a set of steel rims + Blizzaks from Tire Rack. They have an agreement with UPS to pay all the brokerage/customs/tax fees up front.

No guessing, it's all on the quote. Delivered to my door. I paid $825 total (USD). Exchange rate was at $1.08, so I got a really good deal. Best local deal I could find was $1200 Canadian.

[Tweaks]

I just visit my grandfather in PA, which is about a 4 hour trip for me. We make it a long weekend, visit him and my brother and save hundreds of dollars. He also has a 2 car garage and 2 workshops, so i just leave my other set of wheels there. I love buying a full set of wheels/tires, mounted and balanced and throwing them on myself. zero labor charge and all that. Thats how i could afford Hotchkiss springs.