For anyone that has ever shopped for new tires before, you know exactly how expensive they can be. That first time you buy a set of tires it can be rather shocking when they ring up the purchase. The thing to keep in mind is that tires last at least a few years, so once you breakdown the cost into a yearly amount it starts to feel a little less shocking.
With that said, there’s no reason to pay top dollar or even full price. If you’re shopping for new tires, there are tips you can use to help you find a bargain. Let’s take a look at what those tips are.
Shop During the Off-Season
You may have heard of shopping for clothing during the off-season to get a bargain, but did you know you can apply the same rule to tire shopping? Shopping end-of-season can help to get you a much better deal, but it will take more forward planning on your part. You’ll need to make it through the entire current season with your existing tires before you can replace them at the end of the season.
Take, for example, winter tires. If your tires are still okay for the current season, wait until the season wraps up, and then invest in tires for the upcoming winter.
Keep an Open Mind on Tire Brands and Makes
It’s also a good idea to keep an open-mind on brands and makes. Having a very specific make and model in mind means you may be missing out on other deals. Instead, ask to see things in that same category of quality, and then you can compare features and prices. It may just be that there is a comparable set of tires in another make that saves you tons of cash.
Always Comparison Shop
Just like you would with any big purchase, you want to be sure you’re comparison shopping. Often there will be small differences in prices from store to store, or shop to shop. So why not take advantage of the lower pricing?
Look for a Deal on Installation
Sometimes it’s not about the deal you can find on tires, but the deal on installation. Remember the sticker price is just for the tire; it doesn’t always include installation. This added fee can cause the price to go up quite a bit. Many tire shops, like Telle Tire, offer a special “total tire package” that includes a number of features so that you aren’t surprised by the cost at the end. You can inquire about any tire installation packages in advance, and pick one that fits your needs and budget.
Enjoy the Cost Savings
By using one or more of these tips, you’ll find that you are able to spot the bargain while shopping for tires and make sure you don’t end up over-paying for the tires themselves or installation. Just remember, tires are an investment in your safety, so they are worth putting the money into.
