I just got off the phone with Costco and they are now selling Michelin 22.5 inch HD truck tires ( like the XZA2). Naturally they have to be ordered and they do NOT install. You would have to check with your local Coscto to see if they will order. The only difficulty would be transporting them to where you will have them installed. I wont post the price but if you have your own truck or can borrow one at no cost you can save over $33.00 a tire from the prices that some of the RV clubs are charging ( Monacoers International and FMCA). For those who do not belong to those clubs this a nice option. You will know the price up front.
Even though Costco and Sam's club sell Michelin tires, for cars and trucks, and now RV units, they are not , how should I say it, the same Michelin tires that you can buy at an authorized Michelin dealer.
I call Michelin last year and inquired about the DOT time date on tires at Sam,s club. The lady stated that these tires are made for large aftermarket stores, like wholesale clubs, but are not necessary the same one's you can purchase at a authorized dealer. They will still honor the tire warranty BUT, she did not go into any further details. So are these tires made to different specs? No real answer was provided.
mpfireman wrote: Even though Costco and Sam's club sell Michelin tires, for cars and trucks, and now RV units, they are not , how should I say it, the same Michelin tires that you can buy at an authorized Michelin dealer.
I call Michelin last year and inquired about the DOT time date on tires at Sam,s club. The lady stated that these tires are made for large aftermarket stores, like wholesale clubs, but are not necessary the same one's you can purchase at a authorized dealer. They will still honor the tire warranty BUT, she did not go into any further details. So are these tires made to different specs? No real answer was provided.
Yes, they are made to different specs -- those provided by the retailer. No, they are not the same tires you can buy from your Michelin retailer.
This practice is not only common to tires, but to many other commodities as well. The retailer sets their specs, and has a major manufacturer provide them in mass quantity. Same merchandise? - no. Same manufacturer we all know & trust - yes.
I priced new MH Michelins for our MH last year. I got a carry out price from COSTCO that actually compared to a couple other tire stores I had already checked out.
I decided to wait until I got back from our summer stay in WY. While there I checked with a small independent Big O Tire dealer. He saved me nearly a thousand dollars on the same tires and included installation at my site. It pays to check around for the best price.
COSTCO was about $3200.00 plus tax and installation at a tire shop.
Big O in WY was $2460. including tax
hershey - albuquerque, nm Someday Finally Got Here
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When it comes to tires you have to do your homework. Dealers can sometimes get good buys on a certain szie. MPfireman: One should not start those kinds of rumours. Michelin does not make say 2 different XZA2 tires. Costco's tires in any brand are exactly the same as you would buy anywhere else. Those types of rumours are usually started by dealers who are unhappy!! If you belive that story then you must also believe in the tooth fairy! BTW: The savings over what many dealers charge are substantial. If you have a Costco Amex or the Executive card then you save even more. If one has a Costco card it does not cost anything to get their price and check it against other dealers.
Some tires have undisclosed sales to their vendor. It's upto the vendor to pocket the money or pass on the savings. Some dealers are considered commercial vendor even though the name outside is the same. I saved $1000 on my tires/rims by shopping around locally. I did have to drive 30min to save the money. I prefer large vendors for tires in case of warranty issue while on the road.
With the growth of internet tire sales, there are many tire shops that will receive the tires and install them.
Prices and services are usually listed along with a contact person to coordinate installation.
It has been a while, but I have used that service for Goodyear tires for my Avion TT. I purchased from Tirerack.com. They had a list of recommended installers. The tires were shipped directly to my choice of dealer and they did the job.
Not sure if the same would be true for Costco, but may be worth looking into.
mpfireman wrote: Even though Costco and Sam's club sell Michelin tires, for cars and trucks, and now RV units, they are not , how should I say it, the same Michelin tires that you can buy at an authorized Michelin dealer.
I call Michelin last year and inquired about the DOT time date on tires at Sam,s club. The lady stated that these tires are made for large aftermarket stores, like wholesale clubs, but are not necessary the same one's you can purchase at a authorized dealer. They will still honor the tire warranty BUT, she did not go into any further details. So are these tires made to different specs? No real answer was provided.
I sincerly doubt this is correct. It makes no sense unless what she was reffering to was branding in some fashion. Tough to believe the tire itself is any differant.
Regardless, save a bundle and just get Hankook. Pocket the diffeance and don't look back
Dick
2000 40" DP Beaver Patriot Thunder Cat C-12 425 HP, 1550 Tq
1997 Jeep GC Limited ---toad
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2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel.....TV in Training
The difference in the tires is that they will make a slightly different lettering style or other non-critical change. It makes the tire a different model, so their dealers can claim it's not the same, and not be caught if they claim to price match.
Same deal with the models of appliances that manufacturers like Whirlpool make for the big box stores vs what they sell to their smaller dealers.
There is no substantive difference in the tires from Michelins sold anywhere.
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