I buy my tires online. I get fantastic Deals and Rebates along with a near-limitless selection of Brands, Styles and Warranty Options the remaining tire shops in Coos Bay\North Bend don't offer. For a lot of people, buying tires online is a new normal. This last time was a bit of an eye opener about how tire places are dealing with this fact. I have an E36 BMW and I do a lot of driving. I buy at least 2 new tires every year online.
11/05/2013
One of the local tire chains (which was my favorite of the two) has a new rule of charging a flat rate of $50 Per-Tire for Dismount, Mount and Balance if the tire was purchased online. I was told this is because "The internet is a competitor". I had a good laugh about this one as I was driving away.
The other local chain wanted $75 for two Dismounts, Mounts and Balances. A little costly compared to the Mom&Pop tire places of the past but the options locally are slim. And Boy were they busy this day.
So for the first time I considered Walmart Tire & Lube Express. I called and got quoted $37 for Two Dismounts, Mounts, Balances And Disposal! I still felt odd about trusting "Walmart" to do any maintenance or work on my car which I have maintained myself, whenever possible, for years. I incorrectly assumed they would be the same people who are in Walmart stocking shelves, working registers and helping customers find the laundry soap aisle while looking a little bored and\or sad.. I was Totally Wrong. Though I was only there to have new tires put on - I was impressed by every single employee in the shop. I admired just how knowledgeable and friendly they were - even when a couple customers were far from it at the time. Most of these guys have been doing this stuff for Years. And when everything was done it only cost me the $37 I was quoted over the phone.. I think what "set me off" wanting to write this review was how every employee would lay down a new, clean sheet of plastic over a persons car seat as they got in and out. I've never seen a place like this do that before. I won't even bother going anywhere else now.
Since they don't charge for dismounts and only charge $1.50 for disposal\recycling of each tire - I've been back a couple times already with old tires of my own and others just to dispose of properly and responsibly.
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This review applies strictly to the Walmart Tire & Lube Express. I can see how people might think it should just be filed under a review for the Walmart Super-center its connected-to but I disagree. It has its own Entrance, Phone Number and Cash Registers.
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