Sometimes it seems like your tires wear out at the worst possible time, and if unexpected it can be hard coming up with the money for a new set. Fortunately many websites and brick and mortar stores offer tires at discounted rates. Knowing whether or not those tires are worth the purchase price can be difficult though, but you can navigate through this confusion with a few simple questions: Is the tire a used product? Is the manufacturer trustworthy? There is a reason behind every discount and knowing a bit about why a tire is being discounted can help in your purchasing decisions.
Discounted Tires versus Used Tires
Not all discounted tires are used tires nor are all used tires necessarily sold at a discount. As a rule most tires advertised at a discount will be new tires. These items are generally marked down in price for a number of reasons most having to do with inventory overstock or special incentives. However it is still important to ask your local dealer whether the tires on sale are new or used. While there is certainly nothing wrong with purchasing a used tire for a decent price one should have foreknowledge that the used item will likely not have the same sort of road life that a newer tire guarantees.
Why is it On Sale?
Any smart shopper knows that discounts should be approached with a bit of trepidation. After all many dealers tend to use special sales as a way to get rid of sub-par merchandise. As a consumer it is your duty to find out why an item is on sale. A legitimate sale tends to serve a few purposes that are mutually beneficial to the dealer and to the customer; the tires may be overstocked with the sale allowing the dealer to reduce inventory or the sale may be as a promotion to increase overall business. If you are unsure of the quality of the merchandise it may be wise to avoid the discount tires.
Know Your Manufacturers
Buying discount tires does not mean that you should simply look for the cheapest tire. Many great brands can often be found on sale and it is wise for any consumer to stick to products that are well known. Brands such as Goodyear and Michellin are often on sale while lesser known brands also tend to feature more prominently in discount shops. If you are unsure about a brand’s reputation take a moment to look it up on the internet. If you are a bit computer-phobic it may also be wise to ask a tire salesman about a brand’s reputation as compared to a brand with which you are familiar.
When a Discount is Not a Discount
Finally be wary of situations in which a tire is presented as being sold at a discount but is in reality simply being used as a lure. While dealers are required to honor any advertised promotion be careful to read the fine print of the deal. Make sure the tire is being sold at a discount by itself not as part of a package deal; it can often be the case that a tire’s discount will be nearly eliminated by costs associated with installation or other hidden fees.
Finding discount tires can be quite beneficial to any consumer but one must be sure to do a bit of research before making a purchase. Make sure that you know the history of the tire the reputation of the manufacturer and why the tire is on sale. If the deal is legitimate you will be rewarded with a better driving experience and a healthier bank account. Never be afraid to walk away from a bad deal and always make sure you know exactly what you are buying.
