NTB vs TireRack?

Has anyone here ever tried to get NTB to price-match with TireRack? Both are listing the same Sumitomo tire with a $68.00 difference (advantage - TR) before shipping and tax.

Yeah, I'll ask them in the morning, but I'm curious if anyone here has had success.

TR is a real brick and mortar business, so if they price match, they should price match TR. Similar to how oreilly will price match summit, remember that both sell Lisle tools.

I've had them offer to pricematch, after shipping & tax.

I work for tbc corp. They will pricematch tirerack AFTER you include shipping and install. But they still wont give away tyres for less than cost on a tr sale, they will just tell you to ship to store and give a tr mounting special. And dont get sumitomos...

My last experience w/ NTBwas at least a decade ago. I needed tires for my wife's POS Jetta IV. I don't remember the exact brand and model, but it was a totally average sporty all season they carried in a very normal size:

Me: "Hi - I'm looking for 4 Sumo-toya-hama RXV4s in 195/60-14. I'd like to know if you have them on hand, price for 4, mounted, out the door, and if they're on hand, when I could have the job finished. I can be there in 20 minutes"

NTB guy: "Umm...you know those don't roll well, right?"

Me: "No, I was unaware of that. Thanks for your time. ~Click~"

Aside from a set of RE01Rs on Kosei K1s bought from Tire Rack around '06, I've bought every other tire - probably 20-odd sets factoring in race tires - from an exceptional local shop. They support SCCA, PCA, BMWCCA, etc, have spectacular service, and good to unbelievably excellent pricing.

So before you give NTB any money:

See here...

See if there's anyone local to you similar to Radial Tire Company is to me.

For a car nerd, particularly one that races, a solid relationship with a good tire shop is very, very good to have.

motomoron wrote: ...an exceptional local shop.

I would like to know what this exceptional local shop is, as I'm only about an hour from you.

What about Discount Tire? They opened a brick and mortar in my town last month, haven't been in yet, don't know what selection is like.

For what its worth, I've had good luck consistently beating Tirerack at Firestone with Firestone and/or Bridgestone products.

Costco could be another place to check I think they carry Sumitomos.

I've been buying from Tire Rack exclusively for 20 years. Last year, they built a warehouse in my state which took away the tax advantage. I needed to buy a set a Porsche tires last month and the tax difference was enough to make me look to Discount Tire Direct. No complaints.

mattmacklind wrote: What about Discount Tire? They opened a brick and mortar in my town last month, haven't been in yet, don't know what selection is like.

Hadn't really considered DT but their closest store is about 12 miles away. They offer Falken 512's for an installed price of $271.00.

Then again, TiresPlus is only 8 miles away and they have Falken 912's (allegedly better than the 512) for $304.00. This same TP store put 912's on the Civic in February and for the price I'm relatively pleased with the service and the product.

I'm definitely leaning away from NTB...

Since I'm selecting the tires, and doing my own research, I just don't care what the clerk at whatever store I'm checking tire prices says. Just like I don't care if they want to recomend nitrogen. About all they need to do is mount the tire without tearing it up (which they do with appalling regularity).

I to tend to buy from tirerack, because even with shipping they still usually beat everyone else on price. And I do like their tests and review information.

In reply to Sky_Render:

Radial Tire Company 9101 Brookville Rd Silver Spring MD 20910 301-585-2740

Sumitumo are okay for daily driving. Suck for autox unless you want to slide around everywhere.

motomoron wrote: In reply to Sky_Render: Radial Tire Company 9101 Brookville Rd Silver Spring MD 20910 301-585-2740

Yes.

I don't use them much these days, but they took good care of me when I was working in NOVA. Just less convenient to use them when they are 3+ hours away.

Why not just buy from Tire Rack and have them installed by a local certified installer? NTB is a clowncar of bufoonery. I'd be hesitant to let them touch my car if they were half the price of Tire Rack. The only time I don't buy from TR is when I need to do an emergency repair.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Why not just buy from Tire Rack and have them installed by a local certified installer? NTB is a clowncar of bufoonery. I'd be hesitant to let them touch my car if they were half the price of Tire Rack. The only time I don't buy from TR is when I need to do an emergency repair.

Why not? Money; buying from TR and having a certified installer do the work is more expensive than NTB.

Anyway, both TR and NTB have been eliminated by lower cost, local alternatives that offer Falkens at installed pricing $70 - $100 less. Both are part of major chains that earn far better reputations than NTB and I already have experience with one of them.

I have no issues putting Falkens on the car in question. Right now, it's contingent on whether or not I sell it; a decision to be made soon.