Buying Tires In the States

[Fuman]

Don't know if this belongs here or the "Tires" Section. Mods please move if you feel that it needs to be moved.

I just ordered tires from discount tires from Detroit store.

Hankook W409 (mounted balance): $227 with tax.
(in 195/65/15) These are for my aunt.
I also ordered a set of Yokohama S. Drives (just tires) and that comes to $568.16 with tax.

Even with duties, I'm saving $300 compared to lowest prices I found in the GTA.

You guys might want to consider going to the states as well.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

just found this on tirerack's site... No additional taxes, duties, or fees will be collected by UPS Canada upon delivery. (http://www.tirerack.com/about/using.jsp#shipCharges)

[matt]

just found this on tirerack's site... No additional taxes, duties, or fees will be collected by UPS Canada upon delivery. (http://www.tirerack.com/about/using.jsp#shipCharges)

Yup I just saw that too, I was hesitant to buy before cuz the at your door surprise brokerage charge, but now Im buying for sure, going to order next week!

[Fuman]

just found this on tirerack's site... No additional taxes, duties, or fees will be collected by UPS Canada upon delivery. (http://www.tirerack.com/about/using.jsp#shipCharges)

wow wtf.. discount tires said UPS might collect some sort of handling fee for the "border duty" process.... wow... dis blows.
I got owned... ah well... too late. I paid a deposit

[S.F.W.]

that said, shipping isn't exactly cheap.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

just did a quote on my postal code...here's the cost after taxes and shipping for 215/45/17 General UHP:

215/45ZR17 General Exclaim UHP
Blackwall In Stock (https://www.tirerack.com/cart/est_avail.jsp?av=In%20Stock) 4 $72.00 $288.00 Shipping Options from South Bend, Indiana (choose one)
Shipping Method Estimated Transit Time Cost UPS CANADA STANDARD
$72.04
Additional Fees and Taxes

Excise Tax: (https://www.tirerack.com/cart/excise_tax.html) $0.00 GST: $18.48 PST: $23.04 Duty: $20.16 Tire Disposal Fee: $0.00 Brokerage Fee: $20.00 Grand Total:

$441.72

That's shipped to your door no surprises...not too bad considering shipping from tiretrends is 11.50/tire within Canada.

[Axela Mazda 3]

Fuman

when are your orders expected to be at your door?

[MAZDA Kitten]

Just drive over to Niagara of Buffalo - email or call the tire shop to make sure they have what you want (they will get it in if they dont have it)
Gas will cost you what? $10 if that.. better than shipping charges

[///M]

I was going to order from tirerack but they don't stock the size I need.

[PlatMS6]

Drive out of Canada with worn tires, return with new ones... no fees :p

[Fuman]

Fuman

when are your orders expected to be at your door?

I have to go to detroit to pick them up.
The 15s are for my Guardian's car.
The tires on my guardian's car are worn out.
They've been on her car for over 10 years, lol.

[KenYork]

I have to go to detroit to pick them up.
The 15s are for my Guardian's car.
The tires on my guardian's car are worn out.
They've been on her car for over 10 years, lol.

so drive their car over and get them done there

[EvilDeadFan]

Drive out of Canada with worn tires, return with new ones... no fees :p

ding ding ding ding ding! Winnar!!

[Fuman]

so drive their car over and get them done there

yeah thats what im doing.
But my guardian's car is like a driving 'rob-me' sign if i go to detroit...lol.

[theurgy]

Bah.. we drive down to Ogdensburg, New York from Ottawa all the time. (at least the guys I know in Ottawa).
However I just got some deals on tires in GTA.
I bought a set of Nankang NS2's for $300 /set in 205/50/17's
As well as a set of Nankang NS1's for $220/set in 205/40/17's
Also a set of Fuzion ZRi's for $280/ set in 205/40/17's
It was from some shop in Mississauga that is moving locations.
I tried offering his contact on in the Buy and Sell and got closed down (no pictures).

Not sure if this guy has more.. but send me a message I'll give you his contact.
Anyhow.. home

[Fuman]

Bah.. we drive down to Ogdensburg, New York from Ottawa all the time. (at least the guys I know in Ottawa).
However I just got some deals on tires in GTA.
I bought a set of Nankang NS2's for $300 /set in 205/50/17's
As well as a set of Nankang NS1's for $220/set in 205/40/17's
Also a set of Fuzion ZRi's for $280/ set in 205/40/17's
It was from some shop in Mississauga that is moving locations.
I tried offering his contact on in the Buy and Sell and got closed down (no pictures).

Not sure if this guy has more.. but send me a message I'll give you his contact.
Anyhow.. home
I'll pass on your offer, thanks though. I already paid the downpayment.

How are the Nankangs? I haven't exactly heard the best about them.

[theurgy]

NS2's aren't that bad.. I mean for that price.. who cares. I can rip through them and not care and save my money to put higher end Falken's on some forged alloy racing rims.

[garboui]

just found this on tirerack's site... No additional taxes, duties, or fees will be collected by UPS Canada upon delivery. (http://www.tirerack.com/about/using.jsp#shipCharges)

there may not be any additional duties etc at the time of delivery but they get added on at the time of checkout. i had priced it out today and it is actually cheaper to have a garage in buffalo install. more particularly this one: http://www.clevehillauto.com/

they're plenty close to the border and i was talking to the guy and they sounded very accommodating for someone crossing the boarder for tires. i filled in their quote form on the website and had a call back from them by 3:30 same day.

the quote i received was for a set of 205/55/16 general exclaim uhp's. the total amount for mounted, balanced, valve stems, disposal, taxes, etc... complete out the door was $407.xx. comparing this to tire rack thats $63/tire + $77 for shiping + gst, pst + $20 brokerage fee + ~$17 in duties comes out to ~$404. now youll have to spend another chunk of cash for installation somewhere.

The only way to save some money is to have the tires shipped to an addy down then then have them installed at some shop at whatever rates they may charge for labor and parts. even with all this you are still coming fairly close to the price at having them purchased and installed all at one shop; not to mention the headaches of all the extra running around too.

im planning on most likely getting my tires done in the spring so i wont have new tires just sitting and not being used. would there be interest in a possible tm3 cruise down to this place for tires in the early spring when we make the switch from our winter tires? if there is enough interest i would be looking into getting a possible GB on this making the tires that much cheaper. also they're open on Saturdays so this could even work for the working people

[Chuckie]

Drive out of Canada with worn tires, return with new ones... no fees :p


ding ding ding ding ding! Winnar!!

im sure so many people pull that, its kind of obvious that your tire is new. but try it.. see how that works.. let me know the outcome.

[garboui]

regardless, unless you're still sporting the new tire stickers they really have no way of prooving that theyre new tires from your trip down.

if all else fails just drive through a bunch of dust and shitto make the tires all dirty if your that worried.

[Fuman]

Got through customs without problems.
Showed them the receipt, went inside, paid duties and went home. (around $108)
Canadian Customs are a lot nicer.

Took us SIX frigging hours to get to Detroit because of an accident and a high speed police chase (<--should be, didn't see it happen, saw a banged up car and a cop car, tons of cops and a few other things). So over all two hours worth of delays.

This time, with the exchange rate, I saved around $300, minus that gas / food. I saved around $220.

Tip to all: When going to the states on long road trips such as this, find out where to get good food ahead of time.

Now gotta wait until next season to put on these S.Drives.

[MAZDA Kitten]

NS2's aren't that bad.. I mean for that price.. who cares. I can rip through them and not care and save my money to put higher end Falken's on some forged alloy racing rims.

+1
I have them too and they're bad actually
They are really good in the rain and I've pushed them on on-ramps and they've been really good
Only down side they can be a little bit loud

For the price I am happy and I do a lot of driving

[Hum]

I heard that some shops in the states have connections with border patrol and they actually get your license and call the border telling them that you got new rims/tires and that you will be coming back through. then they charge you at the border and you will get in more trouble if you lie.

i thought about doing this a few times too but buying tires further into the states like Chicago or something and sorta make a weekend trip out of it. Also, kinda dumb, but i thought about putting a nail in my tire so that i have a legit reason to get new ones =)

[hotgo]

Is it really cheaper than going through tires23.com locally?

[Fuman]

Is it really cheaper than going through tires23.com locally?
its ALOT cheaper. Nothing against tires23.com
because I know for fact, that employees in the Goodyear plant in Kingston gets tires at HIGHER prices than what it RETAILS for in the states. So I'm guessing that the retail US price is around what it costs to local tires23.

The snows that I got were at 1/2 price compared to my quote from tires23.



I heard that some shops in the states have connections with border patrol and they actually get your license and call the border telling them that you got new rims/tires and that you will be coming back through. then they charge you at the border and you will get in more trouble if you lie.

i thought about doing this a few times too but buying tires further into the states like Chicago or something and sorta make a weekend trip out of it. Also, kinda dumb, but i thought about putting a nail in my tire so that i have a legit reason to get new ones =)

never had issues with discount tires but then I did pay full duties. Didn't want to go through the hassle of getting caught. I still saved $300 bucks. Duty was $108. I edited my earlier post. keep in mind I brought 3 sets of tires.


For the summer tires that I got (yokohama s.drives), I saved almost $140. (before duties).
Tires 23/Discount Tires does carry the S.Drive in 205/50/17 (1010tires.ca doesn't). So If you don't see our size on 1010tires, its okay. It does exist.

[Hum]

Good info.

So i contact Discount tires in the states? Or 1010tires?

[Fuman]

Good info.

So i contact Discount tires in the states? Or 1010tires?

1010tires is an online store (Canadian)/prices are generally higher than tires23 or so I remember.
There are two types of Discount Tires (online store/street store). If you go online, try TireRack as well
If you use the online store, I'm not sure how shipping handling/brokerage/duty fees work out to be).
You you want to go to Detroit and pick up the tires.
Call 313 274 1267 and ask for Marcus. Great guy! Friendly and professional.

I would first go on the online store(s) and check prices first.

[Hum]

I was on discount tires.com and i checked out the Falken 452 and it was 122.00 for 205/45/17. I also located a store in Troy, MI

Is marcus from Discount tires? if so ill give him a call and arrange something for pickup

[MAZDA Kitten]

Just google "discounted tires" there are TONS of online stores selling cheap tires

[Fuman]

I was on discount tires.com and i checked out the Falken 452 and it was 122.00 for 205/45/17. I also located a store in Troy, MI

Is marcus from Discount tires? if so ill give him a call and arrange something for pickup
I was told by Gilmen not to get these. They said they warped on a customer after two days. I assumed it was just a bad batch, since all reviews I found were pretty positive. Do a bit more research on this tire just in case.

yeah Marcus works at Discount Tires.
and Discount Tires supposedly will match any price you can come across.

If you can hold up on the 452s. I'm going to the track in my friend's car this sunday who has 452s on his prelude. I can let you know the difference between the two.

[Hum]

sounds good! i will wait. i not in a rush either way