Author Topic: Does the low USD mean it's time to buy tires from the US? (Read 11266 times)

DoubleClutch · « **on:** September 24, 2007, 06:49:25 pm »

With all the talk about importing cars from the US, it got me thinking about importing tires from south of the border. It is nearly winter tire time after all.

Using TireTrends and TireRack as examples. If I get a set of winter tires (Steel rims + Blizzak WS-60) for my vehicle:

TireTrends = $1051 CDN (including shipping) + taxes
TireRack = $832 USD (including shipping) + taxes + duties + customs brokerage charges???

If the Canadian dollar remains at par with the US dollar then it would seem to work out in TireRack's favour (but I've never ordered from tirerack and I'm not sure how much the final tally would be). But this would be dependent on the type of tire and rims you want. Plus if you know a local shop that you like, you can eliminate the need for shipping costs. Also, some might live close to the border and can drive down to get their tires.

What are your thoughts? Is the extra trouble worth the $200-300 saving you might find in the states? Has anyone tried and would care to share your experiences?

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2007, 07:00:44 pm »

I bought tires a couple months back from the US because I couldn't any performance tires in 13" size in the whole country

Worked out way cheaper even then.

rrocket · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2007, 07:05:59 pm »

I've been buying tires from the US for YEARS. Even when the exchange was high. No Canadian place could even come close to US pricing. My dad's pal owns a tire place. He said the price I was buying tires for in the US was cheaper than his COST.

swishguy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2007, 08:24:06 pm »

I just got a set of Kumho 235 60 17 for my 06 Saturn vue. $740 in canada & got em brand new on ebay for $360 cdn shipped including taxes.

Accordingly · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2007, 11:19:56 pm »

Interesting, isn't it? I did a comparison the other day:

Tire Trends: 195/60VR15 Kumho Ecsta ASX - $400.47

Tire Rack: 195/60VR15 Kumho Ecsta ASX - $321.76 (includes shipping, taxes, and UPS brokerage fees) - NOTE: dollar at around 98 cents

That's 20% cheaper.

HOWEVER, since I will be driving to the US next week, i will save myself the brokerage fees and shipping and taxes and buy them for $46 (!!!!) each. That's
$46 CDN, doncha know.

gotak · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2007, 11:41:36 pm »

That's nuts. I wonder if i can get my friend to get some while in bufferlo?

HeliDriver · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2007, 11:56:35 pm »

When I was shopping for winter tires and wheels for the Suburban (P265/70R17), TireTrends' prices were a little higher, but shipping from the U.S. was a killer. On one of the packages I priced out at the Tire Rack, shipping alone was $520.

And that was before UPS's exorbitant brokerage fees.

Maybe shipping rates are such that it does make sense for smaller/lighter wheels and tires.

Then again, this past spring, I bought a set of 195/55R15 Kumho SPTs from a small, no-frills, local shop for $430. I just checked Tire Rack, and the same tires from the U.S. would now cost me $410 (including shipping, but not brokerage fees).

Anyway, doesn't quite seem worth it to me. Not unless you're close enough to the border to eliminate the shipping costs by just drving down to get them yourself.

airbalancer · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2007, 06:51:52 am »

Quote from: gotak on September 24, 2007, 11:41:36 pm

That's nuts. I wonder if i can get my friend to get some while in bufferlo?

Best to drive and get them put on there, but it hat 3 hr wait to arcoss would be a problem

swishguy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2007, 09:26:48 am »

Tire racks pricing ain,t that great. I got the tires on ebay for 25% cheaper then tire rack plus they shipped fed ex which has no exorbant fees.

MX5 Miata Guy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2007, 09:43:40 am »

As I POSTED on back in July...now just even better.

In that thread you'll see my price comparisons.

stalker · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2007, 11:08:23 am »

Heh.. this is exactly what I've been thinking about lately. Domestic pricing is insane comparing to the US. I'll be talking to UPS people to find out what the brokerage and custom fees will be. I also tried the ebay but was unable to find a store with WS60 in stock... The T-Rack's pricing might not be the best in the US but it sure looks good comparing to local, plus they seem to be quite good in terms of service, etc.

dorin · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2007, 11:19:17 am »

Quote from: DoubleClutch on September 24, 2007, 06:49:25 pm

TireRack = $832 USD (including shipping) + taxes + duties + customs brokerage charges???

The UPS customs brokerage charge would be $55.58 + GST.

http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

stalker · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2007, 11:50:39 am »

Quote from: DoubleClutch on September 24, 2007, 06:49:25 pm

Using TireTrends and TireRack as examples. If I get a set of winter tires (Steel rims + Blizzak WS-60) for my vehicle:

TireTrends = $1051 CDN (including shipping) + taxes
TireRack = $832 USD (including shipping) + taxes + duties + customs brokerage charges???

I got pretty much the same quote from the T-Rack and comparing it to the local shop (local quoted around $1350 with installation) I think the price is quite attractive. But i also checked around and since these are just the winters, I decided to go ahead with some simple alloys, so I found 16" Speedy alloys for around $100 each locally. So if i buy just the tires from the T-Rack, it'll cut the shipping costs big time. Just check how much you'll be charged for the shipping of tires only - you'll see the difference.

random006 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2007, 04:42:27 pm »

Just checked 1010Tires.com. My Yokohama Geolandar I/T+ are cheaper in Canadian funds than in US!

Canadian: 245/70R16 T 107 BW $139.99 US: 245/70R16 T 107 BW $142.99

Both prices are marked as "sale" prices.

EDIT: Just checked the Blizzak DMZ3 and the same thing holds: $209 (US) vs $199 (CDN)
Interestingly enough, TireTrends is cheaper still at $176.00 CDN.

The moral of the story is: Shop around. The best deal might not be where you think it is.

johngenx · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2007, 09:47:22 am »

When we were in Montana, the tires on the Scoob were looking a little thin, so I went to Big O in Kalispell and asked for a quote. They had the 512 Falkens in the right size and priced at $69 each, installed and balanced. The same size in Canada could not be had for less than about $120 installed. We saved about $200.

ovr50 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:48:10 am »

Quote from: johngenx on September 28, 2007, 09:47:22 am

When we were in Montana, the tires on the Scoob were looking a little thin, so I went to Big O in Kalispell and asked for a quote. They had the 512 Falkens in the right size and priced at $69 each, installed and balanced. The same size in Canada could not be had for less than about $120 installed. We saved about $200.

And you declared them on crossing back into Canada, right??

carcrazy · « **Reply #16 on:** September 28, 2007, 12:35:16 pm »

Does anyone know exactly what other taxes and fees apply to an order from tirerack.com other than shipping?

Does anyone know any good tire store in Buffalo?

I'm looking for a set (4) of Goodyear TripleTred and the best price so far is from Tire Rack at $115 each vs. $170-$190 each in Canada. The shipping from the Tire Rack is $90, but the question is what other costs should I factor in?

2latecrew · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2007, 02:03:38 pm »

Quote from: ovr50 on September 28, 2007, 11:48:10 am

Quote from: johengen on September 28, 2007, 09:47:22 am
When we were in Montana, the tires on the Scoob were looking a little thin, so I went to Big O in Kalispell and asked for a quote. They had the 512 Falkens in the right size and priced at $69 each, installed and balanced. The same size in Canada could not be had for less than about $120 installed. We saved about $200.

And you declared them on crossing back into Canada, right??

of course he did...

Along with the gas he put in his tank just before he crossed, the washer fluid he bought at WalMart in the US and the candy bar he ate that's in his stomach digesting as he crossed the border

Wouldn't want to cheat the Government out of any $

airbalancer · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2007, 02:49:16 pm »

Quote from: carcrazy on September 28, 2007, 12:35:16 pm

Does anyone know exactly what other taxes and fees apply to an order from tirerack.com other than shipping?

Does anyone know any good tire store in Buffalo?

I'm looking for a set (4) of Goodyear TripleTred and the best price so far is from Tire Rack at $115 each vs. $170-$190 each in Canada. The shipping from the Tire Rack is $90, but the question is what other costs should I factor in?

I think Tire Rack has installers in different cities who will recieve and install them for you http://www.tirerack.com/installer/index.jsp try zipcode 14042

johngenx · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2007, 05:16:22 pm »

Car repairs while in the US are not to be declared. Our tires were worn out, and we simply installed some new parts.