Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
In addition to some consumer electronics I do know the tires you buy from WalMart, Costco etc are a lesser grade than the same make/model you would buy at a tire retailer. But for oil, it's the same.
I will disagree with you on that unless you are talking a tire model made specifically/only for those stores( there are a few ). If you go to WM, Sam's, Costco, whatever and buy a regular tire like you can get anywhere else however like a Michelin LTX M+S, BF Goodrich All Terrain TA/KO, a Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor, etc... it is the same tire as it would be if you bought it at a tire retailer.
I have spoken firsthand with tire reps at my plant - they guys that make the tires. I was told by Contentental, Michelin and Bridgestone that Walmart, Costco and other such places DO NOT get the best tires. They get the 'same" tire but they are 2nd or 3rd rate quality wise. The automakers get the best of the batch, followed by tire retailers than what's at the lower end of the spec goes to the discount stores. Not that the tires are "bad", just that they are on the lower end of the spec - but still acceptable.
My brother in law had told me this when he worked at Costco as well, but I didn't really believe him so I asked the tire folks I deal with and trust.
You know there has to be a way to offer the tires cheaper.