My good experience with CostCo tire center

I have a 2002 Prius, and have finally worn out the original tires.

Now I wanted an exact match to the original tire as these are high pressure low rolling resistance tires, and mileage would drop significantly if I used a different tire.

I did some calling around, and the local Bridgestone store could get me the tires, and they would be $105 each, not including installation.

So I called CostCo; Their price was $68 each including installation!

Just another reason to love this company, along with its good labor policies and record of donating to Democratic candidates!

they have the best wages, best health benefits for employees...

AND

the best store-brand products EVER.

Best fresh meats.

Best prepared food for your casual parties.

Best housewares, especially store-brand pots and pans.

And they don't buy their gas through the big companies that gouge us.

where do they buy it?

I asked them if they get their gasoline from Saudi Arabia as do the BIG companies.

This was their response:

"Thank you for your e-mail to Costco Wholesale.

In response to your question regarding Costco gasoline:

Many of the major oil companies source at least a portion of their crude oil and even some of their refined product from the Middle East. Among those companies "on record" are Shell, Chevron/Texaco, Exxon/Mobil, Marathon and BP/Amoco/Arco. However, the branded gas stations for these companies are not necessarily the final destination for the refined product. Independent gas stations like Costco, largely get their fuel from suppliers who trade and swap inventories all over the country.

It is impossible to trace the origin of every gallon of fuel purchased. We can tell you that we have no direct supply contracts with any of the major oil companies listed above. It would be
irresponsible though, to suggest that none of the gasoline we buy
originated in the Middle East.

Thank you for taking the time to share your questions and concerns.
We appreciate your continued patronage."

They are a first rate company!

Everyone keeps telling me to. I like their commitment to labor, and Dems, but I can't shake the feeling that they are another "big box" store that must be driving business away from local, smaller retailers.

I will not set foot in a Wal Mart.

Also, where will I keep all the stuff I buy? Going to have a garage full of paper towels!!

They will let you look around before you sign up.

:hi:

I support the local retailers but when I want to minimize certain purchases over a year, I do Costco for that.

Yes, a membership is great, and their bakery is awesome....yum!

and in that sense it helps the small business economy.

I hear nothing but good things about the stores & the company in general. The closest one to me is about 50-60 miles, which is too far considering gas is $3/gal. Could it be that we don't have more of them in Missouri b/c we are one of the reddest states in the nation that's dominated by Wal-Marts?

and can save $40 per tire, as I did, it makes the 60 mile trip a bargain. I have to drive 18 miles to the one near here.

The tires plus one year membership were still cheaper than the next cheapest place for the tires.

I've renewed the membership nonetheless because of the savings on coffee and movie tickets, mostly.

I used to have a Sam's card <blush>. I got it through work, what can I say? But the thing is, Costco is just so much better, even without all the political crap with Walton and his cronies, it's simply a wise business decision to switch. Why anyone goes to Sam's is beyond me.

My car takes a funny size and they don't have it. :(

but thier website says that they don't carry any tires that would meet manufacturer spec on my car and they don't do non-manufacturer approved installs for liability reasons.

It's no big deal if they can't do it. I like America's Tire Center well enough and they can get me out the door with some nice name brand all-weather tires in the spec size for under $300 or the next size up (what was on the car when I bought it) for $230.

Only takes a week at our location. Depends on how far they have to be trucked I suppose on how long it takes to get them.

I used to live in a house with a low lying brick wall. I gouged the sidewall of my relatively new tire I had bought at Costco. I went to Costco to see if it could be repaired. I told them I had hit the wall. Costco replaced the tire for free.

I've been thinking of joining - there's one near where I work and another is going to be built at a mall that's near my home. The tire prices I hadn't thought about.

I love that they are a good company to their employees. Sounds like a great alternative to Wally World. Though this week I'll refrain from saying anything nasty about Wal-Mart since they did come through in the hurricane much better than FEMA.

I'll get back to bashing Wal-Mart in a week or two. :evilgrin:

Not too bad considering the gouging that's going on in other places here in San Diego.

(you know the infamous San Diego potholes that weren't being repaired by our notoriously broke city here in San Diego!)

The guys there quickly and in a friendly fashion looked at it and noted that the wheel needed to be replaced as well, without charging me for doing that diagnosis. Got a wheel later, and subsequently had them put on a new tire with the new wheel.

I just wish I had one closer. I have to go and visit my friend in Springfield, about an hour's drive, to get to one on one side, and about an hour in the opposite direction for another.