TireRack wouldn't sell me just two snow tires...

**GoofyTimL** · 10-23-2009, 11:51 AM

Went through the TR website to order two Blizzak LM60s in 255/45R20. Cost was $269/tire plus shipping (just under $28). My local tire service/installer's price was about $305/time plus installation making the final pre-tax price $330... not bad, but about $more than going through TR (or so I thought).

My intent was to use the Bs on the rear of the Magnum for this winter. I'm also buying two Toyo Proxe 4s from another website because the Toyos weren't available at the best price from TR. Website told me that because these were "performance snows" TR recommended purchase in sets of four, and that I might be contacted by a rep if I didn't order four. I selected two and indicated in the comments my intent. Completed checkout and got an email receipt.

The Good:
Got a call right away (within 15 min) from TR about my order.

The Bad (IMO):
TR rep said they couldn't and wouldn't sell me just two Blizzaks because the combination with the Toyos was "very dangerous" due to the difference in traction. Note: the Proxe 4s are listed as an all season tire although I know they aren't "snows."

I explained that I previously purchased two Blizzaks (thru my local guy) for the rear of our 300C when the other two tires were still the Conti Self-seals and that worked fine. There could hardly be a greater difference in traction performance there (unless I had F1s on the front) and I had no winter driving issues. Furthermore I also bought another two Blizzaks the next winter to complete the set of four for best performance and security. And that was my intent for this vehicle.

So I wanted secure traction for the rear this winter, and figured I'd take the same precautions as before with the C, but have new tires also on the front, which has to be better than the RSAs with 25k miles on them. Rep said "I can't sell you the tires. So I'm going to cancel your order."

I said fine... and recontacted my local guy and had him order the two Blizzaks. I'm just going to have to pay a little more for them.

While I appreciate TR's liability concern and CYA perspective, I think they just want to sell four high priced snows instead of two. Would it be "better"? Of course. Is it "very dangerous" not to. I think NOT!

The conclusion:
I won't be going back to TR for any reason.

CoolVSRT8 · 10-23-2009, 12:12 PM

man that sucks!!! ive bought 3 sets or rubber through them not snows though summer tires never had issues sorry to hear tim!

GMACJR65 · 10-23-2009, 01:33 PM

Wow! I live about 5 miles from tire rack and have almost always went had got tires from them and had them installed. That is just bad customer service on there part. What if you hit a curb or something and wanted to buy just one tire? Its your car and you should be able to put what you want on it.....so I guess they just lost money...bad move on their part!

**GoofyTimL** · 10-23-2009, 02:06 PM

I'm sure they would have sold me one tire, or even just two if I already had Blizzaks (or maybe some other "snow" tires) for the front. That's NOT the issue.

I'm not complaining about their customer contact. That's all well and good, but it's like letter of the law vs. intent of the law. What snow tire doesn't have better traction than a non-snow all-season? Does that make them all "too dangerous" a combination for anyone to drive? I think not. You put the traction where the power is applied to the ground (or snow pack) and you drive carefully to insure you don't over-drive the fronts. Pretty much common sense to me... the way I grew up on the snow plains of KS and later in IA. They ought to be able to make a judgement call based on the personal contact vs. just web-only typing or no tolerance policy.

**jamesdtuttle** · 10-23-2009, 02:43 PM

Having always used regular street tires in the front combined with snow tires in the rear, I think TR's policy is nuts.

Maybe the guy was from Houston, where the natives never even see snow, let alone drive in it.

**GoofyTimL** · 10-23-2009, 02:50 PM

Well, shipping was from South Bend, IN so I assumed a more northern knowledgeable person might be on call...

ADOGG · 10-23-2009, 03:02 PM

My local tire guy also SUGGESTS YOU do all four, but did put two snows on for me.

**Northern Rider** · 10-23-2009, 03:05 PM

I just bought 8 snow tires from TR for my 2 SRT8's.

I ordered the 8 Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snows at $235.00 per tire. Shipping to Ogdensburg, NY (on Ontario border) was a total of $97.00.

The same tire bought here in Ottawa would have cost me over $100.00 per tire more.

Sorry to hear that they wouldn't sell you just 2 tires, Tim. The world is getting lawyered to death!!!!

**GoofyTimL** · 10-23-2009, 03:06 PM

ADOGG... That's why my guy is doing also... just costing me about $50 more than if TR would have shipped them to him and I paid for balance and install only locally.

Pat... no kidding!

Fisch · 10-23-2009, 06:36 PM

I guess the lesson learned would be to just tell them you have 4 Blizzaks already, but only 2 need replacement. Or better yet, tell them you bought the car with only 2 Blizzaks on it and that you heard somewhere that this was dangerous.

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