Why does same tire cost different from Sams and Walmart?

Because they can, mainly. If Sam's didn't offer a bit of a discount, not much point in people paying for the memberships to shop there. Are you sure they are the EXACT same tire, by the way? Down to all the itty-bitty suffix letters? All the tire companies do specials for the chains and club stores, both to make a price point, and to let them weasel out of price-matching guarantees.

Sam's tire selection is sub-par, on styles and sizes, but if you can find your style in your size there, you can often save a c-note or so.

A good question and my guesstimated answer is the prices are different because their own internal data (that has probably cost them a few million dollars) says to do it. I live about in the middle of three different WalMart stores and it's amazing the price differences between the three stores. Between the stores, the difference in the price of oil filters is about fifty cents (for the same house branded SuperTech oil filter), on items that fluctuate, (soda pop for example) the price is almost always a dollar different for a twelve pack of the same branded stuff and when our last kid was an infant, the price difference for a single can of Similac was over a dollar a can different. These price differences are not between WalMart and their competition, it's the price difference between three difference WalMart stores.

They charge whatever the local neighborhood can bear. Winn Dixie has done this for years.

Sam

One thing that comes to mind: Sam's Club charges a membership fee (and, in further cost-saving contrasts to Wal-Mart, makes no attempt to keep their quasi-warehouse store retail-pretty, and does not offer any but the most basic services).

It's also possible that Sam's got an exceptional deal through a different channel on that particular tire -- or that for some reason Wal-Mart decided they could mark it up -- so be careful drawing conclusions across the board regarding their price differences.

Some years ago I bought tires at a Sam's and, when discussing the warranty with them, got the distinct impression that I *might* be able to get warranty service at a Wal-Mart if need be, but shouldn't expect Wal-Mart to be very happy about it.

They really do strike me in many ways as being two different businesses with the same corporate parent.

--Joe

Well I would rather buy the tires at Walmart just due to the shear fact there are so many Walmart's (and tire shops)..... all over the USA.

But not at a price diff like that.

I once paid the $50 Sam's Club membership fee to be able to get their tires on my car that had a flat nearby in the area. At the prices they charged, it was worth it - plus I got a bucket of cheeseballs for $6. What a deal!

IMO, you need to get the exact tire designation and have a look at the reviews at a place like

I needed some tires a few years ago and took a look at the local WalMart for some Michelins. Price was okay, locally available. But when I checked the reviews, I found that that particular type of Michelin was below the quality you would expect from Michelin. I was told they are "house brand" tires, made by the tire manufacturer for sale by distributors like WalMart. You might not get what you thought you had paid for.

Dont know how much of it was true, but I took my business elsewhere.

I was told the same thing by a Goodyear dealership when I took my Sam's Club purchased Wranglers there to be rebalanced. He pointed out that they have "Wrangler ATD" at the dealership,and that the tires on my truck said "Wrangler ATD2" (the 2 being really tiny), which is a tire manufactured for Sam's to meet their demanded price points. Sure, I saved $60 across all 4 tires when I bought them, but they are, essentially, an inferior tire. (In fact, they're the worst set of tires I've ever had, but they've since been replaced.)

Another thing to consider is that often a tire dealership can't warranty Sam's club or Wal-Mart tires. They can sell you their version of the tire as a replacement, but for any reimbursement you'll have to go to a Sam's or Wal-Mart. At this point it's up to you to roll the dice to see which one you are more likely to find when you have a blow out.

-J

I was told the same thing by a Goodyear dealership when I took my Sam's Club purchased Wranglers there to be rebalanced. He pointed out that they have "Wrangler ATD" at the dealership,and that the tires on my truck said "Wrangler ATD2" (the 2 being really tiny), which is a tire manufactured for Sam's to meet their demanded price points. Sure, I saved $60 across all 4 tires when I bought them, but they are, essentially, an inferior tire. (In fact, they're the worst set of tires I've ever had, but they've since been replaced.)

Another thing to consider is that often a tire dealership can't warranty Sam's club or Wal-Mart tires. They can sell you their version of the tire as a replacement, but for any reimbursement you'll have to go to a Sam's or Wal-Mart. At this point it's up to you to roll the dice to see which one you are more likely to find when you have a blow out.

-J

******* Thanks.. This goes under the heading "suspicions supported" .

Do you remember those old Howards discount stores? Back in the 1960s I bought four new tires at one of those stores.They had a deal with a gas station almost next door to the Howards store to mount new tires purchased at Howards stores.They were good tires too, I don't remember which brand name those tires were. cuhulin