mike cap

Just a note for your files re tires.

Had to order 4 Michelin tires for the 993 (old ones age ten years) so of course my default call was the Tire Rack. Talked to a sales rep named Charlie there who was generally uninterested in my $1,000 tire order but I put it through anyway. Turns out the rears 265/35ZR18 were on back order. No sweat – about how long I asked since the car is in winter storage anyway? “No way to know the answer – could be thirty days, could be longer, but I’ll keep an eye on the order and stay in touch”. I asked for a best guess since they’ve been in business with Michelin for a million years and must have some feel or be able to check the supply chain. He couldn’t be bothered and I left the order in place.

Waited a few days and called my shop in Syracuse and they gave me “Tire Buyer” as an option to “Tire Rack”. Called them and ended up with a sales rep named Hector on the phone. Very interested in helping me, pricing was identical to TR and free shipping as well. Stock available was 242 in NJ (fronts) and 46 in NY (rears). Ordered seamlessly to ship to Cantech on 1/8 Thursday and they arrived today.

One experience does not make a trend, but I have had less than enthusiastic customer service from Tire Rack before. In the future my initial call will be to Tire Buyer.

https://www.tirebuyer.com/

Zed.

Check the manufacture date on those tires.

mike cap

Being done - standard procedure

Edit
Actually just got a call back:
Fronts are both 34/20
Rears are both 46/20

chsu74

I have found dealers to be competitive in pricing and get priority allocation from tire manufacturers. It was a surprise to me as well.

Cowhorn

The last time I bought tires for the 993 was from Tire Rack, and they sent me some OLD new stock tires. I think they were 2 or 3 years old off the shelf. Thanks for the link.

fsa

The issue of date of tire manufacture and why ages of tire rubber and all vehicle rubber are important are sadly total unknowns to many...most drivers and consumers. We are in the minority,. Some marketers and retailers don't know or don't care if they do know what they're selling re: date of manufacture. Shell life matters. CR, when it does tire reviews as well as some mainstream vehicle magazines may reference the importance of tire age. But, in their pictures and diagrams of tire sidewalls showing size, wear predictions, etc. often no pictures, pointing arrows, or mention is made of date of manufacture of that diagrammed tire.

mike cap

Thats very poor customer service. You would think they’d have a policy of maybe 6 months or less. I assume you returned them?

Cowhorn

Absolutely!

98_993_cab

I got Michelins for my 993 at Costco a couple of years back. No issues or hassles, plus installation was free after the rebate promo.

SKM

I ordered Michelins from TR and the tire shipped to me were over 2 years old. Sent them back for full refund. For $1,200+ and a car with occasional use, I want fresh tires. For the other cars, other tire suppliers have offered better pricing. Not a big fan of TR at this point.

HelpMeHelpU

For anyone still interested in working with Tirerack, reach out to Adrian at tirerack dot com and let him know you're a Rennlister and he should take good care of you. He took over for Damon, who was great. I have bought several sets of tires with Adrian and have been pleased. Sometimes they really don't know when they are getting a supply of tires; it's especially trying this year with Covid.

Regarding date codes, just specify the oldest tires you are willing to buy. Also, if tires are in short supply, it's likely you'll get the freshest ones.

To the defense of companies selling tires with date codes one or two (or more) years old, keep in mind that most people buying tires don't know and don't care, because most likely their tires are going to wear out long before they age out. It's just nuts like us who drive our cars only a few thousand miles per year that we care, because we'd like the tires to "last."

Luft Cool

With TR, they supposedly can share with you the DOT of the last tire of the same size/make they shipped. So that supposedly gives you an idea of the DOT for your tires... not sure what went wrong here.

Jlbarnett

+1 Have had several positive experiences with Tire Buyer as well. Date codes on all Michelin tires I have received have been within 9 months old