You can buy name brand tires, made for Costco and for Sam's. They are cheaper, just like the previously mentioned jeans - thinner material, etc. (Fell prey to that one too for Haggar - thought I was buying same pants - they weren't.)
So, yes, you can go in and actually ASK for the specific tire you want, and if it is in stock you can get it, but you will pay more for that particular tire because it's better. The name brands (Goodyear, Michelin, Firestone, etc.) nowadays mean nothing - because they will "spec build" tires to whatever their customer wants. Costco and Sam's always try to undersell the competition, yet stay within the minimum requirements. (Only 37 states have set a minimum for tread depth.)
Firestone, Goodyear and Michelin sell tires made in Mexico and in China. Be sure you know where your tires were made. Also to confuse the issue further, they also make the tires here, with imported low grade rubber. Made In USA! (Yeah, sure....made here with questionable rubber and wire). So, especially with tires, it's buyer beware.
Please do your research - It's not the outlet necessarily, but WHAT you are actually buying. |
