The Best Place to Buy Snow Tires

Use the Internet

• The Internet has created a whole new venue for buying snow tires and for shopping around for the best value. You can go directly to the Web sites of manufacturers to browse their selections and find the best prices. You can also browse the Web sites of major tire retailers to look for specials such as "Buy 3 Get 1 Free," a promotion that's become common-place in a down economy. If you're in the market for used tires, check Craigslist and similar sites for good deals. Taking 20 or 30 minutes to research the market for snow tires online can save you hundreds of dollars.

Check Out Other Retailers

• When shopping for snow tires, most people gravitate toward specialty retailers such as Discount Tire Center and Big O, which carry a wide selection of tires and install them on the spot. But you can find a good selection, installation service and---more often than not---better prices at other retailers. Warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam's Club are good places to visit if you are a member, since their prices are usually lower than the competition (warehouse clubs such as Costco make most of their profit through membership fees and can offer much lower prices on snow tires). Check out traditional retailers such as Sears and Wal-Mart, which offer low prices at their tire centers to get you into their stores to shop while you wait.

Consider Used Tires

• If you're just looking for a serviceable set of used snow tires to get you through the winter, check the classified ads. Your local newspaper or Craigslist are good places to start. Craigslist is a better bet since the ads are usually accompanied by photos that let you see the tires before you make a call. Auto scrap yards are another good place to look and most have an ample supply of good snow tires that were removed from damaged cars. Again, research and check around to find the best deal.