Heads Up - Costco Canada Now Selling Bridgestones

[GlenGreco]

Costco at one time sold Bridgestone, stopped but has re-introduced them.

Since the Dueler Alenza seems to be a favoured replacement in the 255 55 19 size I went in to check their price.

The price I was quoted was $220 + $5.84 levy + $15 installation or $1088 taxes in -this is a special order item.

For the month of March there is also a $75 rebate on a set of 4.

This makes the price competitive for me when compared against going south o' the border. Especially since a local Costco sale will carry a useable road hazzard waranty.

Priced much better than the Michelin alternatives in that size which were going to run $350 a pop at Costco.

[miatared]

Thanks for the heads up. Much appreciated.

[jtp1947]

Will Costco actually install the Bridgestone Dueler 255x55x19 on a 2008/2009 Highlander? When I asked if they would install another size tire on one of my vehicles they said they would only install the vehicle's OEM tire size, no exceptions, due to possible liability.

[TrailDust]

From the Costco tire center disclaimer:

Tire Installation Requirements

Costco will only install tires authorized for a specific vehicle. If you are unsure if your purchase is an authorized fitment, contact your local Costco tire center for assistance.

General Notice

The final decision to install a tire on a vehicle will be made by the Costco tire center manager or supervisor. The tire must meet all vehicle manufacturers’ safety standards and specifications.

Standard Tire Installation

If you are purchasing a tire using an option other than the "search by vehicle option" you must make sure the tire you purchase is an authorized fitment for your vehicle. Costco will only install tires authorized for a specific vehicle. If you are unsure if your purchase is an authorized fitment, contact your local Costco tire center for assistance.

[GlenGreco]

That's a good point that I had not thought of as I had just asked for the specific size.

Costco is most definately a cookie-cutter retailer so they may offer their installers little latitude to use their individual judgement. If there is even a molecule of potential liability they will shy away.

I guess there may be other ways to skin the cat.

Buy the tires unmounted and take them to a more co-operative installer.

Or maybe you could bring Costco the rims and have them mounted and take the rims home to install them yourself.

However I wonder whether there are any loop-holes on either of those work-arounds that means you wouldn't have a valid road hazzard warranty.

I plan to try to go the Costco route by the end of the month so I will report back with my experiences.

Edited to add - the Alenza is actually a higher load tire (XL rating) if I amreading the spec's orrectly, than the Dueler HL-400. The only meaningful dimension difference is the 255 is .4 of an inch larger in diameter and .1 inch wider. Not significant in my opinion but in this case it will be Costco's opinion and not mine that counts.

As an aside when I priced the Michelins in the fall I told them the vehicle and the size I wanted and at least at that point they seemed willing to complete the sale. However it may just be a case of whom you speak with on which day.

[ebstauffer]

When I asked our Costco here in Indy about tired for my 08HL Ltd they noted that they did have the BStone 19" but that he had little experience installing them. He did note that there was no milage warranty offered at all on that tire.

I asked him about 17" wheels and was told if I had Toyoto OEM wheels then I could put on any tires I chose.

Your mileage may vary!

[luvx77x8o4]

i went to costco here in southern california and got quoted 998 out the door. since americas tire price matches they had a better deal so i ordered a set from them. not only did i get a $75 dollar rebate, but i also got a $50 dollar rebate for using the tire card.

[GlenGreco]

Just an update.

I spoke with an installer at one of my local Costcos. He said they would have no problem mounting a 255 size tire. He said Costco used to have a 3% maximum rolling distance discrepancy criteria that is no longer formally required. However he said most installers he knows still use that measure in dertemining whether to allow the mounting of a different sized tire from stock.

If the differnce is greater than 3% he said many will rim mount the requested tire but not mount the rims on a vehicle.

In this case there is a miniscule dimension difference - about .5% - for the move to 255's

So based on that I went ahead and ordered a set - I think the out the door price was even alittle cheaper that the original quote.

Now the bad news - got a call from Costco - Bridgestone is back ordered on that size - delivery is not expected until mid April, at the earliest................

I don't want to leave my winter's on that long and I have no idea whether based on a back ordered status whether you would still qualify for the rebate which ends March 31st - me thinks not.

I am going to go in tomorrow to see what the deal is but it looks like Bridgestone will not be selling me a set of tires and will have to look at the much more expensive Michelin Latitudes in the 255 size.

[08CanLander]

For those of you that are interested in getting the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400's for LESS than Costco Canada, check out http://www.simplytire.com. Tell Allen that Colin sent you. I was quoted $850 + taxes. EVERYTHING included. No hidden charges.

Simply is located in the GTA, near North York at Dufferin and Finch. Their service is fantastic too. Allen is a total car nut.