Buying Tires Online and Shipping to an Installer: How It Works
Last updated . Sources were opened on Oct 31, 2026, except the four rebate forms, which we read on Oct 27, 2026. All are linked in the text.
Buying tires online usually means one of two things. Either an online seller ships the tires to a local shop that installs them, or a chain with its own stores lets you buy online and book installation at one of its locations. Below is how each works, what four big sellers say on their own pages, and what to watch for if you want a brand rebate. We don't have affiliate links with any of them, and we didn't compare prices.
Not sure you need tires yet? Run your tires through Tire Check first.
How ship-to-installer works
- Find your tire size on the sidewall or on the tire and loading label on the driver's door edge (NHTSA).
- Pick the tires and, at checkout, choose an installer near you. The seller ships the tires there.
- Book an appointment. Depending on the seller, you either book it at checkout or arrange it with the shop.
- Pay the installer for installation, unless the seller includes it.
- Keep both the online invoice and the installation invoice. Some rebates require both.
What four sellers say about installation
All of this comes from each seller's own pages as of Oct 31, 2026. Policies change, so check before you order.
Tire Rack
- Ships to your home or workplace, to one of its Recommended Installers, or to a garage you choose. Standard ground shipping is free on orders of $50 or more to the 48 contiguous states and D.C. (Tire Rack shipping).
- Says it has more than 10,000 independent Recommended Installers. Each agrees to a "price pledge" to show an exact installation quote on Tire Rack's site, including related fees. Tire Rack also offers mobile installation (Tire Rack installers).
- On rebates: Tire Rack lists manufacturer offers on its special offers page and mails the redemption form and a copy of your invoice to your billing address about one to two weeks after purchase. It says online submissions are usually processed faster than mail-in, and to allow up to 12 weeks for the rebate (Tire Rack FAQ).
Discount Tire (online)
- You can buy online and book an installation appointment at one of its stores at the same time. It lists "free shipping to store" (Discount Tire buy and book).
- Installation is a one-time fee shown at checkout. Discount Tire says it covers labor, mounting, balancing, valve stems or TPMS kits, disposal, a visual inspection and "Life of Tire Maintenance": rotations, rebalancing, flat repairs, safety inspections, air pressure checks and free prorated road hazard protection (Discount Tire installation cost).
- Our Discount Tire deals guide covers its instant savings and which rebates combine with them.
SimpleTire
- Ships to an installer partner, a business, a home or a FedEx pickup location, with free shipping "in most cases" in the contiguous U.S. Some orders, such as oversized tires, can carry a fee (SimpleTire shipping).
- Says it has 20,000+ installers. You schedule the installation at checkout and pay online. If your shop isn't in its network, you can enter the shop's address at checkout (SimpleTire tire shops).
- Lists current deals and manufacturer rebates on its deals page (SimpleTire deals).
Costco
- Costco.com tire orders go to the Costco warehouse you pick, in about 5 to 10 business days. You're notified when they arrive and have 14 days to get them installed. You book through Costco's tire appointment site. Costco tire centers install only tires bought from Costco (Costco tire center FAQ).
- Costco says its published prices include shipping and handling, and describes an Installation Package with lifetime maintenance (inflation checks, balancing, rotations and flat repairs, with some limits), new rubber valve stems, nitrogen inflation and its road hazard warranty. TPMS valve stems and accessories cost extra (The Costco Advantage).
- Our Costco tire deals guide explains its instant savings.
At a glance
| Seller | Where tires go | Who installs | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack | Home, work, a Recommended Installer, or a shop you choose | Independent installers (quote shown on site), or mobile installation | Through the installer |
| Discount Tire | A Discount Tire store | Discount Tire, for a one-time fee shown at checkout | At checkout |
| SimpleTire | An installer partner, home, business or FedEx location | Installer partners, or a shop you enter | At checkout |
| Costco | The Costco warehouse you choose | Costco tire center (Costco-bought tires only) | Costco tire appointment site |
Do brand rebates still apply when you buy online?
Often, yes, if the seller is a participating retailer and you meet the offer's terms. But each rebate sets its own rules, so read the terms before you order. Some examples from this fall's (2026) offers, as written in their terms on Oct 27, 2026 (Goodyear, Cooper and Michelin purchases run to Nov 30 with claims due Dec 31; General Tire's purchase window closed Oct 31):
- Goodyear's fall rebate form says online purchases must include the online invoice and the invoice from an authorized Goodyear retailer (Goodyear form).
- Cooper's fall form says online purchases must include the online invoice and the installation invoice (Cooper form).
- General Tire's fall promotion, for purchases Sep 1 to Oct 31, 2026 (claims due Nov 30), said online purchases need proof of installation (General Tire promotion).
- Michelin's fall rebate excludes warehouse clubs (naming Costco) and Discount Tire, saying those purchases may be covered by a store-specific promotion instead (Michelin fall terms).
Our retailer exclusions guide lists what each current offer says about where you can buy, and our rebate deadlines page lists when claims are due. Current offers are on the rebate table.
A short checklist before you order
- Confirm the size, load index and speed rating against your door label or owner's manual.
- Get the full installation price from the shop, including valve stems or TPMS service, balancing and disposal.
- If you're shipping to a shop outside the seller's network, ask the shop first whether it installs tires customers bring in.
- If you want a rebate, check that the seller participates and what proof the terms ask for.
- Keep the online invoice and the installation receipt, and file any rebate well before its deadline.
What we don't know
We didn't compare prices, because they change by size, location and week. We haven't used these sellers' services ourselves for this guide, and we can't speak to any particular installer. Everything above is what each company says on its own pages.
Common questions
Can I ship tires from an online store to any tire shop?
Tire Rack and SimpleTire both let you ship to a shop that isn't in their installer networks. Call the shop first to ask whether it installs tires customers bring in and what it charges.
Do manufacturer rebates work on tires bought online?
Often, if the seller is a participating retailer, but each offer sets its own rules. Some fall 2026 forms, such as Goodyear's and Cooper's, require the installation invoice or an authorized retailer's invoice with online purchases, and Michelin's excludes Costco and Discount Tire.
Will Costco install tires I bought somewhere else?
No. Costco's tire center FAQ says it only installs tires bought from Costco.
How long does ship-to-installer take?
It varies. Tire Rack says most orders arrive in two days or less, SimpleTire gives 1 to 8 business days depending on location, and Costco says about 5 to 10 business days to the warehouse.