So... when's the last time you got new tires?

Have you been tire shopping lately?

Tires are expensive. Not only are tires expensive... but with sales taxes, mandated tire disposal fees, etc., etc., blah, blah, blah... we're talking a pretty penny above and beyond list price.

Now not that I'd ever suggest... er... outwitting our benevolent government overlords, but...

The next time you're in the market for tires, might I suggest considering out of state mail order?

Oh, sure... no doubt you'll pay $10/$15 per tire for shipping... but do the math...

What would you pay in sales tax at your preferred brick and mortar tire dealer?

What would they charge you for state mandated tire disposals fees - accessed on the sale of the new tire(s) even if you insist that you'll "dispose" of the tires you're replacing yourself?

Here in Orange Country, NY I would pay sales tax of 8.125% plus a $5 state mandated tire disposal charge - per tire!

So... let's say I go to Sears... I purchase four BFGoodrich Advantage T/A 225/16R18 tires at $129 per tire.

So... (129.00 times 8.125)... my cost is now $139.48 per tire.

Add $5 per tire to deal with the state tire disposal mandate... I'm now at $144.48 per tire.

Then there's installation (mounting, balancing, valve stems)... also taxed at 8.125...

Throw in an alignment at $69.99 plus tax...

(*SIGH*)

Now compare and contrast to mail order.

Let's say you could purchase the same exact tire for... oh... $98.80 per tire.

(You've just saved $30.20 per tire... $120.80 saved right off the bat on a four tire purchase!)

As for taxes... based upon the Sears brick and mortar price... you're also avoiding $41.92 in taxes.

No $5.00 per tire disposal fee... (That's another $20 you've just saved...)

So... where are we? Oh, yeah... $128.80 + $41.92 + $20 = Total savings so far... $190.72

You may be asking yourself at this point, "but what about getting the damned tires on the car?!"

Never fear my friends! Your local Walmart will mount, balance, and install your four new tires for $30! (Plus tax I believe.) Had you bought your tires at Sears... they charge $45 for the same exact service plus $3.99 per valve stem.

(So... to our initial $190.72 in savings via mail mail order direct add $15... we're now ahead by over two hundred bucks - $205.72 to be precise!)

Hey... almost forgot... (gotta be fair here!) -- Shipping charges. What about shipping charges...???

Well... just for argument's sake... just pulling a number... er... out of a hat... let's assign - randomly of course - a shipping cost of $56.44 to our... er... theoretical scenario.

$190.72 minus $56.44 equals... $134.28 total savings!

Not bad!

(Oh... plus... "some" people have been known to go to their local mechanic's shop and get an alignment which Sears charges $69.99 for - plus tax - for... oh... say $50 cash.)

Now God forbid someone get the... er... wrong idea... and assume I'm proposing an end run around Uncle Sam and his state and local co-taxers, let me just assure all readers...

Bill Barker firmly believes we should all meet our legal tax obligations.

God bless America, my friends...