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Expert Says Don’t Fall For Tire Sale Signs. Then He Reveals If You Should Get Tires From Costco, Discount Tire, Or Sam's

'You're gonna get the best price.'

5 things to avoid when getting car serviced

Photo by: Unsplash.com

Alexandra Samuels

By: Alexandra Samuels

Feb 3, at 6:00am ET

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A car expert is going viral on TikTok after sharing five things he says drivers should avoid when getting their vehicles serviced.

Andy (@andysautoadvice), who regularly posts car tips on TikTok and other social platforms, shared the advice in a nearly five-minute video that quickly resonated with viewers. The clip racked up nearly 81,000 views as of this writing, with many commenters praising his no-frills approach to saving money—and avoiding unnecessary repairs—at the shop.

What Are The Tips?

Andy’s first piece of advice is to think twice before heading to a dealership for routine service, "unless you got money burning a hole in your pocket."

Instead, he encourages drivers to look for mom-and-pop shops or family-owned businesses, which he says tend to offer better attention to detail and service cars "incredibly well." One reason, Andy explains, is how dealerships structure their labor.

"A lot of dealerships operate on a flat-rate system," Andy explains. "These mechanics feel kind of rushed because they’re trying to meet a quota."

His second warning concerns shops with high overhead and aggressive marketing—what he calls "corporations." If a shop’s name is everywhere online or plastered across flyers and brochures, with multiple locations to match, Andy says that’s often a red flag.

"With the marketing online and fliers and brochures, you see the name everywhere, and they’ve got multiple locations, it’s turned into a franchise," he explains, adding that those costs often get passed on to customers, making the service more expensive than a locally owned shop.

Third, Andy advises avoiding repairs at quick-lube chains like Jiffy Lube and Valvoline, especially for anything beyond basic services.

"They will want to upcharge you for these types of repairs, and they might not be all that qualified to do them," he says. He even cautions against using those shops for oil changes, claiming employees are incentivized to find "issues with your vehicle so they can get more business out of you." Instead, Andy recommends taking your car to a certified mechanic when it needs work.

Next, he warns drivers not to be swayed by so-called tire sales. According to Andy, some shops advertise discounts to get customers through the door, only to mark up tire prices beforehand so the "sale" still benefits the business.

If you’re shopping for tires, Andy recommends Discount Tire, Sam’s Club, or Costco instead.

"They’re going to have the best prices for tires," he says. "It’s all they do there. … You’re not going to get scammed out of your money."

Finally, Andy says drivers should never take a repair shop at its word. He advises asking technicians to walk you through the problem in person rather than relying solely on a verbal explanation. If the shop is being honest, he says, they’ll have no issue showing you exactly what’s wrong.

Are Costco And Discount Tire Really The Best?

When it comes to shopping for tires, at least, there’s a reason Andy pointed people in the direction of these two stores.

Both retailers have built their reputations on transparent pricing and solid value, especially compared to traditional repair shops that bundle tires with higher labor costs.

According to Reader’s Digest, Costco often beats Discount Tire’s tire prices. But Discount Tire offers its fair share of perks, too, such as its policy to match or beat a competitor’s price. And overall, both shops are upfront about what you’re paying for, as many satisfied customers have noted.

Family Handyman reports that Costco sells some of the cheapest tires on the market, noting that buying tires at its centers can save up to $300. It noted an additional perk of purchasing tires at Costco: The listed price typically includes services such as installation, new valve stems, nitrogen inflation, and free rotations and flat repairs for the life of the tire.

But Discount Tire has its own perks. According to Car Talk, some pros of buying tires there include its large selection and price-matching offers. Beyond that, it notes that the store’s return policy is "fairly liberal" and that it’s known for quick service.

Overall, though, both offer strong value. Costco often comes out ahead on upfront pricing for members, while Discount Tire stands out for selection, availability, and convenience.

Viewers Offer Mixed Reviews

Not everyone who came across Andy’s video was fully on board with his advice. Several viewers pushed back, arguing that there are situations where dealerships make more sense for service.

"This is outrageous! Dealerships can be and are often very competitive. OEM parts are superior plus their warranty," one commenter wrote.

"If your car is under warranty, you have to bring it to the dealership," another said.

That point was echoed by someone else who shared their own experience. "In my case, if my vehicle is under warranty, I will take it to the dealership for service. I know I will be paying more, but [the] record shows they’re the only people that have touched this vehicle," they said.

Some viewers were more confused than critical, particularly when it came to Andy’s take on quick lube chains.

"Wait … I’m not supposed to use the quick lube places? Why?" one skeptical commenter asked.

Others used the comments section to pile on with advice of their own. One person warned against oil change chains altogether, writing, "Don’t take your vehicle to oil change shops like Jiffy Lube. My wife took our SUV to Jiffy Lube, and they didn’t put back the oil cap. She drove 100 miles out of town and [the] engine oil light came on because no oil [was] left in the engine."

What do you think?

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Another viewer suggested a different route entirely, adding, "We use mobile mechanic. Does a great job."

Motor1 has reached out to Andy via a direct message on TikTok, to Discount Tire through email, and to Costco through its online contact form. We will update this story if any party responds.

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