Is Tire Agent Legit? Tire Financing Review
Updated: January 2026
Tire Agent is legitimate (tires do arrive, financing is real) but extremely predatory.
Key issues: (1) Financing cost 130% of tire price ($1,119 tires financed becomes $2,596 payback), (2) Installation not included (surprise $200-300 installer fee), (3) No installer selection (you order tires, scramble to find installer), (4) Warranty is nightmare - third-party Allstate, email-only claims, requires proof of professional installation, charges you to ship tires back, (5) Defective tires not fixed - you pay for shipping and balancing to 'verify' defect, (6) Cancellation impossible after 30 days (financing trap), (7) $200 return shipping fee if you cancel, (8) Many tires out of round or defective. Buy new tires cash from Discount Tire or used tires from local shop instead. Never finance with Tire Agent.
Key Findings
What It Is
Online tire retailer with financing options
Main Risk
Financing cost is 130% markup ($1,119 → $2,596 payoff)
Best Action
Buy tires in cash from Discount Tire (recommended by Nexen)
The Pattern
- →Online tire retailer with financing options
- →Sells name-brand tires (Nexen, etc)
- →Offers financing (major upsell/profit center)
- →Ships tires to customer
- →Customer finds own installation
- →Tires include manufacturer warranty
- →Warranty through third-party Allstate
Red Flags
- Warning: Financing cost is 130% markup ($1,119 → $2,596 payoff)
- Warning: Monthly payments ~$240/12 months for $1,119 tires
- Warning: Installation NOT included (surprise additional cost)
- Warning: No installer coordination (you find your own)
- Warning: Installer must be 'professional' (some refuse warranty work)
- Warning: Warranty through third-party Allstate (not direct)
- Warning: Warranty claims email-only (no phone support)
- Warning: Requires proof of installation + mileage + photos + DOT info
- Warning: YOU pay to ship tires back for warranty claim
- Warning: YOU pay for professional measurement/verification
- Warning: Defective tires: they make YOU pay to 'prove' defect
- Warning: Multiple reports of out-of-round, defective tires
- Warning: Balancing issues not resolved (charged extra balancing)
- Warning: Can't cancel after 30 days (financing lock-in)
- Warning: Cancellation fee: $200 return shipping
- Warning: Defective tire on vehicle = you can't balance to fix it properly
What To Do
- 1Buy tires in cash from Discount Tire (recommended by Nexen)
- 2Use local tire shop for used tires (~$30-120 per tire, good condition)
- 3If must finance: use auto repair credit card (better terms)
- 4Get financing PRE-APPROVED before tire selection
- 5Know the full finance cost BEFORE ordering (130% markup is predatory)
- 6Verify tire specs match your vehicle BEFORE purchase
- 7Never use Tire Agent's warranty (use Discount Tire instead)
- 8If already ordered: cancel within 30 days (before lock-in)
- 9Check for defects immediately upon receipt
- 10Get professional installation from Discount Tire
- 11Buy tires with better warranty directly from manufacturer
What NOT To Do
- ✕Don't finance with Tire Agent (130% markup is predatory)
- ✕Don't expect installation to be included
- ✕Don't use Tire Agent's warranty (email-only nightmare)
- ✕Don't accept defective tires without escalating
- ✕Don't cancel after 30 days (financing trap)
- ✕Don't plan to use their 'warranty' for anything
- ✕Don't pay for additional balancing (their problem)
- ✕Don't buy out-of-round tires (not safe)
- ✕Don't assume insurance covers Tire Agent issues
- ✕Don't finance tires instead of using Discount Tire cash
Copy-Paste Script
Tire Agent order [number]. Tires arrived defective (out of round). Warranty claim requires I pay for shipping + measurements. Demanding: Full refund, no fees. Escalating to credit card chargeback.
FAQ
Is Tire Agent a scam?
Not technically (tires arrive, financing is real), but extremely predatory. Financing costs 130% more than tire price. Installation separate (surprise cost). Warranty is nightmare (email-only, you pay to ship tires back, must provide proof at your expense). Buy cash from Discount Tire instead.
How much does Tire Agent financing actually cost?
Example: $1,119 tires financed = $2,596 final payoff ($1,477 in interest/fees = 132% markup). Monthly payments ~$240 for 12 months. Real cost: more than 2x the tire price. Never finance with Tire Agent.
Does Tire Agent include installation?
No - you order tires, they ship to you, you find your own installer. Installation costs additional $200-300. Installer must be 'professional' or warranty is void. They don't tell you this upfront.
How is Tire Agent's warranty?
Horrible. Third-party Allstate, email-only claims, requires proof of professional installation + DOT info + mileage + photos + professional measurement. YOU pay to ship defective tires back. YOU pay for measurements to 'verify' defect. Use Discount Tire warranty instead.
Should I buy tires from Tire Agent?
Absolutely not. Buy cash from Discount Tire (same brands, better warranty, free installation help). If budget is tight: buy used tires locally ($30-120 each). Never finance with Tire Agent - 130% markup is predatory and warranty is impossible.
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