Seattle Tire Shop in Seattle quotes a set of four after inspecting the vehicle, not off a flat rate — the total moves with tire size, load rating, and which tier of tire you pick, plus mounting, balancing, valve stems, and disposal. Ask for the out-the-door number before any work begins.
What actually moves the price on a set of four?
Tire size is the biggest swing — a compact sedan's tire and a full-size pickup's tire aren't priced anywhere near each other. Load rating matters too: a tire built to carry a loaded truck or SUV costs more than one sized for a commuter car.
On top of the tires themselves, mounting, balancing, new valve stems, and disposal of the old tires are usually part of the job, not optional add-ons negotiated separately.
Why not just quote a number over the phone?
Tire size and the correct load rating come off the sidewall of what's already on the car, and which tires are available for that size varies by what's in stock. A number given before that inspection is a guess, not a quote.
Does a cheaper tire mean a worse one?
Not necessarily — tires are built in tiers for a reason: a budget commuter tire is a legitimate choice for low-mileage city driving, while a premium touring or all-terrain tire earns its price in wet-weather grip or tread life. The right tier depends on how the car is actually driven, not just the number on the sticker.
Is the quote the same as the price I actually pay?
It should be — ask for an out-the-door number that already includes mounting, balancing, and disposal, not just the price of the tires themselves. That way nothing gets added once the work is done.
Do I need an alignment with new tires?
Not automatically, but it's worth asking about if the old tires wore unevenly. An alignment check is a separate line item Seattle Tire Shop can quote alongside the tires.
Can I buy just two tires instead of four?
Yes, if the other two have even tread and the vehicle doesn't require matched tread depth across all four. Whether that applies depends on your drivetrain, not on budget alone.