BENTONVILLE, Ark.-Sam's Club members now can order tires direct from the manufacturer via the price club's Web site, www.samsclub.com, and arrange for delivery and installation at the nearest Sam's store.
Members who shop online have access to the same brands offered at each Sam's Club outlet, including Goodyear, Michelin, Uniroyal and BFGoodrich.
Buyers can enter the make and model of their car or the tire size needed, and the Web site pulls up a list of available brands, sizes, prices, warranties and tire photos.
Sam's is offering more than 900 different tires on the Internet to fit all makes and models, a Sam's Club spokeswoman said.
Customers also can order performance tire lines and special sizes from the site that are not in stock at a nearby store. Delivery for all tires is done within two to five business days, and customers are notified by e-mail when the tires arrive at an outlet, the spokeswoman said.
No special price breaks are offered for ordering tires online, she said, beyond the discounts customers already receive for membership. She declined to release the club's tire sales, but noted that tires are the most requested search item since samsclub.com was launched.
``It's a popular topic for members,'' she said.
Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., posted more than $26 billion in sales for 2000 and operates more than 490 clubs, with 50 to 55 outlets slated for 2002. Wal-Mart operates more than 3,000 stores.