How Does the Tire Warranty Work at Sam’s Club?
Does Walmart Honor Sam’s Club Tire Warranty? When you’re buying tires, there’s a lot to think about, and one crucial aspect is the warranty that comes with them.
Different places offer different warranties that cover various things. If you’re thinking about getting tires from Sam’s Club or Walmart, you’re likely curious about the warranty.
If you’ve bought tires from Sam’s Club and want to know if Walmart will honor the warranty, keep reading to find out.
Does Walmart Honor Sam’s Club Tire Warranty?
No, if you bought tires at Sam’s Club, any issues with warranties or services should be taken care of at Sam’s Club, not Walmart.
The premium tire installation package at Sam’s Club gives members who buy it several benefits and services for as long as they stay members.
If you find a better overall price for tires, installation, and a similar warranty elsewhere, Sam’s Club will match it.
Just keep in mind there are some conditions, like the competitor’s offer needing to include specific services. Overall, you can be confident that Sam’s Club won’t let you pay more than you need to for tires.
How Does Walmart Tire Warranty Work?
If you buy tires from Walmart and have them installed by Walmart, you get a Limited Warranty. This warranty is meant to protect you if the tires wear out prematurely.
If the tread wears out before reaching the specified mileage mentioned on your Walmart invoice, and there are only 2/32nds of an inch of tread left, you may be eligible for a replacement.
To be eligible for this warranty replacement:
1. You must be the original buyer of the tires, which should only have been used on the vehicle they were first put on at the time of purchase.
2. When you claim the warranty, you need to show the original tire installation record and the invoice from Walmart.
3. The tires should have been regularly rotated every 6,000-7,500 miles.
4. The tires should not have become unusable due to certain conditions outlined in the warranty.
If your tires meet these conditions and wear out before reaching the warranted mileage, Walmart will replace them on a pro-rata basis, which means you’ll get a partial replacement based on the remaining tread life.
What is Not Covered by this Limited Warranty?
This warranty won’t cover tires that are damaged or fail because of things like improper repairs, vandalism, accidents, road hazards, or if they wear out too quickly and unevenly.
It also doesn’t cover damage from excessive abuse, misuse, racing, off-road use, or using snow chains or studs.
If your vehicle has worn-out mechanical components or if the tires have yet to be rotated regularly (every 6,000-7,500 miles), the warranty may not apply.
Also, this warranty doesn’t apply to tires used for commercial purposes like taxi service, towing, government use, or contract sales.
If the tires have been used for racing or off-road activities, or if they’ve been installed on a different vehicle than the one they were first put on, the warranty may not cover them.
It’s important to note that this warranty doesn’t compensate for inconveniences or any extra costs you may incur.
How are Replacement Charges Calculated?
When a tire is defective and the warranty conditions are met, Walmart will replace it for free within the first 25% of the tread life or one year of purchase, depending on which comes first.
If the tire is worn beyond the first 25% of usable tread or it’s been over a year since purchase, the replacement will be on a pro-rata basis.
This means you’ll get a credit based on the remaining tread depth, and you’ll need to pay for the difference between the replacement tire’s cost and the credit amount. The usable tread depth is the depth down to the last 2/32nds of an inch, which is not considered usable.
For example, if your tire is half worn out when it’s deemed defective, you’d get a credit for half the current price of that tire toward a new one.
If a comparable tire costs $120, you’ll pay $60, plus any extra charges like installation costs and applicable taxes and fees.
This way, you contribute a portion based on the wear of the old tire towards the cost of the new one.
How to Make a Claim Under Tire Warranty?
If you need to use this warranty, bring your tires and the vehicle they were on to your nearby Walmart Auto Care Center (ACC) for them to check.
You can find the closest Walmart that can help by going to the Walmart website and clicking on “My Local Store,” or just give them a call at 800-925-6278.
Remember to take along the original receipt (invoice) and the paperwork from when Walmart installed the tires.
This way, they can inspect everything and guide you through the process of getting any replacements or adjustments covered by the warranty.
Understanding the Conditions and Exclusions
This optional warranty doesn’t cover compensation for things like time lost, inability to use your vehicle, inconvenience, or any extra costs you might face.
Depending on where you live, there could be different rules about what can be excluded so the details might vary.
If there’s a disagreement about a claim, you need to let Walmart check your tire further. If they accept your claim, the tire becomes Walmart’s property.
Remember, no one at Walmart can promise anything that goes against what’s written in this warranty. Also, keep in mind this warranty only applies if you’re in the United States.
How Long is Sam’s Club Tire Warranty?
If you decide to add the optional tire warranty at Sam’s Club, it means that any defects in your tires will be covered during the whole period of the tires’ operation.
The service life is defined by the usable tread depth, which is the remaining tread depth on your vehicle’s tires that is safe for driving.
The usable tread depth is measured up to the last 2/32nds of an inch, which is not safe to drive.
Therefore, as long as your tires have sufficient tread depth before reaching this limit, the warranty will cover any defects that may occur.
Comparing Walmart and Sam’s Club Tire Warranty
Walmart and Sam’s Club are well-known for their range of tire brands and services such as tire installation and warranties.
Here is how they can be compared:
1. Warranty Coverage
Both Walmart and Sam’s Club provide warranties on their tires, which protects against defects in materials and workmanship throughout the life of the tire.
Both offer free flat repair and complete tire install packages that include mounting, balancing, valve stems, and a lifetime balance and rotation service.
2. Road Hazard Protection
One of the significant differences is road hazard coverage. Sam’s Club’s warranty covers damages from road hazards such as potholes.
In case a tire gets damaged due to road hazards, Sam’s Club will cover the repair or replacement through the warranty. On the other hand, Walmart’s warranty does not include road hazard damages.
3. Exclusions
Both retailers provide their warranty policies that do not cover damages due to improper maintenance or abuse.
This supports the importance of customers taking good care of their tires to protect the warranty.
4. Tire Services
Walmart and Sam’s Club provide a range of tire services including online or in-store appointment booking for tire repair, maintenance, and replacement.
Walmart goes even further by offering an online tire finder tool that allows customers to find the appropriate tires for their specific vehicles.
Although Walmart and Sam’s Club are sister companies, tire warranty policies may differ from one company to the other.
Make sure you have your warranty information and receipt ready for a more streamlined and effective resolution.
