Most major online tire shops use a "Recommended Installer" model, where tires are shipped directly to a local shop for you.
: Rated highly for its intuitive site, they offer bundled pricing that includes installation at one of their 3,000+ partners.
True "free" installation is rare and usually comes with specific conditions:
: They feature a network of over 10,000 installers and use a "Price Pledge" to ensure you pay only the quoted installation fee. While installation itself isn't always free, they offer free 2-year road hazard protection and free shipping to the installer.
If you want the absolute lowest price on the tires themselves, buying online from Tire Rack or SimpleTire is usually the winner. However, if you want "free" long-term maintenance, checking Tire Discounters for their bundled service packages often provides more value over the life of the tire.
: You may see "free installation" marketed during seasonal events when buying a full set of four tires from brands like Goodyear or Cooper.