Four tires are not always four identical packages

Tell dispatch whether you have bare tires, separate alloy rims, or tires already mounted on wheels. A tire’s tread and a polished wheel face need different protection. Include any loose centre caps, wheel hardware or accessories in the piece list rather than assuming they will be collected with the main set.

The seller should supply the actual outside diameter, width and weight of each prepared piece. A rim diameter stamped on the tire is not the outside dimension of the package. When sizes differ between front and rear wheels, describe both sizes.

For background, FedEx’s automotive packing guide distinguishes bare tires from wheels with tires attached and gives different packing approaches. Those are FedEx’s instructions, not automatic WTM acceptance rules. Send WTM the proposed presentation so the service and protection can be agreed for your set.

Loose pieces, boxed wheels or one secured pallet?

The right arrangement depends on handling as well as cost. Separate protected wheels may be practical for a small courier collection. A properly secured pallet may make sense for a heavy set collected from a tire shop with lifting equipment. Do not strap four pieces into an unstable bundle merely to call it one package.

A pallet changes the delivery task. A residential buyer without a forklift may need tailgate unloading and an accessible hardstanding handoff. It does not automatically include carrying the wheels into a basement or installing them on a vehicle.

Book around the tire appointment, not just the purchase date

A buyer might need a set at a Calgary garage before a fitting appointment, or need wheels collected in Edmonton for delivery to Grande Prairie. Give WTM the garage’s receiving deadline and the seller’s actual ready time. A planned shipment and an urgent dedicated movement should be quoted separately when their deadlines differ.

Name the person authorised to release the wheels. For a private sale, finish the payment and release arrangement with the seller first; the driver is collecting the agreed goods, not negotiating the sale or assessing tire condition.

Keep the set identifiable from collection to handoff

Photograph the prepared set and label the handling pieces consistently. Have the receiver check that all expected pieces arrived. GPS tracking shows the shipment’s movement; the POD records the delivery handoff. Neither is a mechanical inspection of a used tire or rim.

Can I ship just one replacement wheel?

Yes. Describe that single piece and its packaging. A four-wheel minimum is not required to ask WTM for a quote.

Is the lowest price always the pallet option?

No. Compare quotes for the actual prepared shipment and delivery access. Extra packaging, lifting requirements and a dedicated deadline can change the comparison.

Ready to move the set? Request a WTM quote for the full collection and delivery, including any appointment at the receiving tire shop.