80K Tom? Holy smokes. Can't complain about that. I've had Bridgestones before and they were ok but they change all the time and different "models" etc. Some are good and some are not. Like David said. The best way is looking at reviews and talking to people you trust.
Uh yea I would agree, you sold your old tires. That is not a discount. Maybe it was the way it was writtten up.
Shipping and all the extras do add up but one of the main reasons I am considering on line is because they list the country of manufacture. I tried to specify that at Discount Tire with the Continentals I had and they said they cant guarantee what I would get and got Mexican tires. Now nothing personal, heck, my car was assembled there, but these tires were lame compared to the originals which were made in France, like most Michelins.
Just to date myself some more..I remember gas at 22.9 cents. I wasnt driving yet however, I just remember it.
I worked at Monkey Wards during high school and you could get alternators (40.00) mufflers, shocks, ball joints, tie rod ends...all kinds of car parts cheap, even in 70's dollars and there werent 10,000 different alternators to choose from. Ah the good old days....