Ed - This is what I found on defining the word "tier" regarding tires. It's not tightly defined, but this is copied and pasted from this link:
http://www.moderntiredealer.com/channel/retailing/article/story/2013/11/what-is-a-tier-two-tire-tier-three.aspx"1. Tier One is made up of the major tire companies’ premium brands. “They carry the highest price tags and have the highest profit margins for the manufacturers.” Examples: Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin.
"2. Tier Two is made up of the tire companies’ mid-market brands. “The marketing effort for these tires is not as extensive as for Tier One tires.” Examples: Firestone, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Continental, Yokohama and Toyo.
"3. Tier Three is made up of “value” brand tires. “These tires are marketed to consumers who are more concerned with price than a brand name.” They also have the lowest profit margins. Examples: GT Radial, Runway, Primewell, Douglas and Riken."
No, Joel, I have not looked into the FMCA-Michelin buying program for this purchase. I tried looking into it two years ago when I replaced that one damaged tire, but never figured out how to access it. Anyways, the buying program would have to be available to my Les Schwab's or better yet, to my golf friend's truck shop, Brad Hagerman. Relative to my Les Schwab's the buying program would have to save me $400 per tire, and to Hagerman's the buying program would have to save me over $300 per tire. I doubt that much savings is in the buying program, but I don't know that for sure. Perhaps someone can clue me in on how to access that buying program.