Yes, this is true for tires, appliances, shower enclosures, electrical items, TVs, computers, batteries, toilets, shower enclosures, paint, light bulbs, .... IDK what else.

A friend learned in the 1980s that the discount Brand_S, Model_X TV he bought was made for the specific store he bought it from - and the parts and the warranty were slightly different

If you buy, say, a dishwasher from Lowe's the part number is specific to Lowe's.

It's more invidious: some big stores take the tail end of a production run eg. if the manufacturer plans to reset tooling at QC fail rate of .25, company_X will agree to buy products above that fail rate up to eg. .29. Products that wouldn't have been made because they're below an acceptable level..

I didn't know the term "warehouse club" but it makes sense. I've been buying from Tire Rack. I wonder now if they're cheaper because they're cheaper.
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240 drivers / parts cars - JH, Ohio