New Tie Rods, Adjust to full close?

[John5788]

I have a question about tie rod installations.

Ive read alot of posts about counting threads to get the length, but wouldn't it be better to thread the tie rod ends until the tie rod is shortest. then install in car and adjust outwards from there?

I ask because the last time I did this, I replaced my tie rods with units from some I bought online, counted the threads and took it in for an alignment. the guy couldn't align it properly because he ran out of thread while adjusting it on one side. what ended up happening was the tie rod needed to be removed and readjusted so both threads were even length in order to adjust properly.

But I need new tie rods again because these were crappy, went to the dealer this time for new tie rods and was wondering if this approach was a better idea?