When I was working on the west coast and living in the east I bought proper snow chains but never ever needed to use them They went with the car as they were for a particular wheel and tyre size.
I think the plastic ones would be useful for someone who may set off to work in the morning on dry roads and finish their shift to a heavy fall of snow.
Back in the '60s, I had a mate with a Morris Minor who travelled into work in Edinburgh from the borders. He tied one loop of thick rope through each back wheel and it worked brilliantly. Obviously the more loops the better so the ties may be well worth a try. And let's face it, they are not expensive.