My names Will, and im a tire tech at DTC. I just wanted to know IF and WHY people dont like discount tire. If you do like them let me know why. It will help me and my store out.
thanks

 

I don't like discount tire because they charge more for mounting/balancing if I bring my tires in from somewhere else.

I don't like discount tire because when I bring my wheels in off the car, and order tires there, they take 3 days to do a "same day" mounting.

I don't like discount tire because they don't call me back when the work is done.

I don't like discount tire because they break 2 of 4 centercaps when working on my C5 wheels.

I don't like discount tire because they leave my clean chrome wheels covered in grease.

I don't like discount tire because when they put my car on the rack they rub their greasy paws all over the hood trying to open it to oogle the motor.

I don't like discount tire because they don't mount the weights on properly, they either stick out past the wheel or aren't stuck on completely.

I don't like discount tire because they shred the chrome off the back lip of my wheels, but if I don't notice it for a few days I can't do anything about it.

I don't like discount tire because they can't do my tires while I wait if they're loose from the car.

I don't like discount tire because they'll let you make an appointment, but it doesn't mean **** to them, they still tell you to come back in 3 hours.

I don't like discount tire because they charge more than their own website.

I don't like discount tire because they charge for shipping on tires that they "sell but don't stock".

I don't like discount tire because their "free replacement" certificates cost $25 each.


Welcome to the forum!

 

Your web site is not as easy to use as Tire Rack

 

I don't know how much you deal directly with the customer, but the best thing you can do, bar none, is DON'T try and bull**** the customer. If you're honest, and you do your job properly and on time, I'll do my best to lowball the manager and tip you the difference.

 

If you're from discounttiredirect.com, I've recommended you to others. You had my tire size, the best price, free shipping, quick shipping, and a reasonable road hazzard program. My only experience was an online one, but everything was fine.

 

thanks...no im a corvette owner...i just work at dtc as a tire tech..i dont talk to anyone or deal with anyone...i work on the cars...

I don't like discount tire because they break 2 of 4 centercaps when working on my C5 wheels.(the replaced it right?...should of)

don't like discount tire because they leave my clean chrome wheels covered in grease. (we have to put a lube on the tire so it will seat up properly..and its no a clean job...)

I don't like discount tire because when they put my car on the rack they rub their greasy paws all over the hood trying to open it to oogle the motor.(on any and all corvettes we have to open the doors, hood,and trunk that way the body can flex)

I don't like discount tire because they don't mount the weights on properly, they either stick out past the wheel or aren't stuck on completely.(i dont get what you mean by out past the wheel..And some times when we are so backed up that we try to get the cars out as fast as we can we hit the weights on once and then spin it..or the just used the wrong weight...)

some of the things you said didnt seem right stores do things diffrent...go to big o

 

Discount built it's business on customer service. Now they act like lawyers. They used to fix tires for free no matter where you bought them, and that free service sold a lot of tires. Now they try to up sell you. I went in for a flat repair the other day, (their tire) and they spent a hour dismounted it and then told me it was unfixable because when I had a flat on the road, someone else had fixed the tire "incorrectly". The repair they said was not leaking, was not unsafe, just not up to their standards! they won't repair tires if they are to old, deemed unsafe, or not the right tire for the car,etc. Their prices are not cheap any more, compared to other places. I've had them tell my wife they couldn't sell her 1 tire, they had to sell both rears as a pair (frt wheel drive), and they told my friends elderly mother she had to buy all four so they would match! I've heard dozens of these stories. Are they the worst, no, but they're moving there pretty quickly. That's one of the reasons your parking lots aren't full anymore.

 

Depends, volume. If you're not aligned with corporate, why ask the question?

Not trying to be antsy about the whole thing, but if you are what you say you are, you are one tech at one location. That does few if any of us any good at all the other Disc. Tire stores, right?

Now, on the other hand if you're going to send some of these comments to the corporate office, that's a bit different.

The one on the website is very interesting, especially since it's true.

Not only that, on two different tire brands and two (actually three) different sizes, Disc. with its "free shipping" is still more expensive than Tirerack including their shipping charges. Does that tell you something?

 

I've always bought my tires at Discount, no problem. They ALWAYS have to order the tire from their warehouse, but usually get it the same day.
As to refusing to repair old tires...it's called law suits. It's not worth it to them to repair something for free thats gonna come back and bite them. (think stupid old woman spilling McDonlds coffee on herself and then sueing)
They replaced one of mine that I some how ended up with a screw driver through the side wall while going through a intersection? I thought it was worth $25 considering it had nothing to do with the integrity of the tire.
I'm sure if the store manager is crap tho...the store will be too.

 

Will,

While CentralCoaster came off as harsh, you asked for opinions. Don't try and defend against them unless he is talking about your store and you as the mechanic. Again, YOU asked for opinions. I take exception with only one thing he said, and that is his first point. Why WOULD they mount and balance stuff you bought elsewhere for free? DT is not a charity.

Different stores have very different standards. I personally have had great experiences with two differents DT stores in the Atlanta area, and would not hesitate to buy from DT again. Yes, I found that the prices were higher than online, however I also got one store to beat the online price by a big margin.

 

They don't mount their own tires for free either. They just apply different price codes depending on where you got them.

Total mounting/balancing for (2) tires:
buying there = $23.50
buying off tire rack and bringing the wheels in loose off the car = $46

I know they don't include the cost in the tires because they'd have to charge more. I can understand no insurance or free coverage on your own tires. But charging more for the same work because you didn't give them a cut on parts cost? BS

Last time I called, he said it was a "special order" to get some Nittos they have listed in their inventory, and that I'd have to pay a deposit and pay something like $30 for shipping. I told him, why don't you just order from your own website "discounttiredirect.com" and shipping is free, and the tires cost less. One manager said no beans.... I went to another store and they did.

 

Here's a question. If you just splurged for a set of chrome 22s and tires for your truck, and put $2400 on your credit card, then you went to pick it up, would you expect the wheels to be clean or covered in oily fingerprints? Bringing in clean wheels shouldnt be any different. I clean them first because I like to inspect them before letting someone else touch em.



Does GM require this? The doors are a structural part of the car. The hood and hatch aren't. Either way I don't get it How does letting the chassis flex more help anything? I don't think the owners manual says anything of the sort, and I've jacked my vette at least 100 times.

 

I've had great experiences with the online store.

We don't have a discount here in my town. But every place I've ever used for mounting and balancing has done some shady stuff. For the past two years, I have always taken the wheels off my car and taken them with the tires to get mounted. One place even screwed that up and put the tires on backwards. Another place stole my chrome valve stem caps. About the only way to get anything done right anymore is to type it all up like a directions sheet and give that to them.

 

FWIW, I've always had very good experiences with DT and ATC. I first used them when I lived in Glendale, AZ, and now in CA as well. I bought 4 tires for my wife's Jetta (Mich Pilot Sport A/S) and the 4 I currently have on the Vette as well. All were done same-day, on a walk-in type basis. All tires were in-stock, and we were in and out in about an hour on both deals. Recently (i.e., last month) the front Michelins on the wife's car developed a noise @ 25mph that ended up being feathering. We had always done the recommended (free) rotations at Discount, though, and they were able to hook us up with a brand new set of Michelins for 50% off for our trouble.

What I *REALLY* like aboutt Discount Tire, and I guess the same could be said about Tire Rack (though I've never seen one in person), is that when I go in for tires, I come out with tires - not tires, and an "estimate" sheet for wheel bearings, U-joints, cooling system flush, new shocks, fuel filter, PCV valve, etc. Places that I'd visited in the past who did more than sell tires were always a NIGHTMARE to get out of when it was time to settle the bill. They always wanted to sell me more schit that I didn't need, and just got this blank look on their face when I told them, "No thanks - I'll do most of that myself when the time comes, but that time is certainly not today."

When I need tires, Discount has 'em. I feel the prices are fair, the service is quick and polite (even if I do have to clean my already-dirty wheels when I get home), and the warranty is good. What else could I ask for?

 

I've used DTC a couple of times...

On a normal passenger car you do okay as long as we are talking generic wheels and nothing fancy with no "special" order. I took my DD there for a new set of Michelins and it was about an hour and a half I had my car back and all was well.

On a Corvette you folks suck. I bought a brand new set of tires from you, brought them back 4 times because felt like they were not balanced properly (over 70 MPH I would get wheel shake). Finally I gave up and went to a local GM dealership and they got it right the first time. The owner at the local DTC "said" it was done right and not necessary to go to GM and would not make amends.

Like others have said, I clean the wheels and then drag the manager out to inspect them with me to make sure he sees the wheels are perfect...then you get this sloppy mess back and you can't see if you've damaged them. Last time I brought a rag and cleaner and cleaned them in the parking lot to inspect them.

BTW you said sometimes you are cranking to get the wheels out...I want a GOOD job not a FAST job!

 

Funny this post just came up.

I just got back from Discount Tire.

Overall I like them and have been using the same shop for a number of years now. I'm on my third set of tires from them on this particular Vette.

I've gotten pretty good service from them.

Fairly good pricing.

I like that they let you drive your car in and allow you to watch and ask questions.

Yesterday I had to go there first thing in the morning as I got a nail in my F1-D3. Problem was, which I didn't know at the time, it was the same tire that had already got a nail in and was repaired. The two damaged areas were too close to repair again.

They had to order a new replacement so to get me back on the road they took a new Kumho and put it on my right rear until this morning. They gave me a good price on the replacement, pro-rated and they also allowed me to order another rear to match it at the same pro-rated price. So for $340. I got to brand new D3's. I kept the left rear which only had about 8K on it. So now I have an extra spare rear should I ever need it.

They also road force balanced them.

Initially the manager wasn't being very responsive to me and the guy doing the balancing yesterday told me they don't spin the tire on the wheel to get a better balance then on the next tire the system indicated it needed spun. So I was a little PO'd that he contradicted himself.

I wrote a brief email to corporate, just asking why is it normal business practice not to get a receipt on the balancing (cost $90.). And about the balancing issue and why they didn't remove all weights and start fresh. They never answered me.

But when I got there afterwards the manager talked to me, he even got involved and did the work on my Vette himself with a helper. Some how corporate took my name off my email, researched it found out what store I went to and sent an email to the manager. (I never mentioned the store.) Anyway his attitude towards me was totally different today and I got really great service from them.

So from my experience they are really concerned about their service and what happens at their local outlets. That was pretty impressive.

Overall, I'll still remain their customer as they continued to earn my business.

 

I have to thank you.. that was the smartest thing ever said.

I AM one tire tech AT one store...that doesnt matter...the same things go on at the stores across the country..but if i make things better at my store then we can be the #1 store in the nation AGAIN..thats what im going for.

 

I ended up at your store in Tucson because Big O here in my small town screwed up the order,and did not keep their promise of next day. Your store had them in stock, kept the appointment time, the price was as quoated, and had a good service man do the job. I would go back again....

 

Interesting thread!

Kinda nice to see an employee that gives a schit.

He can't change the world but maybe the area he lives in.

Gary

 

I use discount tire center because of the general manager at the particular store that I go to.

He runs a very clean shop and does a great job of motivating the employees there to give 100% to customer care.

Because of this, I use DTC for our other cars as well.

Never had a problem, of course when I'm planning on going there I always call ahead give them my name and what I want. That way when I show up on Sat morning at 10AM I'm always out prior to noon