best tire stores
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,804
Likes: 2,258
From: Brighton MI
Hard question to answer - it really depends more upon local management/ownership than anything else.
That said, I've always had pretty good service at Discount Tires stores.
Belle Tire (mostly in MI I think) - not so much.
That said, I've always had pretty good service at Discount Tires stores.
Belle Tire (mostly in MI I think) - not so much.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Brisbane Queensland
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Locally, our Ford dealership is the best I've found. They will price match Internet sources and they do a good job mounting and balancing the tires.
Other than them, I've bought my tires from Discount Tire Direct (on-line), had them shipped to me and then taken them to a local shop for the install.
Other than them, I've bought my tires from Discount Tire Direct (on-line), had them shipped to me and then taken them to a local shop for the install.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
I will NEVER, EVER set foot in another one of their stores after my last experience.
I bought a set of Nitto 555's for my '03 Cobra. Had the local store, which I have dealt with for over a decade, install them. Post-install, they lowered my car without taking a piece of equipment out from under the rack. The tech saw it hit, raised the car up, pulled out the obstacle, and then lowered the car. I watched this happen from inside the store but figured it wasn't much of an impact.
Boy was I wrong. On the way home, the car started making an absolutely awful noise....much like a thrown rod would make. I pulled over, tried to trace the source of the problem. Long story short, they smashed both of my catalytic converters.
Called up the store manager, went back and forth with their corporate office, and in the end they refused to acknowledge it was their fault whatsoever. So I ate the price of replacement cats ($800 installed) which cost more than my whole freaking set of tires.
I will NOT be back to any of their stores, or recommend them to anyone ever again. True, it's one bad experience out of a dozen, but it was an expensive experience that they were totally negligent for and refused to do the right thing. I even offered to go half with them just to try and get some help but nope....nothing.
So for me, NTB will be my go-to place...if not the dealership.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Tire Rack - some time back bought a full set, had the local Chevy dealer install them. Then recently, bought a set of PS2's - 18/19's pre-mounted on new wheels with new TPMS sensors installed. Great prices, and fast service. I've used them for my wife's car also. Otherwise, I use Costco. Again good prices and a no hassle experience. A buddy got a great price on tires for his C5 there - you will need to pre-order most likely though.
Last edited by jackthelad; Aug 6, 2014 at 10:18 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,804
Likes: 2,258
From: Brighton MI
I have used Discount Tire for all of my tire needs....UNTIL THIS YEAR.
I will NEVER, EVER set foot in another one of their stores after my last experience.
I bought a set of Nitto 555's for my '03 Cobra. Had the local store, which I have dealt with for over a decade, install them. Post-install, they lowered my car without taking a piece of equipment out from under the rack. The tech saw it hit, raised the car up, pulled out the obstacle, and then lowered the car. I watched this happen from inside the store but figured it wasn't much of an impact.
Boy was I wrong. On the way home, the car started making an absolutely awful noise....much like a thrown rod would make. I pulled over, tried to trace the source of the problem. Long story short, they smashed both of my catalytic converters.
Called up the store manager, went back and forth with their corporate office, and in the end they refused to acknowledge it was their fault whatsoever. So I ate the price of replacement cats ($800 installed) which cost more than my whole freaking set of tires.
I will NOT be back to any of their stores, or recommend them to anyone ever again. True, it's one bad experience out of a dozen, but it was an expensive experience that they were totally negligent for and refused to do the right thing. I even offered to go half with them just to try and get some help but nope....nothing.
So for me, NTB will be my go-to place...if not the dealership.
I will NEVER, EVER set foot in another one of their stores after my last experience.
I bought a set of Nitto 555's for my '03 Cobra. Had the local store, which I have dealt with for over a decade, install them. Post-install, they lowered my car without taking a piece of equipment out from under the rack. The tech saw it hit, raised the car up, pulled out the obstacle, and then lowered the car. I watched this happen from inside the store but figured it wasn't much of an impact.
Boy was I wrong. On the way home, the car started making an absolutely awful noise....much like a thrown rod would make. I pulled over, tried to trace the source of the problem. Long story short, they smashed both of my catalytic converters.
Called up the store manager, went back and forth with their corporate office, and in the end they refused to acknowledge it was their fault whatsoever. So I ate the price of replacement cats ($800 installed) which cost more than my whole freaking set of tires.
I will NOT be back to any of their stores, or recommend them to anyone ever again. True, it's one bad experience out of a dozen, but it was an expensive experience that they were totally negligent for and refused to do the right thing. I even offered to go half with them just to try and get some help but nope....nothing.
So for me, NTB will be my go-to place...if not the dealership.
I had a similar experience with Belle Tire in White Lake, MI. They broke a wheel (Corvette wheel) and ruined a tire (Michelin Corvette tire, different wheel) and then completely disavowed any responsibility. A real disaster.
Years ago, my wife had a flat tire on her then-new Aurora. Belle Tire told her it couldn't be fixed - she needed to buy a new tire. Took it down the road to an independent tire store that fixed it for $12.
But...like I said...it comes down to local management/ownership. Some stores are run by good, honest people...and, as we both have learned, some are not...
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Fresno CA
I've been using Les Schwab Tire Center for my purchases over the past 13 years. I started buying from them when I worked for them 13 years ago and I have been at my current job for 8 years, not them. I still continue to buy from there to this day.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
Costco
I agree with costco they have top notch equipment, And a source to redeem the warranty. that is an issue with internet purchases. My Michelin run flats bought and installed by them and a good price.
