Discount Tire — Local services in Suffolk

The name "Discount Tire" implies some math, so let's do some. How much of a discount do they really offer compared to other local competitors?

Here's how to math worked out for me: Take the quote you get from them, multiply it by two (factors in repair cost for damage caused), add in time, effort, and the stress of having no idea what is wrong with the vehicle you paid the money to have maintained at an otherwise reputable site, then subtract a consolation prize of repair costs only after having to learn how to file a lawsuit in small claims court in the state of VA, and explicitly state to the claims department that you're filing.

Here's my story:

On January 13, 2025, I brought my vehicle to Discount Tire located at 6204 College Dr, Suffolk, VA 23435, where all four tires were replaced. Following this service, no other maintenance or work was performed on the wheels by any party. Within less than 2,000 miles, on the evening of Friday, March 8, 2025, my wife noticed a distinct noise and vibrations from the vehicle, particularly when driving above 40 MPH, with the intensity increasing at higher speeds. I took the car to a mechanic as soon as possible. The mechanic discovered that all bolts, including the locking lug nut, on the front driver-side wheel were loose, indicating they had not been tightened to proper torque specifications during the tire replacement at Discount Tire, suggesting that them being hand tightened at time of replacement was the most likely cause. The looseness had caused damage to the wheel studs and bearing, necessitating their replacement to ensure failure would not soon occur, and that the vehicle was safe to operate.

After all that their claims department decided that, since my vehicle had traveled 1,800 miles, and not 1,000 miles since the maintenance, it was not their fault. Their basis for the assertion that it's not their fault is based on the fact the receipt for the work says it was torqued down properly before leaving the shop, and that there's somehow an immutable 1,000 mile rule on all maintenance preformed on a vehicle that the universe follows 100% of the time. I work in QA with my job. Often times there's a worker, and an individual second checking the work/signing off on the work as they go, verifying the work was completed correctly. If all that was needed to certify a job was done correctly was one worker signing that he himself had done it right, there'd be no point to QA. Point being: what's written on paper means little to me without supporting facts.

After a few months back and forth with the claims department, it took me explicitly stating that I'd take it to small claims court for them to cover the repair fees. (Though they maintained that it was not their fault, and accepted no liability for it)

During these e-mails with their senior claims manager, Sam Mitchell, handled the situation poorly, and misquoted my mechanic, stating that he said things completely contrary to what I have in writing from him. I understand that they have a job to do, and that job entails ensuring their company forks over as little money as possible to customers, but talking to this guy was like talking to a mechanically illiterate brick wall. He couldn't understand the concept that I was trying to relay. Overall dis-satisfied.

Maybe buying tires at a discount is a good idea, but now I know there's no such thing as discounted work. You'll pay for it one way or another.

This is just one guy's story, and in no way meant to smear the name of the higher up staff at the location, or even really the mechanic there. I understand that people make mistakes. This is just meant to be a precautionary tale for other people to read, and decide for themselves if they believe this store location will be right for...

I have been here several times and cannot recall a negative experience. I have dealt with multiple locations but this is the one closest to me and I have consistently received great service here. I always research and compare for my tire purchases, and it always involves looking at Discount Tire's site alongside Tire Rack's site. Discount Tire usually gets the edge because of the add-on option for protecting your tires in case of a flat (or worse if it needs to be replaced), while also having free tire rotations and balancing for the life of the tire included as part of the purchase.

For my most recent tire purchase, I received a call the day after completing my online purchase. It was a Discount Tire rep letting me know when he expected the tires to come in. The tires were different sizes for front and rear. They had one set of 2 in stock at the store, while the other had to come from NC. He provided a contingency plan if the tires being shipped did not arrive in time. Once the tires arrived, I received another call letting me know everything was good.

For my appointment, I arrived and a rep actually met me outside to check me in before I even had a chance to walk in. Others were waiting or had possibly walked in for service. Since I had a scheduled appointment I had made online, my vehicle was pulled right in for the tire replacement to get started. I had brought my laptop with me in case I was going to be waiting a while. It could not have been more than 15 or 20 minutes before Kyle came and told me that my vehicle was almost finished. This was easily the fastest appointment I've had at Discount Tire. I STRONGLY recommend making an appointment whenever possible if you need service. I know everyone isn't able to do that, especially when unfortunate surprises happen. However, if it is something you can plan ahead for then I suggest scheduling online.

This location has my strongest recommendation. Overall, Discount Tire has been great in...

If I could rank Discount Tires with a ZERO I certainly would. My son and I went in 2 weeks ago and received great service from a guy at the counter and we ordered 4 new wheels for his 2022 Durango. They arrived as anticipated and he made an appointment to have them placed on his vehicle. Upon arriving for his appointment the manager told him that he also needed new tires, which he knew to be inaccurate and told them to just put the wheels on and he would consider it at another time. The manager left and then returned stating that they would not place his current tires on his new wheels because the tread was so warn and again that he needed 4 new tires. He loaded up his new wheels into his vehicle and drove to the Dodge dealership where they evaluated his tires, found them to be in excellent condition and placed them on his new wheels. We have all of this well documented and I am going to make it a point to tell everyone that I know how you operate! How many times have you scammed people into purchasing something that they did not need? We work for our hard earned money and you make yours by lying and cheating the people that walk through your door. You even took my son out to his vehicle and tried to convince him his tires needed to be replaced but he recognized your obvious lies and knew more than you gave hime credit for, your profile for someone that you could scam failed you this time! You should be ashamed of yourselves for lowering your moral values to lying and cheating to make a few...