Discount Tire News, Dunn Tire acquisition, new services.

Sayjac

Sayjac

Joined
Oct 13, 2008
Messages
17,189
Location
The Old North State
Took one of my vehicles for tire rotation and balance and got talking to manager of new store, known him for many years. Mentioned to him about a couple new AT stores in Pa., of which he was unaware. He proceeded to tell me DT/AT had acquired Dunn Tire full-service auto shops. Looks like it happened 10/2023. Dunn footprint seems to be western/central NY, Erie County Pa. He also mentioned that some stores in Charlotte and Raleigh have added alignment service. I confirmed alignment now offered on the Charlotte store site he mentioned. Some folks have expressed an interest in alignments being offered. Apparently, they are giving it a go at limited store locations.
 
Are they going to be using the Hunter or Autel alignment machines? From what I've read those get mentioned alot.
 
The local store that I go to has had an alignment rack for I'd guess close to a year. It's a pure Discount Tire store, not a re-branded Dunn or any other that DT may have bought in years past.

Their website, with my location already cross-referenced, does say "NEW! Alignment services, call for details..." but that could have been there for a while. They might not have been promoting it too heavily while they get people trained too. I can't schedule an appointment online and select an alignment yet. Most places that do alignments also do suspension repairs when things are out of spec, but I don't know what DT will do. Maybe they have a nearby shop they "recommend".
 
GMBoy said:
The one thing I like about Discount Tire is that they do JUST tires - no mechanical work so no upsells.
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I noticed they recently started heavily pushing wiper blades. Last time I had a rotation, the guy told me I needed new blades "because your wipers are severely dry rotted..." A few days before I had installed new OEM rubber refills. Of course they looked brand new so he could not have even looked at them.
 
ozric said:
I noticed they recently started heavily pushing wiper blades. Last time I had a rotation, the guy told me I needed new blades "because your wipers are severely dry rotted..." A few days before I had installed new OEM rubber refills. Of course they looked brand new so he could not have even looked at them.
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Same here in Colorado ... I replaced my blades a few months prior to my visit and they were pushing new blades "due to streaking" when I got my tires rotated.
 
GMBoy said:
The one thing I like about Discount Tire is that they do JUST tires - no mechanical work so no upsells. I hope they don't become like a Firestone with their shady practices!
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I too always like that they just did dedicated tire sales and service. Told the manager that and he agreed. I didn't get the impression that alignments will be available at all stores, price seems comparatively reasonable though. Guess time will tell how it shakes out. I highly doubt that current DT/AT stores will ever be like Firestone though, with other services beyond tire related.

As for the wipers, yeah they've asked me about them and I just politely say, "no thanks." Then I added, "I prefer to use OEM refills", that shuts it down. I wasn't put off by the try though. I look at it as giving it a shot. I was in and out in 30 minutes, and the manager worked on it along with another installer. And as usual, no problem with me checking my brake pads thickness.

I think the purchase of Dunn just a way for them to get another foot into the tough NE-ish region. That, beyond the two new AT stores in Scranton/WB area.
 
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ctrcbob said:
Being originally from the Rochester NY area, Dunn Tire was the best. My “go to” shop. Whenever I visit Rochester, I still used Dunn Tire (Henrietta location.) Also, Road Force Balance always reasonable.
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Before I posted the thread I went to the Dunn Tire website to find out more about them. I paid particularly attention to tire sales. After reading their tire sales practices, I could see how they would be a good fit with DT/AT. Seems like a class outfit.
 
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A couple of tricks you should know about Discount Tire.

1) They will price match Rockauto... on wipers.

I have replaced three wipers on some of our dealership vehicles for less than $15. Just show them the cheapest wiper with delivery charges added (and the 5% off Rockauto code available at the Rebates & Promotions forum at BITOG) and you can get them cheaper than at Walmart with free installation.

2) They will price match everything with tires...and not just the tires.

TPM sensors. Installation costs from other competitors (including Walmart). I still pay $30 for a TPM sensor and $10 per tire installation. Once they price match you can go back in the future, tell them that they charged X for that service and they usually honor it.
 
I hate discount tire. Among the many reasons the latest example. A few weeks ago my friend had a flat tire and her tires were last messed with by discount. Some of the lugs came loose with 2 pops, some took several seconds of uga dugas from my battery powered impact. One lug nut wouldn't break loose at all. I even torqued the other 5 lugs to 100ft.lb and that one still wouldn't break loose.
Had to go get my 3/4 impact, the gx200 powered air compressor, 3/8 inch ID air line and I had to go buy a 3/4 drive 3/4 inch socket because I don't have anything that small in 3/4 drive. Normally the 3/4 impact only comes out when it's time to break stuff that's like a 1/2 or 5/8 threaded thing. I don't let tire shops touch my vehicles at all. I only bring them the tires and wheels only.
 
macarose said:
1) They will price match Rockauto... on wipers.

I have replaced three wipers on some of our dealership vehicles for less than $15. Just show them the cheapest wiper with delivery charges added (and the 5% off Rockauto code available at the Rebates & Promotions forum at BITOG) and you can get them cheaper than at Walmart with free installation......
Click to expand...
That sounds pretty darn good. The counter guy who checked vehicle odo mentioned to me they don't charge for wiper installation. I still had no interest, but clearly for some, it could work out. Fwiw, over many years I've price matched many tire purchases and gotten generous(imo) pro rated prices on new tires for those not reaching treawear warranty.
 
I have purchased tires from Dunn tire on many occasions here in my town since the early 80’s.
They have several stores in the area. They’ve been around here in my area .since the early 80s that I am aware of. I’ve also had Dunn install tires that I purchased online from Discount Tire Direct and The Tire Rack. However I do not use them exclusively
 
Dunn tire has been popular in the Buffalo NY area for probably 40yrs. I've used them a bunch over the years. I had no idea about the DT thing! You can order your tires online with Dunn and setup your appt. to have them installed.

A few years back I had them put a set of tires on my 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. They quoted me rear pads and rotors while I was there for something like $270 which was quite the deal for what it was. I declined and did them myself.
 
Hall said:
They might not have been promoting it too heavily while they get people trained
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And let's hope they do that well.

My favorite tire store, a crackerjack stand-alone, sold out to another local businessman who decided to hire nothing but airheads who will not put their cell phones down.
Truly stupid children who couldn't match lifting point to jack pad. I heard 3 cars pop and shift while jacking.
The new owner cried to me about buying the business.

I'll find an excuse to go to one of these newly equipped shops.
 
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