I like to shop local, but Dick's Tire has terrible customer service, extremely high prices (compared to competition that sells the same brand), and incorrectly diagnosed important issues that caused an accident.
First issue: I bought two batteries with a 6 year warranty here for my Deisel work truck, and put them on our account. Two years later the batteries go bad, and leave me stranded, no big deal as they have a warranty. Take them in, and one battery had a bad cell and the other wouldn't take a charge. They tell me that they can't warranty them without the original receipt. Even though I bought it there, on an account, they would not look in there computer to verify. I let them know that I'd have to drive well over an hour round trip to the truck and wasn't certain I had it. They stated that I was necessary to honor the warranty, even though they knew the batteries were bought at Dick's Tire. I drove to where the truck was broke down and couldn't find the receipt, drove back to Dicks, then was informed that they only needed a license plate number. I explained the situation again, the truck was stranded 45 min away, but they said there was nothing they could do, and I was running out of time to replace the batteries before everyone's closing time. I went to NAPA and bought new batteries.
Second issue: The front end of my truck started making a very bad clunking noise, I took it in twice and was told that there was nothing wrong. Later that week my upper ball joint came apart, lost control of steering and caused an accident. Called to tell them that I was having it towed to their shop, and that I just had it in for the issue. They stated that they were in no way responsible for the failure, which is fine, I just wanted it fixed. I told them what parts I thought would be needed, and replied that they had no idea how long it would take to get the parts needed, or if they could get to it soon. Had it towed to their competitor, and it was fixed and back on the road that day.
Third issue: My front brakes were making a metal to metal sound, so I took it to Dicks to have it diagnosed at 3:30 in the afternoon, I waited there until 6, closing time. Was told as they were locking up that I needed to come in earlier next time. Came back the next day, they looked at the brakes without taking the wheels off. Was told that they couldn't find anything, and to "turn up the radio if the noise bothered me". Took it to their competitors, who immediately found the issue and fixed it right then, in and out in 30 min. read more