It’s been about fifty-three years since Discount Tire first started operating in America. Since then, they’ve opened more than 1,000 stores across thirty-five states. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best tire retailers in the US.
In fact, many people don’t think so. More customers have given them one-star reviews than four and five-stars. A large portion of their customers are dissatisfied with their customer service, yet almost every car owner has considered Discount Tire financing at one point or another.
If Discount Tire has such poor customer service, it makes you wonder why people even consider their financing program rather than seek out alternatives such as Cheap Tires ASAP, the fastest-growing and highest-rated tire dealer online.
Why Is Discount Tire So Popular?
Apart from being the largest independent retailer of tires in America, everyone knows Discount Tire. Fun fact: they hold a Guinness World Record for the longest-running television commercial.
It was an ad featuring a woman throwing out a tire because she was dissatisfied. Following this scene, a message plays on the screen: If ever you’re not satisfied with one of our tires, please feel free to bring it back. Thank you, Discount Tire Company.
This ad ran for over forty years. Along with other marketing efforts, it focused on permanently embedding the company name in their target audience’s mind. Everyone interested in getting car tire financing knows about Discount Tire.
The company also introduced and promoted a convenient online shopping experience, COVID-friendly car appointments, and easy payment plans.
Discount Tire Credit Card
Discount Tire credit cards are a popular part of their marketing and sales efforts. By using this card, you can buy any tires you want and avoid interest if you pay back the entire amount on a six, nine, or twelve-month plan. There are no rewards or bonus points for credit-based purchases, but there’s no annual fee either.
What made the Discount Tire credit card so popular is the fact that even people with poor credit can apply and get approved, making it one of the easiest tire credit cards to get. They do require a minimum stable balance in your bank account, so they can automatically deduct monthly payments when they are due.
Unfortunately, many people regret their decision to purchase tires with this card because:
- The annual percentage rate for a Discount Tire credit card is currently 26.99%. This is much higher than most credit cards, which are usually around 15% to 17%.
- Poor customer service
- No signup bonus, rewards, or cash back
- There’s a high returned payment fee and a late payment fee of about $35 each.
When Is Discount Tire Financing Good?
Discount Tire financing is a good option if the following conditions are true:
- You have a poor credit score.
- You need to install premium quality tires immediately but do not have sufficient funds at the moment.
It might also be a good option for you if you want to try and test the hype around Discount Tire. If you’re looking for a more reliable tire financing solution—an option with no major downside—we are here to tell you about it.
A Reliable Discount Tire Alternative
Cheap Tires ASAP offers lower rates for all types of tires–you can opt for flexible installment plans with minimal interest and average APR rates. The best part is that we deliver the purchased tires to your doorstep or to your mechanic within one to three days. For high-quality, inexpensive tires you can buy on an installment plan, Cheap Tires ASAP is clearly the way to go.
For more helpful tire financing information, check out our blog post on whether Best One Tire offers financing!