Ever stumbled on a financial hack so simple it feels like cheating? A woman on TikTok, going by the handle Pie & Prayer, has sparked a viral conversation by claiming she saved over $100 on tire installation fees at Discount Tire just by flashing her Costco membership card.
According to the Daily Mail, this story reveals a potential discount strategy at one of the largest tire retailers in the U.S., where mentioning a Costco membership reportedly led to a waived installation fee.
Pie & Prayer’s discovery started when she overheard a Discount Tire employee offer a deal to another couple. The employee noted they’d match Costco’s policy of waiving installation fees to keep the couple’s business.
Inspired by what she heard, Pie & Prayer decided to test the tactic herself. At the counter, she mentioned her Costco card and, after showing it, the worker waived her installation fee too.
While Discount Tire hasn’t officially confirmed its typical installation costs, online discussions on platforms like Reddit suggest fees often exceed $100. That’s a hefty chunk of change for a service that could potentially be free with the right approach.
Discount Tire, the biggest independent tire and wheel retailer in the U.S., operates over 1,200 locations across 37 states. They carry more than 60 tire brands for everything from cars to ATVs, making them a go-to for many drivers.
Costco memberships start at $65 annually and come with perks beyond tire services, like access to gas stations with recently extended hours. Nearly all their stores have tire centers for installation and maintenance, though they only service tires bought at Costco and can’t handle every vehicle type.
Compare that to Discount Tire, where Reddit users often praise shorter wait times and better service. One user raved about a tire swap done in just 15-20 minutes, a stark contrast to long waits at Costco warehouses.
Another driver vented frustration with Costco’s tire centers, calling them a “total waste of time” compared to Discount Tire’s efficiency. Not everyone sees Costco as the ultimate deal.
For Costco members, options extend beyond their warehouses—Walmart auto care centers also offer tire installation, battery testing, and oil changes. Meanwhile, Sam’s Club provides tire and repair services with 24-hour roadside assistance, alongside upcoming price hikes and new AI-powered checkout tech.
Sam’s Club memberships are available both online and in-store, sometimes at discounted rates for a limited time. It’s another avenue for frugal shoppers to explore.
Other chains like Advance Auto have earned positive feedback for auto services, though they’re currently closing over 700 locations. That shrinkage might limit options for some drivers seeking alternatives.
For now, DailyMail.com has reached out to Discount Tire for clarity on this potential discount policy. Until there’s an official word, this hack remains a word-of-mouth tip worth testing if you’re in the market for tires.
Here’s the takeaway for wealth-builders: small savings like a waived $100 fee add up over time, especially when paired with a strategic mindset. Whether it’s leveraging a Costco membership or shopping around at Discount Tire, Sam’s Club, or Walmart, your dollars deserve to stretch further. Why not test this trick yourself and see if it works at your local retailer?