Address Note: Boston Providence Tpk is also known as US Route 1. Direct Tire is located off the "jughandle" from Route 1 South exiting to Dean Street. Direct Tire is next to Advanced Auto Parts, which is across the jughandle from Walgreen's.
Direct Tire has three other locations, in Watertown, Natick, and Peabody. However, the Norwood location is the one I have used for over a decade.
All of Direct Tire's staff are extremely friendly, but (Mr) Lee Small, one of the managers, is the personification of functional customer service.
When I first encountered Mr Small, I thought he was taking "happy pills" or something. However, I came to find out that his cheerful demeanor is genuine and consistent.
Direct Tire has a very clean waiting area, with wi-fi access (I haven't partaken of that, so I can't comment on the quality). The waiting room has, for me, the appealing aroma of fresh rubber. This is a tire shop, after all. There are usually at least a dozen tires and wheels on display in the waiting area; that probably contributes to the smell.
Direct Tire offers discounts to AAA, WBUR, and WGBH members. WBUR and WGBH are the NPR affiliates for Greater Boston, by the way.
Direct Tire offers free rotation and balance every 6,000 miles and, for less than $25 per tire, offers a three-year, unlimited mileage "road hazard" warranty, covering puncture damage from potholes, nails, screws, and whatever other debris permeating New England's roads.
I don't think Direct Tire is the least expensive tire shop around, but value for money (IMHO) is unsurpassed.
Lee Small is just as chipper on the phone as he is in person. About 7-8 years ago, I ordered some new Pirelli tires for the car I owned at the time. These tires were not in stock, for which Mr Small apologized profusely. At the end of our call, he said, very cheerfully, "thank you for buying tires, from Direct Tire. We do appreciate your business!"
A+++ for Direct Tire!
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