MD
Matthew Dube
Sep 24, 2025
I had a deeply frustrating experience at Sullivan Tire in Derry, NH, when I took my Tesla Model Y in to replace the two front tires (21-inch wheels). Earlier this year, they successfully replaced my rear tires (also 21-inch, though slightly taller), so I trusted them to handle this job. I scheduled an appointment, and they ordered the tires in advance. Everything seemed set. Also, I have been going to Sullivan for over 20 years, so this shop is not new to me.
After handing over my car, I waited 45 minutes only to be told that their tire machine couldn’t fit my front rims due to size limitations. This was baffling, given they had no issue with the rear 21-inch wheels months prior. With ten’s of thousands of Tesla Model Ys on the road, how could Sullivan Tire’s online booking system schedule a service for Michelin tires they sell, yet fail to flag that their equipment cannot mount or dismount the 21-inch front rims?
Ten minutes later, they returned my car with an apology, and the manager, who has always been polite, sent me on my way.
However, when I inspected my car before leaving, I noticed something infuriating: one of my front wheels, which was pristine with no scratches or curb rash before the visit, now had fresh gouges and damage to the black paint. I immediately brought this to the manager’s attention, pointing out the contradiction—how could their machine not fit the rim if they clearly attempted to remove it and caused this damage? The lack of transparency is what stings most. Instead of owning up to the mistake and admitting their technician tried and failed, potentially damaging my wheel in the process, they tried to brush it under the rug, hoping I wouldn’t notice. The manager took photos and promised their wheel repair service would fix the rim, but this doesn’t erase the inconvenience. I left with no new tires and a damaged wheel, meaning I’ll have to return to deal with their mistake. This isn’t just about the damage—it’s about trust. If they had been upfront, saying, “We tried, messed up, and will make it right,” I’d feel differently. Instead, their attempt to hide the issue shattered any confidence I had in their service.
Do yourself a favor and take your car elsewhere. Trust is earned, not given, and Sullivan Tire in Derry has lost mine completely.