Posted on 01/04/2018 5:27:48 PM PST by Elderberry
Bruce T. Halle, who founded Discount Tire in Michigan with an inventory of only six tires in 1960 and grew the company into the largest independent tire dealer in North America, died Thursday. He was 87.
Officials at the company headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, said Halle died in his sleep but didn't immediately release the cause of death.
"I speak on behalf of all who knew Bruce in that he will be dearly missed," Discount Tire's CEO Michael Zuieback said in a statement.
Halle was Discount Tire's chairman of the board and was ranked by Forbes magazine as the richest person in Arizona with a net worth of more than $5 billion.
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Halle started his first tire store in Ann Arbor, Michigan, four years after he graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in business administration.
He started the business as a way to support his wife and three young children and chose the name because it implied customers could get a deal on a tire.
Halle rented an old plumbing supply building, built countertops, repainted the sign outside and was the store's only employee — serving as the tire technician, cleaning crew, salesman and accountant.
It was three days before Halle had his first customer and a week before he made a sale. His original inventory consisted of two new tires and four retreads.
(Excerpt) Read more at wacotrib.com ...
And he did that to "support his wife and kids." I can just hear his wife 57 years ago..."Are you nuts? How are we going to eat? That's the stupidest thing you've ever done! Why can't you go get a JOB like normal husbands do? Give my Dad a call...he'll find you something. He always needs another accountant."
RIP.
What a story! I love it when people make it. My dealings with Discount Tires have always been mutually beneficial.
I’ve used Discount Tires for a long time now. Always got excellent service. RIP.
I love his company. Always keep in mind when you’re traveling across the country that Discount Tires stores fix flats for free! That has come in handy twice in just the last 6 months!
https://www.discounttire.com/services/flat-repair
A few months later, back in Connecticut, I ran over a piece of metal on the road and blew out one of my new tires. I called Discount Tire to see if that was covered under warranty and it was. Since there were no Discount Tire stores in my area, they asked me where they could ship the new tire and they ended up shipping a full new tire to my dealership at no charge.
So pretty amazing experience all around.
Quite a story and I’m glad to read about the FReepers who got excellent service. It shows that a person doesn’t have to be a ripoff artist to succeed.
Never had a bad experience over 25 years at Discount Tire in two different states. In fact, I travel over 30 miles one way to get my tires serviced at the closest store to me. Their managers and workers are efficient, friendly, and professional.
I had a similar experience to yours. I was stunned when they fixed the flat for free and while I waited for them to get to my car they handled three or four other flats for customers as well. When I bought tires there I told them that their incredible customer service was one of the reasons why I went to their store. Who knows how many customers are brought in that way? I bet it’s quite a few!
What Bruce T. Halle taught me is that any business with the word “Discount” in its name will mean that you’ll pay full-price retail and more.
Thank you, Bruce T. Halle.
He was very successful....
I've bought tires from a Discount tire place...
Never had a problem...
We bought a set of tires from Discount today.
I never felt that way....and shopped around. They were usually cheaper...for the same tire elsewhere.
Wives are all the same! It’s a wonder anything gets done or invented or started.
Had no idea of those humble beginnings; Discount has been my favorite tire store for many years.
Now it’s:
You be cra-cra???
We be loosin’ ar sec 8, we be loosin’ ar WIC, we be loosin’ ar obamacare, we be loosin’ our...
He was smart. They do tires. You are not getting your oil changed there.
Go to Firestone or Goodyear unannounced and prepare for a 5 hour wait. Plus DT will honor any advertised price.
My daughter worked for him at his headquarters in Scottsdale as a nurse case specialist and said he was by far one of the nicest, sweetest people she has ever met. A great loss.
“And he did that to “support his wife and kids.” I can just hear his wife 57 years ago...”Are you nuts? How are we going to eat? That’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done! Why can’t you go get a JOB like normal husbands do? Give my Dad a call...he’ll find you something. He always needs another accountant.”
Behind every successful man there’s a women telling him it can’t be done.
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