Go to Wal-Mart, they can get your tires you want for a good price. Also, look in to BFG Land Terrains, they are a good tire. I was looking for a set of tires for my Jimmy that would wear well and do me some good in the mud and snow. I bought a set of Uniroyal Liberators on a whim, and they have been the best tires I have ever had, including my BFGs. They are a 60k mile tire, are tow rated, and have given me nothing but smiles when it comes to bad weather, snow, and mud. They were a wallet pounding 65 bucks a piece. I think installation, warranty, etc. was about 285 bucks total. That includes free flat fix and replacement for the life of the tire.
As for the Wal-Mart and Sam's horror stories, watch them put your tires on. The guys that did mine did a great job, possibly because I was standing there watching them. As for loose lug nuts, I don't care where you get your tires put on, if you don't check your own lug nuts after they are done, you are nuts.