Weird noises with Bridgestone Ecopia EP422+

I got 4 new Bridgestone Ecopia ep422 plus tires for my 2012 Prius C at a little less than 100,000km. The first day was fine (maybe) and they put my wheel cover back on. Then I started to hear this squeaky noise when the front two tires rotates, even at very low speed. I thought the tires are rubbing the wheel cover, but the shop said that's not possible. They lift it up and the manager said the tires are defective and the EP422 plus are crappy tires. They refuse to replace it since the replacement tires would just be as bad. I ended up getting the Michelin Energy Savers for a little more. They did let me keep the EP422+ since they said they were going to throw them out anyway.

I find that a little hard to believe since my stock tires are also bridgestone and I never had a problem with them. Also, it's weird that I would hit two bad tires. Are these tires defective or they just didn't install them correctly?

 

Great, 3 of the new Michelin tires also squeaks, although it's a more continuous sound than the EP422+.

 

Costco. I never had any noises with the old tires though. I will remove the wheel cover tomorrow and see whether it helps.