It could just have been bad luck, but not had an issue after changing them. ( Now I've said it )Yeah I told them I'll take my car elsewhere for tyres!
Interesting about potholes though - there's so many around where I live and I'm going to need a tyre that withstands them or withstands the evasive last second swerving to avoid them or the car I've just moved into the path of by trying to avoid the pothole!
Try Black Circles or Tyreshopper online, or Camskills if you can get them fitted.
Just avoid Bridgestones unless you like loud banging noises...