This is the same post I put in the regional forum where I also discussed this, but thought you guys would be interested:

Well, it looks like I arrived at a resolution for me wheel dilemma you guys may recall from a page or two back in the thread. The resolution is that I got screwed. The shop acknowledges they screwed up the wheels, but won't either refund my money for the work or pay to have them fixed. The argument is essentially that they were careful and the damage was bound to occur, despite the 10-12 chunks out of the lug nut area that proves they weren't careful at all. I could at least understand the hub damage based upon how the machines work, but there's no excuse for the lug damage. Instead, it's now the wheel's fault, despite the dozens of guys here with the same wheels without issue.

This was a complete reversal from the discussion I had with them last week, where it sounded like they would do the right thing and repair them. As it turns out, they found out they were going to be expensive to fix so decided not to. They offered to touch them up, but when I asked if they'd try to color match the paint they said they didn't know. So it sounds like they'd just use whatever paint was lying around.

In any case, the assertion was that no shop in the country will pay to repair or refinish wheels they damage. I won't put it in quotes since I don't recall the exact wording, but that's pretty close.



So now I'm trying to figure out my next move, if any.

 

That fricken sucks dude. Honestly I would take them to small claims court if I were you.

A lesson for anybody else getting their rims mounted, I got the shop that mounted my SA-55M to sign a paper saying that they inspected the wheels before mounting and were flawless and any damage after mounting was 100% their fault and they were responsible to professionally repair or replace them.

 

If you have had a set of SA55Ms installed without damage, and would be willing to sign your name on a statement to that effect, please give me a PM.

I think I'll need them if I do end up in court ...

 

You may need pics as well from each person willing to do so.

Come on fellas, anyone with these wheels, let's do this to help out a fellow member.

 

i wish i could but mine are destoyed way worse than his. i have a body shop touching mine up on my nickel.

 

Any of the vendors for the Wed wheels have anything to say about possible thin paint?

 

I think it is all down to technique with mounting. I have quite possibly the worst tire mounting job ever done on the east coast.

The paint is thin and can you imagine what a few rocks hitting them will do? This is why I see powdercoating in the very near future. I also think the machined parts may be able to be retained if done right.....who knows for sure.

 

Just sucks since I had some wheels before that cost less than half that price and never had issues through two sets of tires and also individual tire problems.

 

I e-mailed weds and told them about rock chips after a few weeks owning this wheels.

They called me within 24hrs and I am bringing my wheels to them and they will look at it.

Ill keep you guys posted.


Sad to say I had my Rota grids for almost a year, no problems or chips at all.

 

i was really looking into getting these wheels next spring, but now I'm afraid to spend the money. Is there anything we can do to help protect them before install? For example have the clear coated?

 

I have some of those corner chips on my wheels but those are my own fault. I don't see that big of a deal since it's bound to happen either by a rock or installation. Seeing that the color on my rims are the matte gray and the chip exposed a shiny silver surface, it totally blends in.

 

If i had some SA55M's installed i'd be totally down to help you; although i doubt that would be necessary. I didn't major in law but a lot of my friends in school did go to law school. All that really needs to be proved is not the fact that it hasn't happened to other wheels. You actually don't want to proceed with that angle becuase you figure, if you can conjure pictures without damages; them being a wheel company, I'm sure they can find multiple pictures with damages (from a friend or sisters shop of course).

I'd write them a formal letter of intent stating that they need to resolve this issue to your terms and likings and if not, you have all intentions to take them to court.

When taking them to court i'd take the angle of negligence and that damage like this is not characteristic of an installation but rather the shops mistake and mal care of the wheel. Take lots of pictures, and of course use the worst looking ones in court. Cross your fingers and hope the judge see's what your saying as being a negligent installation job.

More times than non, after receiving the letter they'll likely settle. It takes time and money to go to court; they'll pay especially if they feel they have a >50% chance of losing.

just my 2 cents.

 

I thought about doing some of these things. Supposedly you can get a lawyer to write a letter to that effect pretty cheap, and then use small claims later if nothing happens.

Negligence probably wouldn't be too difficult to prove. As if the dozen or so lug nut chunks weren't enough, my new TPMS sensors are going off (failed reprogramming? Not sure, but they said they could handle them.), and they aligned the car to the specs for an Evo IX.

 

IMO the easiest way to get stuff like this resolved with a tire shop especially, is to show up with a sandwich board and a sign on the weekend and picket in front of their shop. When customers come in call them over, show them pictures and tell them the shop refused to fix or replace the wheel.

Tires Plus chewed a giant gouge all the way around the lip of my friends stock VW wheels and the manager told him to go eff his mother when he asked him to replace it. He started picketing the shop that Saturday morning and got a call from the southeastern director of Tires Plus within 3 hours of starting his picket and the shop manager ended up having to apologize and buy him a brand new set of wheels from the dealership.

Just make sure you are on public property when you do it.

 

I have the same damage on my wheels on my new BBM's. its happens when you balance the rim and it slides on that thing with the grooves in it.

BBM is very very close to that honda civic hatch back purple which i just used to touch up paint it.

But i do agree, the paint on the sa55m is very thin.