Wheel Refurb Gone Wrong

C

chrissrush

Member
A week ago I took a single alloy wheel into a local refurbisher.

The person I spoke to had very poor English (which becomes relevant later) I explained what I wanted, and we agreed the price, and, when I’d return to pick up the wheel.

I went to pay and collect it on Saturday morning, as they brought it out I immediately spotted that not only was my almost new Goodyear tyre no longer fitted to the wheel (some very worn dodgy brand was fitted) but they’d not finished it as I’d requested, i.e. it should have been diamond cut exposing the metal of the rim with only the centre powder coated.

Not only that but there were, what I can only describe as a couple of blob,s in the finish leaving IMHO a sub-standard finish let alone the other issues.

The owner was then called in who explained that they don’t do diamond cut and that this was explained to me. Clearly it wasn’t made clear to me as why would I want one wheel finished completely differently from the rest of the set but hey…

I had a lot to do Saturday morning so did not want to get into a big argument with the eastern European owner there and then but agreed to provide him with the correct tyre type for him to replace, and, to give myself time to consider what to do and understand my position.
 
How much did you pay? There seem to be two categories of wheel refurb place (same as any kind of business, I guess) - cheap and cheerful @ ~£75/corner, who do lots of boring wheels for people who just want an OK job; and premium @ ~£100/corner, who will nail the same, perfect finish every time and do a few more options like diamond polished or hyper-finishes.
 
very few places do diamond cut, and when they do it costs a fortune.

The expensive refurb place here costs nearly 450-500 a set...not diamond cut, http://nulukwheels.co.uk/
The cheap and cheerful one here about £50 a corner and is excellent http://polishedalloys.co.uk/servicesandpricing/

you get what you pay for generally in certain areas for cars (dent repair/resprays and wheels being the big ones)
 
Since they don't do diamond cut then there is no way they are going to be able to do the refurb as you need it done, so extricating yourself with wheel and tyre and nothing to pay seems the only/est solution to me.

As language was and is a challenge and presume you did not take in the car to clearly show exactly what it should look like compared o the others, then your position is difficult as the will argue you got what you asked for.

I would request your original tyre is put back on. If lost then replaced with a new one of the same make and type and you leave at that.

Anything less is a negotiated compromise you may have to make (part or paying for the refurb, loss of the tyre, etc.), or if minded fight them for it. Of course you'll be a wheel down until resolved as I'm sure they won't release it without settlement...

Good luck and go to a proper place next time that looks at the existing wheels, shows samples of work and is of a known quality.
 
That sounds like a right nightmare of a situation.

I hope it gets sorted out and your not out of pocket.

The lathes they use for diamond cutting (and its just the cutting tip that has the industrial diamond) Are probably north of 50k-70k so your small wheel refurb place down the road is unlikely to have one. You will find most of these finishes are sent out to be done.
 
I don't quite understand why you have agreed to provide them with another tyre given they have changed yours to a lesser brand, none of this really makes sense.

Either way get the lot back and go elsewhere.
 
simonlpearce said:
I don't quite understand why you have agreed to provide them with another tyre given they have changed yours to a lesser brand, none of this really makes sense.

Either way get the lot back and go elsewhere.
Click to expand...

provide him with the correct tyre type for him to replace
Click to expand...

I believe OP is simply giving him the specification rather than the tyre
 
I've given them the correct type (of tyre) to match the other 3 wheels and have agreed to collect it at noon tomorrow.

I have low expectations of it being ready tomorrow TBH. We shall see.

I will attempt to negotiate the wheel and tyre back at nil charge.

My options beyond that seem to be small claims & social media/online reviews etc. Oh and to then take it to somewhere more trustworthy fro a proper refurb!
 
Sounds about right for your options. If you go down the court route you are advised to give them an opportunity to rectify the issue. If they don't then you can go somewhere else and charge them the cost. Fingers crossed.
 
What a nightmare....

As above diamond finish are few and far between and cheapest I have found it over £125 per corner.
 
Well I popped in at lunchtime as I'd said I would to collect the wheel.

To my surprise I was asked if i wanted the tyre fitted, to which I said no.

I was then presented with a brand new tyre and my wheel - and yes it is my wheel :-)

And no charge, or suggestion of a charge, something of a change of heart from the manager!

So, off to the place I should have used in the first place on Saturday!
 
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