It was time to replace the rear tires on my car. I ordered the tires, took my wheels off the car, and spent an hour or so last Saturday polishing them all up to get prepared for the season. I took them to a local tire shop to have them change the tires on Monday. I made it perfectly clear to tell them if they could not do it, I would find someone else. They assured me they could change them. I went to pick them up, they were covered in a bunch of black grime. I didn't say much (which I regret now), just said I got to clean and polish them up again, but at least the tires were changed. Got them home, and started to clean them. That's when I noticed they gouged both rims severely to the point they would need to be replaced. I have no idea what they were doing, but they destroyed my wheels. I took them back and showed the manager. He agreed, but then said he was at my mercy and asked what I wanted. I said, I took him perfect wheels, and I should have them returned that way, so I said they need to be replaced. He refused and said he would make a couple calls and get back to me the next day. Well, today is Friday and I heard nothing.
I contacted several companies to see if they can be repaired, but none get back to me. It will take several weeks to get new ones - over $500 each too.
So now, I think I am going to turn it into my insurance company and let them do the fight. It's just so aggravating.
I have Grundy. They were very good to me when I broke my transmission over 7 hours away (Des Moines). With the towing and trip interruption coverage, got the car home safe with no out of pocket extra expenses.
I have a set of nostalgia wheels that are not replaceable. Not unless I pay a custom casting company to make new ones. When I get tires I stand there and watch the guy or take my business elsewhere..
This happens a lot, unfortunately. Document the conversation and date start getting, take pictures of the damage hopefully there some of before then get prepared to end up in court. Remain calm, don't make threats, if he doesn't make it right and the insurance doesn't cover shop damaged goods then the only recourse is to sue. This should come as a surprise to the shop don't tip this hand. After all any shop owner that passes this crap off on their customers shouldn't be surprised at the out come.
These rims are gouged and tore up, not just some scuff marks. Almost all around the lip on both rims are just torn up! Rims are 15/14, and even on the inside (dish area), they must have been prying or dropping things on them. Its just horrible!! I guess the centers could be cut out and put on new hoops, otherwise these would require welding and refinishing. How well would that come out for a high polished wheel???
Grundy is actually a portion of another company. Philadelphia Insurance is the actual carrier. I work for a fairly big insurance company and we also have many company names. This is not a huge claim at all. If they replace them both, it would be about 14-1500 when all done. They will just subrogate the tire shop and this would be covered under a comp loss.
They usually have that changer on sale for $34.99 (Coupon # 47918095 expires 4/4/'16)... but it will also require careful cushioning to prevent damage when using beadbreaker on nice wheels...
There is a tire place here in town that we use that has the most amazing tire mounting machine I have ever seen. We can send over freshly painted wheels and they will mount tires without any damage, that sucker is awesome!
I had a tire shop damage my 15 wide ConvoPros on my prostreet Nova, they said no problem, do them all the time. They denied doing it, said they were like that when they got them. They danced an air wrench around the inside. This was a large well known company. They also had never heard of stick-on weights.
Damaging a wheel with a tire machine these days is pure BS. Even my little corner service station has a "no touch" machine, the only part of the machine that touches the rim is the clamps that grab the rim on the back side. At no time during the removal do the arms touch the rim. The only only way it could touch less would be if the rim and tire floated in mid air.
You've got it documented, and the only way you're gonna be happy is if the rims are replaced. Go buy new rims and present them with the bill. If they refuse, take them to court, and make sure to add on payment for your time that you spent rectifying their F-up.
This was just one little spot. Both rims are covered in damage. I am a car builder, so this is not just someone ranting about a scuff. Several areas on the lips are damaged into the lip over 1/2 way. Deep pitted dents in the dished part too. That is not going to sand out and be straight. Car is much more than a $75,000 car, so yes, it has to be right, not just somewhat close.
I am a car builder, so this is not just someone ranting about a scuff. Car is much more than a $75,000 car, so yes, it has to be right, not just somewhat close.
Update: Insurance company told me they will just replace the wheels - no problem and to keep all info for any expenses. I ordered new wheels yesterday and also found a local service shop that has the right machine and tools to do the wheels. He said these will be no problem and couldn't believe the damage that was done to my wheels - said that was just crazy what they did to the rims.
All is good, just waiting for new rims to be made and shipped out.
I got my new wheels last Friday - tires where changed. Found a good guy that knew how to handle them. Not a mark made on the wheels. Picked them up, they were all cleaned and ready to go. Ready for the car show season.
As I stated in my original post, the wheels were covered in grime. I did bring this to their attention and they understood me. When I returned, they did not deny they caused the damage either. I have used this shop many times, so they knew me well.
Good luck, not necessary. It's all done and taken care of.
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